Fall, 2023
Somerdale Voice
13
The Story of Life Long Somerdale Resident Alfred Edward Hulme Jr. Told By His Daughters, Dixie Lee Hulme, and Darleene Hulme Alfred Edward Hulme Jr., born September 9, 1920 in Somerdale (in the house next to the old Peppino’s Restaurant) to Alfred Edward Hulme Sr. and Hilda (Kinsley) Hulme. Al was the second oldest child of four, Hilda, Alfred, John, and Robert. He attended the Somerdale No. 1 School and only went until the 8th grade. Being born with only one arm, he was shy around people he didn’t know. He loved to play baseball, swim, water ski, golf, and draw. He also played football as a kid on the once open field on Maiden Lane and Hilltop Avenue. He married Magdalena Enderie in November of 1941. They had four children, Nancy Lee, Alfred Nicholas, Darlene, and Dixie Lee. As a family, we wouldn’t go out to eat dinner due to too many people staring at him, so we would order pizza out every Friday night and have Mr Softie afterwards. Most of our family outings were to the Martinique, the Golf Farm, and water skiing on the Delaware River. Before the station was built, my dad worked as an errand boy in Philly. He rode the 51-61 bus from the White Horse Pike into Philadelphia along with his father and his Uncle Bob, who worked at the Philadelphia Inquirer, and Uncle Jake who worked for the TV Guide. They all rode the bus until the Speedline came along in 1969.
Camden County Historical Alliance dedicates the month of October as History Month. As a member of the CCHA, the Somerdale Historical Society along with Letter 8 Media Co. has put together a collection of videos for everyone to enjoy. Take a virtual tour of Somerdale with video and stories about our past.
In Memoriam: Stephanie Ramage- McGee On June 28, 2023 the Somerdale Historical Society lost a member and a dear friend. Stephanie knew so many, from her time as a crossing guard and matron for the Somerdale Police Department, and attendance officer for Sterling High School. She was always active in her community as a volunteer, and made many friends and memories over the years. We were very fortunate to have her as a member of the Historical Society to share those memories. Our dear friend, you will always be remembered. God Bless
He also played baseball as well. He played for the Somerdale Athletic Club and was known as the one armed pitcher. He was offered to join a semi pro team but chose to have his own business and be a family man. Al continued to play baseball until 1953.
The station was built on the corner of the White Horse Pike and Fairview Avenue in 1947 by my dad and my grandfather. My grandfather (Alfred Hulme Sr.) helped my dad build that station physically and financially so my dad would have a lifetime business. It was not easy being a man with one arm to have his dreams come true. The station was a Texaco, then changed to Al’s Save Sum. This was the place that people brought their TV’s to be fixed and cars to be repaired and painted. The Dragmasters repaired their cars at the garage. As you drive up, your car ran over a rubber wire setting off a bell. That would let my dad know he had a customer. My dad built a tubeless tire before any were invented. He was a man of many traits. A wonderful artist, carpenter and a jack of all trades. His motto was “Don’t throw it out, fix it”. My dad was well known in town as an honest and wonderful friend to many, a family man and a lifelong resident of Somerdale. He retired in the fall of 1980. Bartons Radiator stands at that location today. Alfred Edward Hulme Jr. passed away January 5, 1991 and is buried in the Berlin Cemetery, Berlin, NJ.
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