WILMINGTON — Our Lord called Michael “Pa” Alban, 69, died suddenly Friday, Oct. 25, 2019, after complications from a struggle with frontotemporal lobe dementia. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend. He will be truly missed.
Michael was born to John and Catherine Alban Oct. 5, 1950. He grew up in Malverne, New York, on Long Island, where he attended Our Lady of Lourdes elementary school and Malverne High School. While a student at Rider College, Michael participated in tryouts for the New York Yankees baseball team.
Before starting his career, he worked with his father on various tugboats and other marine vessels in the New York area. After marrying his wife, Janis, they settled in Hopewell Junction, New York. Michael worked for Texaco Inc. in Harrison, New York, as senior charterer in their marine department. He then worked in the marine operations division of Odin Marine Inc. in Stamford, Connecticut, and retired from Charles R. Weber Inc. in Greenwich, Connecticut, where he also worked as a marine operations specialist.
Michael was always active in his family’s lives. He shared with them his Catholic faith. He was a golf and tennis coach, swim meet official, baseball umpire, concert audience member, sports enthusiast, mentor and guide. He always loved playing with his grandchildren, and, of course, a quick trip to the casino.
After retiring, Michael and Janis moved to Wilmington, where Michael was an active member of the Cape Fear Men’s Club, especially the bowling club and the Knights of Columbus at St. Therese Catholic Church. Michael was an avid golfer and always enjoyed spending time at his beloved Wrightsville Beach, where he had spent every family vacation since 1979.
Michael was preceded in death by his parents.
He is survived by his wife of almost 41 years, Janis; two sons, Jeffrey, and his wife, Kay, and Douglas; three grandchildren, Matthew, Christopher and Jacquelyn; brother, Richard Alban, and his wife, Stephenie; sister, Marianne Alban Stevenson, and her husband, Thomas; along with many nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 30, at Andrews Mortuary Market Street Chapel, 1617 Market St., Wilmington. A solemn requiem Mass will be offered for the repose of Michael’s soul at 1 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 31, at Saint Therese Catholic Church, 209 S Lumina Ave., Wrightsville Beach, with interment to follow at a later date.
The family would like to thank everyone who assisted Michael in these recent years. May God reward you for your kindness and generosity.
In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Michael Alban may be sent to the Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration, Radnor Station Building 2, Suite 320, 290 King of Prussia Road, Radnor, PA 19087.
Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine, et lux perpetua luceat eis. Requiescat in pace.
Share online condolences with the family at Andrews Mortuary & Crematory.
