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PLEASANTVILLE, N.Y. Thomas F. Ahrensfeld of Pleasantville and Vero Beach, Fla., died Tuesday, May 29. He was 88.
Ahrensfeld was born June 30, 1923, in Brooklyn to Frederick and Madeline Moffett Ahrensfeld. He attended Manual Training High School in Brooklyn and Brooklyn College.
Ahrensfeld was a veteran of World War II, serving as first lieutenant in the 1st Combat Cargo Group in the U.S. Army Air Forces. He flew "the Hump" regularly in the winter of 1944, providing supplies to British and West African troops along the Arakan front in Burma. He piloted one of the last C-47 cargo planes participating in the evacuation of Kweilin and Luichow in China.
After the war, Ahrensfeld attended Columbia Law School and graduated with honors. He practiced law at Conboy, Hewitt, O'Brien and Boardman and then joined Philip Morris as corporate secretary. He later became senior vice president, general counsel and a member of the board of directors before retiring in 1989.
Ahrensfeld was a member of the Pleasantville Presbyterian Church. He was also a member of the Daniel P. Hays Hose Company in the Pleasantville Volunteer Fire Department, the New York Athletic Club, John's Island Club in Vero Beach and Mount Kisco Country Club.
He enjoyed traveling, playing tennis and golf, and gardening, and was a supporter of the Humane Society of Vero Beach.
He is survived by his wife, Joan McGowan Ahrensfeld; a son, Thomas F. (Rebecca Cornell) Ahrensfeld Jr.; and three grandchildren.
Funeral services and burial were held privately. Beecher Funeral Home is in charge of local arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Humane Society of Vero Beach, P.O. Box 644, Vero Beach, FL 32961.
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