<b>Visitations</b> <p>Friday, January 4, 2008 from 4-8 p.m.</p> <b>Services</b> <p>11 am on Sat., Jan. 5, from the chapel of the funeral home</p> <b>Cemetery</b> <p>He will be laid to rest in the spring in Mt. View Memorial Gardens, town of Little Falls.</p> <b>Obituary</b> <p>HERKIMER-Mr. Alfred George "Gootch" Oldfield, 87, of E. German St., passed away on Tuesday, January 1, 2008, peacefully in his home in the presence of his family. He was born on December 1, 1920 in Herkimer, son of the late Andrew and Jennie May (Seeds) Oldfield and graduated from Herkimer High School. Gootch often recalled his favorite pastime during his early years roller skating to big band music at the Richfield Springs skating rink. He furthered his education attending Alfred University. In the spring of 1942, Mr. Oldfield enlisted with the U.S. Coast Guard serving as a sonar man on the U.S.S. Selstrum, based in Sandy Hook, New Jersey. As a destroyer escort, the Selstrum made numerous trips to North Africa and Europe during World War II. He was honorably discharged on February 21, 1946. He was united in Holy Matrimony to his wife of 55- years, the former Lois Brown in Herkimer at St. Francis de Sales Church on June 21, 1952. His last employment was with the New York State Department of Transportation where he was a rigger on a maintenance crew for the Barge Canal for thirty years, retiring in 1975. Gootch was at one time employed by Remington Arms and the paper mill. He also worked part-time for Herkimer Wood Products, owned by his brother, Bill, and continued working there for many years after his retirement. He was active in the community holding memberships with the Herkimer Elk's Lodge #1439 and was selected as ?Elk of the Year? in the early 1980?s. He also belonged to the East Herkimer Fish and Game Club. Gootch especially enjoyed cooking for the hog roast and steak dinners. He was an avid card player and enjoyed gardening and coin collecting. In his retirement he and his wife Lois enjoyed golfing and casino trips with friends and family vacations to Disney World. Survivors include his wife Lois of Herkimer; six children: Kerry Oldfield and wife Angeline of Herkimer, Sherry Cunningham and husband Jed of Glen Mills, Pa., Terrence Oldfield and wife Pamela of Herkimer, Debra Hall and husband Randy of Ilion, Darlene Oldfield and friend Lani Schramm of Englewood, Fl., and Randy Oldfield and wife Sandy of Herkimer; a brother: Charles Oldfield and wife Shirley of Little Falls; his cherished grandchildren: Kerry Oldfield and wife Melissa, Martha and Laura Oldfield, Tara and Terrence Oldfield, Brett and Matt Hall, Michael Cunningham, Brandon, Alexis, and Aleah Oldfield; many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by a son: Alfred George Oldfield, Jr. and by his siblings: Clara Lincourt, William Oldfield, Evelyn Spencer, Vernon ?Duke? Oldfield and Geraldine Engert. There will be calling hours at the Enea Family Funeral Home, 220 N. Washington St., Herkimer, on Friday, January 4, 2008 from 4-8 p.m. Mr. Oldfield's funeral will commence at 11 am on Sat., Jan. 5, from the chapel of the funeral home with the Rev. Mark Cunningham officiating. In lieu of floral tributes, kindly consider memorial contributions to the St. Francis Regional Catholic School or to the Central New York Association of the Blind and Visually Impaired, 507 Kent St., Utica, NY 13599; envelopes and donations may be made at the funeral home. He will be laid to rest in the spring in Mt. View Memorial Gardens, town of Little Falls, where military honors will be offered. Members of the Herkimer Elk?s Lodge will conduct a service at 6:30 p.m. in the funeral home on Friday evening. A special thank you is extended to Cindy Reles of Bassett Healthcare, Cooperstown for the kindness and compassion offered. </p>