Al was a friend since kindergarten when we met at Edison grade school. We were on the football team for 4 years together. Plus he was an All State track star. Probably the fastest player on our football team. But more that he was a great friend until he passed away. Even though he fought MS for almost 50 years he was always there to lift me up when I was "down". Go figure - he's fighting for his life with MS but sends positive vibes to me when I'm down. Great guy!
Al's celebration of life will be at his son's house in Geneva, IL on Saturday, November 22nd.
Sorry to hear about Al passing. I know he'd breen sick for many years , but didn't know much about it. Last time I saw him was at a reunion. I had trouble keeping it together as I talked to him in his wheelchair. We walked down "memory lane" together. Just like Kennny Klimes, we went to school together in Stickney from the start. We hung out together 7th & 8th a lot. Steppin' out in town and visiting the girls. One time he and Debbie, and me and Marlene, were at his house after school to make "kissy-face", and his mom came home early from work. Marlene and I ran out the back door, flipped the fence, and ran down the street to escape. He never told me what happened with his mom. In later years we sometimes hung out with Mike Burian. I always admired his athletic abilities, his sense of humor, modesty, and the "drive" that he had to excel. So sad that he struggled for so long from something that took that away from him. He and Kenny were very similar, with regard to those attributes I mentioned. Each of them had the ability to make you feel that "you were good too" even if they were much better, and that was a source of encouragement to try harder. My life is better having known him, I have lots of good memories. Rest in peace my friend .....
Kenneth Klimes
Al was a friend since kindergarten when we met at Edison grade school. We were on the football team for 4 years together. Plus he was an All State track star. Probably the fastest player on our football team. But more that he was a great friend until he passed away. Even though he fought MS for almost 50 years he was always there to lift me up when I was "down". Go figure - he's fighting for his life with MS but sends positive vibes to me when I'm down. Great guy!
Al's celebration of life will be at his son's house in Geneva, IL on Saturday, November 22nd.
Robert J. Weston (Wojciechowski)
Sorry to hear about Al passing. I know he'd breen sick for many years , but didn't know much about it. Last time I saw him was at a reunion. I had trouble keeping it together as I talked to him in his wheelchair. We walked down "memory lane" together. Just like Kennny Klimes, we went to school together in Stickney from the start. We hung out together 7th & 8th a lot. Steppin' out in town and visiting the girls. One time he and Debbie, and me and Marlene, were at his house after school to make "kissy-face", and his mom came home early from work. Marlene and I ran out the back door, flipped the fence, and ran down the street to escape. He never told me what happened with his mom. In later years we sometimes hung out with Mike Burian. I always admired his athletic abilities, his sense of humor, modesty, and the "drive" that he had to excel. So sad that he struggled for so long from something that took that away from him. He and Kenny were very similar, with regard to those attributes I mentioned. Each of them had the ability to make you feel that "you were good too" even if they were much better, and that was a source of encouragement to try harder. My life is better having known him, I have lots of good memories. Rest in peace my friend .....