Obituary of Alvin F. Sweet

Alvin Fred Sweet of Rush, New York passed away peacefully on January 25th, 2026, at the age of 93.

Al was born on November 16th, 1932, at Highland Hospital in Rochester, New York to Fred and Mary (Burchill) Sweet. He was raised on Winton Road near East Avenue in the City of Rochester. He graduated from Monroe High School Class of 1950 and went on to earn a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Rochester Institute of Technology. Al worked at General Railway Signal for 33 ½ years and Goldwell of N.Y. for another 23 years.

Al moved to Rush, New York when his parents bought a farm on Jeffords Road. He Joined the Rush Fire Department on May 5th, 1952, and was still a member at the time of his passing. During his 73 plus years in the fire service he held many positions including Lieutenant, Assistant Chief, and Fire Chief from 1968 to 1974. He was a member of the Board of Directors for decades until December 2025. Al served as a Rush Fire District Commissioner for 40 years, many of those years he served as Chairman of the Board. He served the Monroe County Fire Bureau as a Deputy Fire Coordinator for the 5th Battalion for several years, is a Past President of the Monroe County Fire Chiefs Association, served on the Monroe County Fire Advisory Board, was a member of the Monroe County Volunteer Fireman's Association, member of the Western N.Y. Volunteer Fireman's Association, member of the Fireman's Association of the State of N.Y., member of the Genesee Valley Chapter of SPAAMFAA, served as a parade judge with the Western N.Y. Judges Association. Al loved a good firefighter's parade, especially the music!

Al was Active in the Rush United Methodist Church since 1956 and served as a trustee and was a longtime usher. He was also a longtime member of the Rush Republican Committee. Al was dedicated to everything he participated in, he felt it was important to be involved to make the community a better place to live.

Al is predeceased by his parents Fred and Mary Sweet, his brother Alan Sweet and sister-in-law Lois Sweet, and granddaughter Amanda Volkman.

Al is survived by his loving wife and best friend for over 67 years Nancy McManis Sweet; his sons - Donald, Brian, Dale (Heidi), and James (Christine) Sweet, his six grandchildren, and eight great grandchildren, several nieces and nephews, cousins and his Rush Fire Department family.

A special thank you to Al's care givers at Highland Hospital and the Jewish Home of Rochester.

Friends & family may call from 3-5pm and 6-8pm on Tuesday February 3, 2026, at the Rush United Methodist Church, 6200 Rush Lima Road, Rush New York 14543 where his funeral service will take place at 11:00 am on Wednesday, February 4. Burial will take place at Pine Hill Cemetery. If you would like to make a donation in Al's memory, in lieu of flowers, they can be directed to the Rush Fire Department or the Rush United Methodist Church.