Wilbur D. "Al" Albert

Wilbur D. “Al” Albert, Tallahassee, passed away at home on May 12, 2015, after a brave fight with leukemia. He was 81. Al was born in Wyandotte, Michigan to the late Helene K. and Waldemar F. Albert. He graduated from Romeo High School in 1952, where he excelled in sports and played football, basketball and baseball. He attended Wayne State University before being drafted into the Army in 1956. When he was honorably discharged in 1958, he began work in mortgage financing. Later, he took a job in the home building industry, beginning a training program with National Homes, in Lafayette, Indiana. In 1961, he married the love of his life, Karen Frances Miller. They moved to Tallahassee in 1962, where he began a life-long career in construction and real estate development. During his life, he developed and constructed numerous residential and commercial projects throughout North Florida and South Georgia. In 1976, Al was appointed as the FHA, HUD and VA Compliance Inspector for North Florida and South Georgia. He continued to enjoy this work until several weeks before his death. His love of building and construction also extended to his spare time. He was a master woodworker and made beautiful, handcrafted furniture for his family and friends. Al was a member of St. John’s Episcopal Church, a former member of The Advisory Board for Tallahassee Community College, former member of the Mayor’s Counsel Community Project, past Chairman/Board Member of the Tallahassee-Leon County Planning Commission, past President/Board Member of The Tallahassee Builders Association; a member of J. Edwin Larson Lodge and the Shrine Club. Al was well known for his big, outgoing personality, always-positive attitude, and great sense of humor. He was a truly devoted family man, spending many years making wonderful memories with his wife and children at their house at St. Teresa, boating, fishing and cooking delicious seafood. His children and grandchildren were the focus of his life and his pride and joy. Al lived life to the fullest and remained energetic, young at heart, and fun-loving all his years. He will be terribly missed by all who knew him. He is survived by his loving wife of 53 years: Karen; four children: Dr. Vincent M. Albert (Nancy), York, Maine; Kara Albert Davis (Moss), Atlanta, Georgia; Sabra Albert Nickas (Bill), Anderson, S.C.; and Peter T. Albert, Atlanta, Georgia; as well as nine grandchildren who loved their “Papa”: Hannah Lillian Albert; Eli Miller Albert, Joseph Capozzi Albert, Moss Claiborne Davis, Garrett Miller Davis, Elizabeth Easton Davis, Eleni Frances Nickas, George William Nickas and Peter Gates Nickas. The family will receive friends at Bevis Funeral Home on Sunday, May 31st from 3-5 p.m. and will gather at St. John’s Episcopal Church on Monday, June 1st at 2 p.m. for a memorial service and celebration of his life. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. John’s Episcopal Church or Big Bend Hospice. Susie Mozolic of Bevis Funeral Home is assisting the family with their arrangements. (www.bevisfh.com 850-385-2193)

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Wilbur D. "Al" Albert

November 19, 1933 - May 12, 2015