I always remember Pastor Alford saying, “Absent from the body, present with the Lord.” He had a major influence over my life and helped me understand reformed theology and growing as a Christian. So much so that my husband, daughter and I are Presbyterians to this day. We miss him and look forward to seeing him and his beloved wife, Diana in Heaven one day. 

Our condolences to Peter, MaryBeth, Mark and Amy and all your family members during this time of grieving from Tom & Anne Farnum & family. Thank you for sharing Pastor Alford/Mike with all of us !! You all did such a great job honoring him today at his memorial service ! – He would have been thrilled and so pleased ! We praise God for Pastor Mike ! – He was a fantastic pastor to both of our families and to us, as well as to our own children growing up. We all feel a profound loss, and there was an audible Awww! when we heard the news of his relocation to heaven. We were in high school when Mike came back to 1st Pres – We remember MaryBeth was in her cast! He ministered to both our families during many joys and some challenging times. We will always be thankful he led Tom’s Dad to Christ and was at his bedside years later singing when Dad passed on to heaven. Mike guided us as teens, married us with Dr. Mekeel, and pastored us as young (and older) marrieds. He “saved” our wedding plans, graciously convincing Dr. Mekeel it was OK to have the several songs we wanted. We have so many great memories of him, including having a lot of fun with him when we led Theta trips together (and enjoyed Andy & Peter in Thetas as well !) Also while volunteering in many ministry opportunities led by Mike at 1st Pres !! What a great pastor, servant, & person - and what a great legacy he leaves !! Praying for you all and comforted knowing that Mike is now seeing Jesus face to face and catching up with Diana and Andy and the many others that welcomed him home. With love to you all.

All of the Rydbeck family gives thank to our gracious God for Rev. Michael “Mike” Alford. He lovingly performed our family weddings, visited our hospital beds, prayed with us, shepherded us and preached the Gospel at family funerals. Personally - I praise the Lord for using Mike to prepare me for the pastoral ministry. It was my humble privilege to labor at FPC Schenectady as the Christian Ed and Youth director from 1984-1989. Before I went to Reformed Theological Seminary in Jackson, MS in 1989, Mike patiently mentored me and modeled the love of a shepherd for the sheep. He brought me to session meetings, to hospitals, to funeral homes and allowed me to test my spiritual gifts as a preacher. I learned more from Mike about the pastoral ministry than all my seminary classes combined. Mike loved the Lord Jesus Christ. He faithfully preached God’s Word. He prayed with and for God’s people. He laughed with them, cried with them and always pointed them to Christ. I still remember Mike reading Psalm 27 to our family, just before my dad went home to glory - “One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD and to enquire in His temple” (Psalm 27:4 KJV). 

So many great memories with Pastor Alford-the most special that he counseled and married us at First Pres-looking forward to celebrating his life and that he is with the Lord during service in Schenectady on the 14th-Chris and Jenny Jewell (Sluiter)

I was heartbroken when I heard the news of Michael's passing.

Dad with Mark Clough

Dad's 80th birthday

Dad's 80th birthday

I am grateful for the Reverend Michael R Alford, a pastor, mentor and friend. Pastor Alford was an incredible pastor. His passion and posture in preaching is something that influences me when I preach. He taught me more about being a pastor than any pastor I’ve every had. He taught me how to love the very difficult. He taught me to love God’s word and value God’s place in history both ancient and contemporary. He was an amazing mentor. He taught me how to mentor other pastors, and whatever good has come from their ministries is not to my credit, but to his. I’ve only passed along what he so generously gave me. When I train pastors in seminary, I continue to do the same—sharing what he shared with me and gladly naming him in my lectures. He believed in me when I had trouble believing in myself. There is a statement he made to me in one of our mentoring sessions that was very meaningful and touching. I still think about that statement today and it still amazes me how prescient it was (something I’d gladly share with Mary and Peter if they want to know). He was a friend. There are many reasons I consider him my friend thought I’ve never considered myself worthy of being called his friend. The first is, he called me friend and treated me like I was his friend. Second, we shared a fondness that can be described as friends and did what friends did, shared meals, time with family, and time together enjoying a mutual hobby. I know I will see him again, but the emptiness I feel is palpable. Which is odd, since we lived so far away from each other. I miss him terribly and have an enduring a sadness that will not go away until I see him again in heaven. Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for Mike, my friend, mentor, and pastor. Amen.

