Obituary of Albert King

KING _ Albert Lorenzo. Born March 3, 1915 in Manchester England, passed away on April 7, 2003 at Vancouver General Hospital at the age of 88 years. Albert is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Lillian; son Wayne (Caren); daughters, Geri (John), Sherrill (Clyde), Lorraine (Ron), and Mavis (Terry); sister Patricia; and brothers, Raymond and Bill (Audrey); along with 16 grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren; many other relatives and close friends. Albert immigrated to Saskatchewan in 1928 with his parents and 6 siblings, and in 1937 began work at what is now Cominco's smelter in Trail, BC where he promptly joined an organizing campaign for the International Union of Mine, Mill and Smelter Workers, or Mine Mill. For the rest of his life, with the exception of the years 1942 - 1945 when he served with the Royal Canadian Air Force overseas, he dedicated himself to the labour movement, first with Mine Mill, and later with the United Steelworkers of America. Long after his retirement he continued to work on occupational health and safety issues for working people in BC. Albert knew how to have fun! His larger-than-life presence will be missed by all who knew him. He was a man passionate in his convictions and his joy for life was demonstrated in his love for music, his writings, and his irreverent sense of humour. Albert was a social person, always the centre of attention, and the King home was a gathering place for friends who were always made to feel part of the family. With Albert as the patriarch of our family, we all knew we were loved. What could be a more fitting tribute for a life well lived? There will be a private burial service at 1:00 pm Saturday, April 12th, 2003 at Valleyview Memorial Gardens. There will also be a memorial service in celebration of Albert's life at 1:00 pm on Sunday, April 13, 2003 at the Maritime Labour Centre located at #10-1880 Triumph Street. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Albert's memory to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Canadian Diabetes Association, and Ehlers Danlos Syndrome Research. The family would like to extend a heartfelt "thank you" to the SAM Unit at Vancouver General Hospital.