Born, under the wall phone at home in Sullivan Township, to Leslie and Clara (Klages) Albright on January 5, 1932 Louie worked hard all of his life to put bread and butter on his family’s table. Being the oldest of his family, he attended school up until Grade 4 and then stayed home and worked. Lou custom plowed for others, walking behind his team of horses for what became too many years. Louie often joked that he had walked behind a horse for too many years to own his own, yet when his children asked for “Polly” the pony he agreed. Moving from horse and plow to a tractor Lou came to love his 1972 Blue Ford 3000 and his Model 1830 Cockshutt “Annie”.
It wasn’t all work for Louie. At the tender age of 2 he had already met his life’s partner, Barbara Lustig. Barb’s mom and aunt bought cattle from Louie’s dad and Louie later worked for Barb’s stepfather. She was shy and he a hard worker. With only a 4 year age difference, Barb and Louie were married May 20, 1954 at St. John’s Lutheran (now Faith Lutheran) by The Rev. Messerschmidt. Their family was made complete with the births of their children; Janet in 1954, Nancy in 1957, John in 1958, and Bruce in 1959. The Albright family first farmed around Dornoch and then as the kids aged transitioned to the northwest area of Sullivan Township.
Louie strove to live a simple but meaningful life, never living outside of his means. Whether he was organizing dances in Dornoch in his earlier years, enjoying his two cats at home “Boy” and “Girl” or his favourite meal – homemade spaghetti, he was always content. Louie was sincere and often thought of as the “Gentle Giant.” Even on the Great Lakes boats he was nicknamed for his size – “Tiny.” It was only in the last few years that Barb and Louie began to slow down and take it easy. They used this ‘retirement’ time wisely, flying for the first time to see the Grand Canyon, as well as hitting the road to explore Newfoundland, Prince Edward Island, British Columbia, and for their 50th wedding anniversary toured Alaska.
Louie passed away suddenly at home while fixing the door on Tuesday, November 17, 2015 in his 84th year.
Beloved husband of Barbara. Loving father of Janet (Wayne) Connelly, Nancy (Craig) Maluske and John. Louie will be sadly missed by his 8 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. Fondly remembered by his siblings, Allan (Mary Lou), Shirley (Wayne) Maluskie and Marie (Ronald) Swigger. Louie was predeceased by his son Bruce, brothers Ed and Harold and his parents, Leslie and Clara (Klages) Albright.
Visitation will be held at Rhody Family Funeral Home, Chesley on Friday from 2 – 4 and 7 – 9 p.m. A funeral service celebrating Lou’s life will be held at Faith Lutheran Church, Desboro on Saturday, November 21, 2015 at 2 p.m. Interment in Faith Lutheran Cemetery, Desboro.
Memorial donations to Faith Lutheran Church would be appreciated as expressions of sympathy.