We are so sorry for the loss of Uncle Michael. He was a beloved brother-in-law to my late mother. He has moved on from this earth to his reward.

Michael’s 80th birthday and family reunion — with Michael Alford

It is with great fondness to remember Pastor Mike during our time at First Pres reminiscing on our own individual spiritual growth as well as the great Church growth that occurred under his kind & compassionate leadership.  The time period from 1988-2001 was a time of incredible growth & working of the Holy Spirit at First Pres individually & collectively to the extent of which we have not personally experienced again to this very day.  What we learned from his leadership, his faith in Jesus Christ and his indefatigable caring for people created a foundation for our Christian life that we carry to this very day.  He will be missed by all who knew him.  

This photo captures Mike teaching his group of kids during our VBS program one summer. He had long since "retired" but when he found out that we had a great need for group leaders he volunteered. What a privilege those kids had to have him lead them that week. He did such a good job with them.

God has been so real & comforting to all our families. What a blessing  to all.

We should hunger and thirst to know God and all of his character, and with God‘s help seek to be all that God wants us to be.

Pastor Mike has been a part of our congregation for the past five years, but in the truest sense he was my pastor. Right up until he lost his words, Mike was asking about my family and me. My visits with him enriched me with his wisdom as much as I ever encouraged him. Whenever we saw each other, he had a warm hug for me, and every couple of weeks I would receive an encouraging note in the mail. Mike personified a pastor’s heart in every way, right up to the end. He was like a father to me. 

My life has been immeasurably enriched by Mike Alford, and I miss him terribly already. My longing for heaven is that much stronger now that he is there. 

I’m praying for deep comfort for his amazing family, rooted in our risen Lord.

Thank you, Mike, for showing me the heart of a shepherd. I love you, and I’ll see you on the other side.

Words cannot express the light that has gone out in our world but is now shining brightly in Heaven. Pastor Alford was our family pastor and saw my family through many high and low points, always showing the love of Jesus. He was accepting, caring, and humble—an amazing example of the Fruit of the Spirit. 

My thoughts and prayers are with his family still on this side of Glory. I know the hole left for his family and many of us is huge but, as Mike would say, our God is the God of all comfort. 

Pastor Alford’s voice after my father died was the most comforting sound ❤️ 

Mike always greeted me with a big hug and a smile all across his face! He was at Gordon seminary when I was at the college. My friend and I once sang at his church in the Boston area. Diana was my counselor at Camp Pattersonville!!!Mike was the director! At Elmer Elementary I taught his grandson Sammy! Mike would pick him up sometimes!!! It was the highlight of my day! I have had many great times with him!!! He was filled with God’s love!!! I will miss writing to him! He lived  a faithful life to our Lord and Savior!

Pastor Alford was one of the most godly men I have ever known.  I truly loved and respected him.  While I didn’t attend First Pres., he was on the Board of Schenectady Christian School where I worked for 12 years.  His wisdom and spiritual direction, leading the school, helped to grow the school’s reputation all over New York State into a well known and respected school with very high Christian values.  I can just hear the angels rejoicing as Jesus welcomes him with “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

I'm so grateful for having served as his friend and pastor in Schenectady after he retired.  Though he was often preaching elsewhere, when he was home it was always a joy to see him back in the congregation at First Presbyterian Church.  He was a faithful friend and encourager to me in my ministry there.  It was a joy to have him in the pulpit with me on numerous occasions, including our Christmas Eve candlelight services.  His greatest legacy is the countless souls he brought to know Jesus as Savior, and the spiritual growth they experienced under his loving pastoral care.

He was devoted to the Lord and was so good to us, as Ray was on his staff. We almost never saw him without a suit and tie, because he lived "girded up", ready to do whatever the Lord led.  Such a godly man. 

As a teenager, I remember having dinner at our house with Mike and another friend who were young single engineers that my parents took pity on and invited for a home cooked meal...they were thrilled!  Little did I know that an engineer would become one of the most precious and influential spiritual mentors in our lives as a young married couple in the 1970's!  Randy and I have been blessed beyond measure by Mike's ministry and friendship!

What an amazing life and a warmhearted, generous and intelligent man. My condolences.