Allison J. Stafford — NORFOLK - Allison John Stafford, 88, passed away peacefully in Lake Taylor Transitional Care Hospital August 8, 2007. Born June 11, 1919, he was the son of the late Jay Douglas Stafford and Margaret Day Stafford. After attending Cornell University, Allison joined the Army and served in World War II as a member of Battle Group 396. It was during this tour of duty in Germany that he met and married his wife, Gladys Abineri. The couple made their home in Norfolk, Virginia, where they raised a daughter, Elizabeth.

Allison served as a field director in the American Red Cross for 37 years. His job took him around the world to places including the Marshall Islands, Germany, France, Vietnam and Saudi Arabia. He helped to develop the life-saving program for the seven Mercury astronauts who trained at Little Creek Amphibious Base. He served two tours of duty in Vietnam and was instrumental in having the family of his Vietnamese secretary airlifted to the United States during the fall of Saigon.

Allison was the founder of the local Gator Volksmarching Club and a member of the St John's United Methodist Church. He was an avid photographer and gardener who enjoyed sharing this photos and beautiful flowers with his many neighbors and friends.