Walter Alfred Albone's Obituary
Walter Alfred Albone was born on June 24, 1937 in Sault Sainte Marie, Michigan. He wasn’t famous by society’s standards. He never wrote a book, nor changed the world with an invention. But to the people who knew and loved him he was unforgettable. He was born to Webster Alfred Albone and Clara Albertha (Walter) Albone. He had a very close relationship with his parents. A relationship that grew stronger through adulthood. When Walter was five years old, he and his family moved to Great Falls, Montana. In Great Falls, he recalls a favorite memory that he has written in a letter. “I was seven years old at the time and had been staying at my grandmother’s house for the past week. My mother was in the hospital and my dad had to work everyday, so my two sisters and I had to stay at grandmother’s house. The date was July 6, 1944 and we were all waiting impatiently for that phone to ring. My dad was to take my mother home from the hospital that day and then call us and come pick us up. I was very restless. I couldn’t eat anything all day and I didn’t want to go out and play or do anything. I just wanted to go home. My grandmother was very patient with me and tried very hard to make things pleasant, but when you are seven and want something very bad nothing else matters. Finally, at 12:15p.m. the phone rang and dad said he was coming to get my sisters and I to take us home. My grandmother tried to stop me at the door, but I got away from her and the whole two miles home. When I arrived home, I burst into the house and said, “Hi mom, where is my baby brother?” There, lying in his crib was my very own baby brother who had been born on the fourth of July. I was the proudest seven year old boy who had ever lived.” Walter had a special bond with each of his siblings – six brothers and five sisters. The eldest, Edwin Nordman, was killed in Germany during World War II and Walter Nordman – whom he was named after – died at a young age. He was also preceeded in death by Art Albone, Kenneth Albone, Connie Albone, Joann (Albone) McPherson and Ann (Albone) Smith. Currently his brother, John Nordman is living in Washington, Norman Albone in Northern California, Louise D’Agostino and Regina “Toots” Nordman Cooper in Missouri. Throughout the years, all of them have geographically moved apart – scattered throughout the United States. Their reunions were filled with laughter, tears and cards. He loved each one of them very much… At the age of fifteen, Walt and his family moved to Ocean Beach, California. There, he attended Pt. Loma High School and was a graduate of the class of 1955. After graduating high school, Walt met Susan and their wedding soon followed. During that time period, he graduated from City College. He was married to Susan for seven years. During that time they shared many joyous memories. However, they had each came to the conclusion that they would be happier apart. Walt had many professions and “super” titles in his lifetime. He was a “Super husband”… While working at Benbough’s Furniture Company, he met the next and the last Mrs. Albone. After months of convincing her to go on a date, she finally was persuaded to accept. He married Myra Jane Kennel September 3, 1967. In the forty-two years of their marriage they couldn’t have asked for a better partner or companion. They defined true love.He was also a “Super Teacher”… Walt obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree from San Diego State University on June 9, 1972, and his teaching credential specializing in English and Drama. He worked for the Sweetwater and Chula Vista school districts for the next thirty years, retiring in June of 2002. He had touched many of his students lives and many will not forget Mr. Albone. Many of the family will remember him as Uncle Walt “Super Uncle”. He was blessed with a large family and many nieces and nephews. If he had any favorites no one could tell because he treated each one as his favorite. He was more than an uncle – he was a father figure and friend. He obtained many nicknames throughout his seventy-two years… Sonny, Big AL, Johnny Casino, Screeching Eagle… just to name a few. He enjoyed taking trips to local casinos and devotedly played the California lottery for years. He may have never hit the “big” jackpot, but to Walt he had won the lottery with such a wonderful wife and family. March 18, 1983 marked another momentous date for Walter where he obtained the title “Super Dad”. In a letter to his daughter he explains his feelings on this day, “Your mother and I began our lives together on September 3, 1967. We shared many happy times and many sad times and we were always there for each other. Our love has endured and become stronger through everything we have shared… We have had a good life together but something very important was missing… We could not understand why God was denying us the joy of having a child in our lives… The phone call came at 5:05p.m. from a man named Wally Nugent. “Congratulations Walt. You have an eight-pound, twenty-two inch beautiful baby girl.” When I hung up the phone I cried, I laughed and thanked God. Your mother and I had our prayers answered at last… When I saw you that night at 7:00 p.m. through the window of the hospital, I knew that God had planned for you to be my daughter” He named her Kelli Anne – named after many people that he loved. The next years that followed were comprised with dance classes, cheerleading practices and sports competitions. Walt walked his little girl down the aisle December 26, 2003 – a promise he made to her when she was a little girl. He danced at her wedding, as well as many other weddings in his past. Lastly, he was proud to be called “Super Grandpa”. His grandson, Travis Jesse Smith was born on December 31, 2004. A proud day for Walt – he finally had his boy. Two years later, Abigail Jane followed on August 7, 2006. Many might say that holding his grandchildren was his greatest accomplishment in his lifetime. During the winter of 2007, his health started to deteriorate. Nearly two years later, after fighting as long as he could, he went up to that “Big Classroom in the Sky” on November 7, 2009 Many would characterize Walt as having an ordinary life, but Walter Alfred Albone was not an ordinary man. He might not have made a fortune, but he was rich in love and family.Arrangements under the direction of Greenwood Memorial Park and Mortuary, 4300 Imperial Avenue. San Diego, California.
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