Dr. Alfred Verner Persson

Dr. Alfred Verner Persson, age 87, passed away on Monday, April 8, 2024 at the Lahey Hospital in Burlington, MA, his “happy place” where he spent many years of his distinguished career as a vascular surgeon. As a devoted husband, father, grandfather, physician, mentor, and passionate lifelong learner and creator, he lived a remarkable life.

Al was born on July 9, 1936 in Syracuse, NY to the late Dr. Robert and Marian (Wilner) Persson. He was raised in the rural Adirondack communities of Newton Falls and Star Lake, NY, where his father served as the doctor for the nearby Benson Mine and the surrounding community, seeing patients at his office inside the family home. The eldest of three children, Al followed in his father’s footsteps, graduating pre-med from Syracuse University and continuing on to McGill School of Medicine in Montreal. He served as a captain in the U.S. Air Force Medical Service from 1963 to 1965, stationed in Fort Worth, TX. He trained in general surgery at Charity Hospital LSU and at the Lahey Clinic in Boston, and returned to LSU as chief resident. He then completed a fellowship in vascular surgery at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas, and was recruited back to the Lahey Clinic to establish a vascular surgery program. Al was a frequent speaker at medical conferences around the globe, and a sought-after mentor who helped launch 27 of his lab technicians into medical school.

Al made many important decisions over the course of his life, but he and all who knew him would attest that the best one he ever made was marrying his high school sweetheart, May Susan Eileen Vickers, on August 24, 1957 in Wanakena, NY. Over their 66 years of marriage, Al and May raised four red-headed daughters, moved over 20 times, visited over 20 countries, and touched countless lives. The home they created together and lived in the longest in Wellesley, MA, known to many as "The Persson Pub and Inn," hosted friends, family, exchange students, and colleagues from around the globe, and was the site of countless birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, and north of 1,000 tennis matches.

Al was not one to slow down in retirement. An early adopter of computers and a model advocate of lifelong learning, he earned a degree in graphic design from Gibbs College, and honed his creative writing craft through courses at Regis College. To stay connected to his young grandchildren, he launched “Grandpa’s Newsletter”, a regular mailing covering any topic “Popa” found fascinating and worthy of sharing, including his own original fiction. Word spread, the newsletter acquired hundreds of subscribers of all ages, and Al published over 500 issues over the course of three decades, as well as a book of 50 favorite columns in 2020.

When he wasn’t at the computer, Al enjoyed “creating in the kitchen” (a.k.a. cooking), caring for his tropical fish, and mentoring elementary and high school students. He was a member of the Retired Men’s Association of Boston/Metrowest, and an active volunteer at the Wellesley Hills Congregational Church. He was an accomplished photographer and sculptor. And he loved to tell a story.

In addition to his wife May, Al is survived by his four daughters, Tuula Rodgers (Tom) of Arlington, TX; Christine Froehlich (James) of Ann Arbor, MI; Marian Flinchbaugh (Troy) of Benbrook, TX; and Ruth Persson of Wellesley, MA; and five grandchildren, William “Whit” (Katherine Szocik), Ben, and Max Froehlich; and Anna (Cha Tori) and Erin Flichbaugh. He also leaves his sister, Sally Chillington of Norristown, PA; eight nieces and nephews, and many other relatives and friends, including Michael Cummings. In addition to his parents, Al was predeceased by his brother, George Persson.

Services will be held on Saturday, April 27, 2024 at 11:00 AM at Wellesley Hills Congregational Church, 207 Washington Street, Wellesley, MA, with a reception to follow. There will be no calling hours. Burial will be private. Contributions in Al’s memory may be made to Wellesley Hills Congregational Church or to the Wellesley Free Library.

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