- Date Of Birth: July 17, 1934
- Date Of Death: February 8, 2018
- State: Michigan
Albert “Al” Asadoorian
July 17, 1934 – February 8, 2018
Seeking refuge from the Armenian Genocide Hmaiag and Anoush eventually made their way to Detroit, MI where they had their third child Albert. It was there in Southwest Detroit that Al spent his childhood and later attended Western High School. He worked at RL Polk’s mail room for some time until he began an apprenticeship at the Detroit Water Board. In 1953 he met Rose Marie, and that year asked her to her High School Prom. Three years later, at St. John’s Armenian church, they were married.
A year into their marriage Al was drafted by the U.S. Army, and stationed at Fort Hood, TX. He was later transferred to Baltimore, MD for additional training. Followed by a deployment order to Germany. Two months into the deployment Rose joined him there, and boy did they have it rough. A trip to Belgium, then to Austria, Switzerland, and then to Paris to see his great uncle. They spent another 13 months together in Europe until Rose’s time to return home came. Three months later Al’s deployment ended, along with his service to our nation.
1960, the Flintstones make their first appearance on television, and Al makes his first appearance at Ford’s Wixom Assembly Plant. In the following year on the 19th of March he and Rose have a daughter, Cheryl Ann. A few years go by and Al decides to apply for an apprenticeship at the Ford Rouge Plant. He’s accepted and begins his career as an instrument repair journeyman in the Plant’s steel division, tool and die, and glass plant. He later moves to the Power Plant where he, in 1999, was caught in the explosion at the Number Three boiler. He was fortunate enough to escape unharmed, and able to assist others out of the rubble. That was to be his final year, his retirement marking 40 years of service to the company. He never once took a sick day.
It wasn’t long until Rose too retired from her position as accountant for the Michigan PGA. Then it was back to travelling, this time their sights were set on tropical. They saw Aruba, Barbados, the Bahamas, A quick trip to Vegas now and again for variety’s sake, and eventually they would fall in love with Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Al began pursuing sailing and what began as a hobby with a day-sailor at Kensington Metro Park turned into a 27-year-love-affair with a 34′ Catalina on Lake St. Clair.
Al owned multiple mustangs in his life, his final a red 1990 5.0 convertible. He was an avid fan of Detroit sports, and UofM football. His heart beat for Red Wings hockey and Tigers baseball, a passion rivaled only by peanuts and Labatt Blue. He was a music lover, dedicating many hours to studying the Jazz greats. And even in his older years was a computer guy, successfully building three personal computers from scratch and maintained systems for family and friends.
In October of 1991 Al and Rose were blessed with a grandson (Jacob). Al was a loving and dedicated grandfather, sharing his wisdom and teaching Jake all he could. Though their age difference spanned 57 years the two understood one another and spent time together often, they were buds.
In addition to his parents Al was preceded in death by his dear brother Zorob, beloved sister Ida Tevanian, and son-in-law Patrick Palmer.
He is survived by his wife Rose Marie, daughter Cheryl Ann Palmer, grandson Jacob William-Asadoorian Palmer, many brother and sister-in-laws, many cousins, several nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, great-great nieces and nephews, and countless friends.
