Obituary for Fernand Joseph "Fern" Albert
Fernand J. Albert, 86, of Enfield, entered into eternal rest on Monday, July 18, 2022. He was the beloved husband of 61 years to Gilma M. (Plourde) Albert. Born on March 11, 1936 in St. Agatha, ME to the late Maxime and Julie (Gauvin) Albert.
Fern was a graduate of Wisdom H.S. St. Agatha, ME. He then enlisted into the U.S. Army from 1958 – 1960, where he was stationed in Germany with the 1st Missile Battalion, 67th Artillery, and from 1961 – 1962 in Lawton, OK. He had resided in Enfield for 58 years and before that in Windsor Locks, and St. Agatha, ME.
Prior to retiring in 1992, Fern’s 35 year career as a truck driver was with Schroll Transportation and Consolidated Freight Ways.
Besides being a devout Catholic and following the ways of the Lord to the best of his ability, Fern had a multitude of interests and hobbies of which included opening his heart to others–especially the neighborhood kids and friends of his own children. Fern did his best to be a positive role model for anyone who walked into his home, treating them as they were his own children and/or family members. Many neighborhood kids would go to him for advice or share an interest of his while building a relationship with this good-natured and fun-loving man. Fern loved to work on cars, work on his John Deere in order for it to be in tip-top shape to maintain an impeccable lawn and tinkered with and repaired anything with a motor. With his history of growing up and working on the family potato farm, he enjoyed hunting and gardening to put food on the table. As a tenured member of the Somers Sportsmen's Association, Fern also loved to target practice, volunteer for and participate in various related outdoor activities. His interest in the outdoors carried over to watching old westerns almost every weekend starring John Wayne and Clint Eastwood, as well as many other old western stars. One of his greatest joys was sharing his love of dancing and singing with his children. He could be found in the kitchen belting out the songs of Jim Reeves, Johnny Cash and Charlie Pride while simultaneously having his children take turns dancing and singing right along with him. He would twirl his wife around the kitchen floor like nobody’s business creating treasured memories for years to come. Another passion was his love of airplanes. He loved to be up in the air, build and fly model airplanes, and helped to restore the planes of our past to original condition through his volunteer work at the New England Air Museum in Windsor Locks, CT alongside his friends who were equally as passionate to restore those old beauties. Anytime anyone would stop and visit, they would almost always find Fern outside. He just loved to be out in nature and watching the wildlife that dared to journey onto his lawn. You might also find him taking his daily walks up and down the street and was sometimes even joined by another. Being outside often brought him back to his cherished memories of growing up on the farm and in the potato fields. Northern Maine beckoned him back yearly for many, many years. His greatest pleasure by far, however, was spending time with his wife, raising and spending time with his children, welcoming their significant others into the family, enjoying and sharing his interests with his grandchildren, and loving his great-grandchildren with his whole heart. He was truly a beloved man to so many.
In addition to his wife, Gilma he is survived by his three sons Dr. Michael Albert & wife Jane of Bradford, ME, James Albert & wife Laura of Suffield and Kenneth Albert & wife Lisa of Somers, and two daughters Carol Sargent & husband Mark of Enfield and Lisa DeFord of Bridgewater, CT., nine beloved grandchildren; Christopher Albert, Matthew Albert, Kirstie Phillips & husband Justin, Joshua Albert, Noelle Albert, Gabrielle Catalano & husband Nick, Johnathan Albert, Shawn DeFord & wife Jessica, and Emily DeFord, two cherished great grandchildren Charlotte DeFord and Levi Phillips. He is also survived by five siblings; Marie St. Laurent of Southbridge, MA, Cecile Plourde of Ellington, Lorraine Fortin & husband Roger of E. Windsor, Roland Albert & wife Arlene of St. Agatha, ME and George Albert & wife Bernadette of Frenchville, ME, along with many nieces and nephews. Besides his parents and in-laws, Leon & Leona Plourde he was predeceased by two brothers-in-law Maurice St. Laurent, and Leon Plourde, Jr., and a dear niece AnneMarie Plourde Kardys.
Relatives and friends may join his family during calling hours on Monday, July 25, 2022 from 4:00 to 7:00 pm at Browne Memorial Chapels, Enfield. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, July 26, 2022 at 10:30 am in St. Martha Church, Enfield (Please go directly to church) followed by military honors. Interment will be private at the convenience of the family in the Hazardville Cemetery, Enfield. Memorial donations in his memory may be made to the Shriner’s Hospital for Children, 516 Carew St. Springfield, MA 01104.
