Alan “Al” Joseph L’Haridon was born in small town called Des Ertines in France to Jacqueline and Pierre. Years later, the young family was forced into hiding in nearby cellars in German-occupied France during World War II. They were trapped there for several months when Al’s sister, Yvonne, was born. The family of 4 successfully fled to the United States when Al was just 6 years old. Since no one in his family spoke English, Al learned early how to get things done, serving as the primary translator for the family even before being enrolled in elementary school.

Years later in 1967, feeling a compelling sense of duty, Al enlisted in the United States Army where he would serve as an analyst/programmer at the Pentagon’s Information and Data Systems Command. Letters of commendation note Al’s “timeliness and cheerful responsiveness” as well as, “excellent conduct, appearance and military bearing,” “complete dedication to duty, unlimited technical competence” and “professionalism.” He was honorably discharged from active duty in 1973 after leading a team that would fully automate critical systems within the Department of Defense along with the Pentagon’s library system.

Al first caught a glimpse of Diane while she was checking out a customer at the local A&P grocery store in Oakland, New Jersey. She recalls being stopped in her tracks seeing this tall, handsome young man with dark features strolling into the store with his mother. Soon after, they would begin dating until their fairytale wedding in 1968.

Al maintained constant employment from an early age, attended night school and eventually earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Thomas A. Edison College of New Jersey. At the conclusion of his honorable discharge, he continued a professional career in I.T. in the private sector at Hartford Insurance Company, Philadelphia National Bank and Blue Cross Blue Shield. Diane and Al had two girls together, Claudine and Stephanie, and would move to West Chester, Pennsylvania. After the girls grew up, Diane and Al settled in Mount Airy, Maryland.

Al was insatiably intrigued with how machines worked. He rebuilt cars and small engines, computers, and anything else that needed fixing. He absolutely loved a good flannel, working outdoors, a glass of fine bourbon, model (and real-life) classic cars, listening to Motown, reading Tom Clancy and the Sunday comics, especially The Far Side and Doonesbury, and playing the saxophone. Al was an imposing 6’2” but a tender-loving and fiercely devoted father and husband.

Al is survived by his wife, Diane; and eldest daughter, Claudine Wiant (Michael); sister, Yvonne Schweighardt (Frank); and grandsons, Alan, Andrew, Brent, Justin, and Kevin; as well as a great-granddaughter, Ramona. He is predeceased by his daughter, Stephanie and his parents.

Friends and family are welcome to join us for a memorial service for Alan J. L’Haridon at 2 p.m. on Friday, May 8, 2026 at Stauffer Funeral Home, 8 E. Ridgeville Blvd, Mt. Airy, MD 21771. A private reception will be held following services.