Obituary of Albert Emery Fabyanic

Albert E. Fabyanic of Highlands Ranch CO, formerly of Monroeville PA, passed away on November 28, 2022.

 

Albert was born in Braddock, PA on November 24, 1939, to the late Albert R. and Helen B. Harcarik-Fabyanic. He was the sixth child, the second son of thirteen children. After his father tragically passed away when he was 13, Albert immediately took on and quickly grew into his role as the family’s breadwinner. Initially, he supported his mother and family by doing odd jobs. When he came of age at 16 years old, he began working at Droske's, the neighborhood grocery store.

 

Albert graduated from St. Thomas High School, Class of ’57, and soon after took night classes to learn drafting. He began his professional career as a draftsman with Auburn and Associates in Braddock Hills and went on to become an electrical designer. In 1972, he relocated to Florida where he worked on nuclear power plants and in 1974 moved to Denver where he worked at Stearns-Roger until he retired. In his capacity as electrical designer, he traveled to sites across the country, from Kentucky to California, and to Mexico where he fell in love with the people and the culture.

 

After retiring from Stearns-Roger, he took on the position of head night custodian at Highland Ranch HS, which was a mile from his home. True to his spirit, he walked to and from work no matter the weather conditions.

 

Albert found his forever home in Colorado. He loved driving up to the mountains, hiking in the summer and snowshoeing in the winter. And along with his sisters and brother, he climbed—“bagged”—Mt. Bierstadt, one of Colorado’s highest peaks.

 

Albert had a passion for life and never slowed down. His animated spirit was reflected in his home and possessions that were immaculately kept. His lawn was his pride and joy. He never found yardwork taxing or laborious but as a way to relax and connect with nature. His shrubs and hedges were stately trimmed and the grass perfectly manicured!

 

Albert lived a simple life, buying and keeping only what he needed. His sisters would tease him about how old and outdated his furniture and decor were, but he’d only smile and say, “There’s nothing wrong with them.”

 

In addition to being the family breadwinner as a young man, he was the family’s Santa Claus, chauffeur, and handyman. And he had fun! He loved to bowl and dance. After putting on records in the evening, he taught or at least tried to teach, his sisters how to do the polka, jitterbug, cha-cha, and other dances. During the long, winter evenings, he and his siblings worked on building jigsaw puzzles while drinking tea and munching on homemade cookies and oranges…if they had some. On summer evenings after the work was done and baths taken, he would sit with his family on the front porch watching the stars, talking to the neighbors, and listening to his mother’s stories. 

Albert was a devoted son. His mother’s health and welfare were paramount to him. When it got to the point when she could no longer live independently and needed to sell the house she had raised him and his other siblings, he moved her to his Colorado home where she lived out her remaining years.

 

A devout, traditional Catholic, Albert’s deep faith was an essential aspect of his being. When still living “at home,” on Sunday mornings he made sure everyone was properly dressed and ready for Mass. On Sunday afternoons, he loved taking his younger siblings “for a ride” and then treating them to ice cream at DQ or Isaly’s afterward.

  

Albert was the kindest, gentlest, and most patient, loving, generous son and brother! He loved his mother and siblings like no other and cared for and supported them through thick and thin. No matter the circumstances, he was always there when anyone needed anything, never expecting anything in return. He was just happy to help. 

 

Albert never married nor had children of his own, but he loved his many nieces and nephews. They called him Uncle Moose (a nickname from his younger days), Uncle Al the kiddie's pal, or “Albie,” as some lovingly called him. One of the nephews told him once “Uncle Al, you’re the youngest old man I know!!” Oh, how they loved him!  

 

In addition to his parents, Albert was predeceased by sisters Nancy Gasparro and Alberta (Bootsie) DiSaverio and brothers Thomas, William, and Richard. He is survived by siblings Helen Botti, Patricia Hrivnak, Marie Polansky, Theresa Hearn, Jerry Fabyanic, Rita Fabyanic-Robbins,  Angela Skiffen, and dozens of nephews, nieces, and cousins. 

 

The quote accompanying his senior class picture read, “Men of few words are the best.”

 

Amen, Brother! Albert, you truly were the best of us. 

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