Fern was a graduate of Wisdom H.S. St. Agatha, ME. He then enlisted into the U.S. Army from 1958 – 1960, where he was stationed in Germany with the 1st Missile Battalion, 67th Artillery, and from 1961 – 1962 in Lawton, OK. He had resided in Enfield for 58 years and before that in Windsor Locks, and St. Agatha, ME.
Prior to retiring in 1992, Fern’s 35 year career as a truck driver was with Schroll Transportation and Consolidated Freight Ways.
Besides being a devout Catholic and following the ways of the Lord to the best of his ability, Fern had a multitude of interests and hobbies of which included opening his heart to others–especially the neighborhood kids and friends of his own children. Fern did his best to be a positive role model for anyone who walked into his home, treating them as they were his own children and/or family members. Many neighborhood kids would go to him for advice or share an interest of his while building a relationship with this good-natured and fun-loving man. Fern loved to work on cars, work on his John Deere in order for it to be in tip-top shape to maintain an impeccable lawn and tinkered with and repaired anything with a motor. With his history of growing up and working on the family potato farm, he enjoyed hunting and gardening to put food on the table. As a tenured member of the Somers Sportsmen's Association, Fern also loved to target practice, volunteer for and participate in various related outdoor activities. His interest in the outdoors carried over to watching old westerns almost every weekend starring John Wayne and Clint Eastwood, as well as many other old western stars. One of his greatest joys was sharing his love of dancing and singing with his children. He could be found in the kitchen belting out the songs of Jim Reeves, Johnny Cash and Charlie Pride while simultaneously having his children take turns dancing and singing right along with him. He would twirl his wife around the kitchen floor like nobody’s business creating treasured memories for years to come. Another passion was his love of airplanes. He loved to be up in the air, build and fly model airplanes, and helped to restore the planes of our past to original condition through his volunteer work at the New England Air Museum in Windsor Locks, CT alongside his friends who were equally as passionate to restore those old beauties. Anytime anyone would stop and visit, they would almost always find Fern outside. He just loved to be out in nature and watching the wildlife that dared to journey onto his lawn. You might also find him taking his daily walks up and down the street and was sometimes even joined by another. Being outside often brought him back to his cherished memories of growing up on the farm and in the potato fields. Northern Maine beckoned him back yearly for many, many years. His greatest pleasure by far, however, was spending time with his wife, raising and spending time with his children, welcoming their significant others into the family, enjoying and sharing his interests with his grandchildren, and loving his great-grandchildren with his whole heart. He was truly a beloved man to so many.
In addition to his wife, Gilma he is survived by his three sons Dr. Michael Albert & wife Jane of Bradford, ME, James Albert & wife Laura of Suffield and Kenneth Albert & wife Lisa of Somers, and two daughters Carol Sargent & husband Mark of Enfield and Lisa DeFord of Bridgewater, CT., nine beloved grandchildren; Christopher Albert, Matthew Albert, Kirstie Phillips & husband Justin, Joshua Albert, Noelle Albert, Gabrielle Catalano & husband Nick, Johnathan Albert, Shawn DeFord & wife Jessica, and Emily DeFord, two cherished great grandchildren Charlotte DeFord and Levi Phillips. He is also survived by five siblings; Marie St. Laurent of Southbridge, MA, Cecile Plourde of Ellington, Lorraine Fortin & husband Roger of E. Windsor, Roland Albert & wife Arlene of St. Agatha, ME and George Albert & wife Bernadette of Frenchville, ME, along with many nieces and nephews. Besides his parents and in-laws, Leon & Leona Plourde he was predeceased by two brothers-in-law Maurice St. Laurent, and Leon Plourde, Jr., and a dear niece AnneMarie Plourde Kardys.
Relatives and friends may join his family during calling hours on Monday, July 25, 2022 from 4:00 to 7:00 pm at Browne Memorial Chapels, Enfield. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, July 26, 2022 at 10:30 am in St. Martha Church, Enfield (Please go directly to church) followed by military honors. Interment will be private at the convenience of the family in the Hazardville Cemetery, Enfield. Memorial donations in his memory may be made to the Shriner’s Hospital for Children, 516 Carew St. Springfield, MA 01104.