Peacefully, on Wednesday, October 16, 2024 at Foyer Richelieu, Welland, ON at age 95. Loving brother of Sister Juliana, Margaret (Roy) Crest, Bill (Elizabeth), Roger (Alice) and James (Jim). Cherished uncle of Beckett (Greg) Csanig, as well as many other nieces and nephews. Predeceased by his parents Antal & Barbara, sisters & brothers Mary (Marcel) Martineau, Antol (Arden), Barbara and Rose (Bill).
The family will welcome friends on Monday, October 21, 2024 from 4 – 7 p.m. at Lampman Funeral Home, 724 Canboro Rd., Fenwick, ON. Vigil prayers will be said at 6:00 p.m. Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, October 22nd, 2024 at St. Ann’s Roman Catholic Church, 834 Canboro Rd., Fenwick at 11:00 a.m. Rite of committal at Maple Lawn Cemetery, Wainfleet. Luncheon to be served at St. Ann’s Church, following the interment.
Uncle Al was good to me whenever I visited and called him, mostly in the ’70’s and ’80’s, before a long chain of family caregiving took my focus elsewhere. His brother Tony was like an older twin by humor and love of nature, both highly intelligent. Al’s garden was his pride – the only one I’d ever seen with horseradish – and his home a simple place that could’ve been transplanted from pioneer days in Kenora. He was always gentle in poise, and loved a good laugh..
Al had a lot of seemingly crazy notions all stirred up with solid ideas, making it impossible to ever know whether he was pulling your leg or suffering cabin fever. This is a feature, not a defect: Al was unique, and in that, reminded us not to tether ourselves to social acceptability, lest we lose our own definition entirely. He had true freedom of belief, something far more scarce in this world than is needed.
Despite living alone and not marrying or having kids, Al loved family, and was a regular at our family reunions. There, he might find himself chatting with anyone, as he was quite adept at casual conversation. I remember doing errands with him in town and there he was, being congenial and humorous with everyone in his dealings, young or old, even strangers, exercising his charm fluidly.
And therein is the contrast of Uncle Al: He was a sociable loner.
Sadly missing those long, wandering telephone calls, which went from nowhere to nowhere, with everywhere between. Rest in peace, Al. And say hi to Tony for me.