View Full Version : The trade lost a good man yesterday.
markettech
12-31-2006, 02:11 PM
One of the smartest men I've ever known passed away last night from complications related to cancer. He was only in his mid 60's.
He was one of those guys that was tougher than nails on the outside but had a heart of pure gold. Once you got to know him, he'd give the shirt off his back if you needed it. I can remember several times when I was a green horn calling him at 2 in the morning and having him walk me through problems.
Al was the kind of guy that would work til the work was done - it didn't matter if he had plans or whatever - I remember working with him one summer and we pulled an all nighter at a supermarket - talked to each other on the two-way all the way back to town to keep ourselves awake - he got back , showered up and went right back to work.
An old Navy guy, he would tell us stories that would have us literally falling out of our chairs laughing. He would tell us about his becoming a shell back and how great it was to be on the giving end instead of the receiving.
He was a guy that you could talk to about anything and not feel like an idiot for doing so. On the other hand, he had a tongue as sharp as a knife and could insult a person without them even knowing they were getting slammed - definitely a guy you'd want in your corner.
Al also knew more about HVACR than I could hope to learn in 5 lifetimes - in the entire time I've known him, I can honestly say that I've never seen him stumped - I swear to God he is one of those guys that could get a rack up and running with nothing more than a gum wrapper and shoelace.
Anyway, I know its getting long, but I just wanted to say - we lost one of the good ones yesterday.....................I'll miss him
k-fridge
12-31-2006, 02:17 PM
An old navy guy taught me too, he was the best refer man I ever knew.
gonefishing
12-31-2006, 02:18 PM
I lost my mentor back in August. He was 89 years old. He was a state licensed
Master electrician, state licensed Master plumber, and the smartest man I ever
knew when it came to HVAC. He gave me his old college books years ago.
They were copyrighted 1926. I know how you feel markettech.
Sorry to hear about your loss.
Later.......GF
davidr
12-31-2006, 02:24 PM
Sorry for your loss markettech.
Losing someone like that is never easy, sounds like a great guy to have been associated with.
markettech
12-31-2006, 02:29 PM
Sorry for your loss markettech.
Losing someone like that is never easy, sounds like a great guy to have been associated with.
Thanks - His son is a refr guy too and just called me an hour or so ago to tell me the news. Fred is my age and he's taking it pretty rough - I wish I could do something for him....feeling pretty useless right about now.
the mojo
12-31-2006, 02:57 PM
Well for starters you could save the post and ask if you could read it at the service. Very sorry for your loss.
too tall terry
12-31-2006, 03:08 PM
sorry to hear that.........no words will ease the sting......keep your head up.....thoughts and prayers are with you!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sorry to hear of another great one passing on. It's good his trade is passed down tot he next generation. He'll always be with you whenever you remember something he taught you or the good times you had with him.
One of the smartest men I've ever known passed away last night from complications related to cancer. He was only in his mid 60's.
He was one of those guys that was tougher than nails on the outside but had a heart of pure gold. Once you got to know him, he'd give the shirt off his back if you needed it. I can remember several times when I was a green horn calling him at 2 in the morning and having him walk me through problems.
Al was the kind of guy that would work til the work was done - it didn't matter if he had plans or whatever - I remember working with him one summer and we pulled an all nighter at a supermarket - talked to each other on the two-way all the way back to town to keep ourselves awake - he got back , showered up and went right back to work.
An old Navy guy, he would tell us stories that would have us literally falling out of our chairs laughing. He would tell us about his becoming a shell back and how great it was to be on the giving end instead of the receiving.
He was a guy that you could talk to about anything and not feel like an idiot for doing so. On the other hand, he had a tongue as sharp as a knife and could insult a person without them even knowing they were getting slammed - definitely a guy you'd want in your corner.
Al also knew more about HVACR than I could hope to learn in 5 lifetimes - in the entire time I've known him, I can honestly say that I've never seen him stumped - I swear to God he is one of those guys that could get a rack up and running with nothing more than a gum wrapper and shoelace.
Anyway, I know its getting long, but I just wanted to say - we lost one of the good ones yesterday.....................I'll miss him
Sorry to hear it. Hard to mactch the older guys nowdays for brains and strength.
Al was a great guy to work with. Always had a story to tell with a great sense of humor. He always made me laugh. Fred, his son turned out to be a great tech like his dad. My sympathies to his family.
Markettech-After reading this post, I realized you were a former co-worker.
markettech
12-31-2006, 05:34 PM
Al was a great guy to work with. Always had a story to tell with a great sense of humor. He always made me laugh. Fred, his son turned out to be a great tech like his dad. My sympathies to his family.
Markettech-After reading this post, I realized you were a former co-worker.
Rick?
Dowadudda
12-31-2006, 05:47 PM
you never forget guys like that. I am sorry for your loss. You may find yourself emulating him more and more. And thats what it is all about.
markettech
12-31-2006, 05:57 PM
Holy sh!t man - how are ya? You had me racking my brain there for a little while. Hope everything's going well for you and the Mrs.
Yeah - Fred's come a long way and is a pretty dang good tech now.
Geezus the stories I could tell about Al - he was truly one of a kind wasn't he?
Ya know, its sad, but I've known for the last 3 months or so that he was getting worse and I couldn't bring myself to go see him - not sure why - just couldn't do it. The guilt is hanging pretty heavy on my shoulders right now.
If ya got any good stories about him that you want to share - throw em out there. I'd love to reminisce a little.
slimwoodie
12-31-2006, 05:58 PM
Aaaaaahhhhh...
I lost my guy a while ago .....
one of the last times I saw him, he was carrying a box of books for me, despite his bad heart....
thanks for all ya did for me, Don Tubman .......
markettech
12-31-2006, 06:34 PM
you never forget guys like that. I am sorry for your loss. You may find yourself emulating him more and more. And thats what it is all about.
I look back now and think about all the stupid ass things I did starting out - never once did he jump me or tear me up about it. Al took the time to explain and show things to this hard headed rookie, although I'm quite sure he also spent alot of time just shaking his head wondering how in the heck I was ever gonna make it in the trade.
It's not just what he taught me, its the way in which he did it, and I do think that it is because of him that I take the time to help others coming up.......much like he took time with me.
Yep - he's a guy that won't be forgotten.
Hey Pat, nice to hear from you again. It's been at least 5 years since we last talked. We are doing fine living in South Mississippi.
One thing I remember about Al was that shop meeting were definetely not boring! He always had something interesting to say.
I stay in touch with Kelly every now and then.
markettech
12-31-2006, 07:15 PM
Rick:
When you get a chance, shoot me an email and I'll fill you in on the latest around here. My email address is in my profile
markettech
12-31-2007, 07:29 PM
Man, it's hard to believe a year has passed since Al's death.
Not a day goes by that he doesn't pop into my mind......
I sure do miss that guy.:(
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