Albert Joseph DELISLE

DeLisle, Albert Joseph -- Kawkawlin, Michigan-- Beloved dad, grandfather, great grandfather, great great grandfather, uncle and friend went to be with his Lord and Savior Thursday, December 15, 2005. He passed away peacefully in his sleep at the age of 92, joining his lovely wife Anna Marie (Ligney) DeLisle. He was residing at the time at McBrite Manor in Saginaw, MI. The son of the late Joseph and Mary DeLisle was born July 1, 1913 in Bay City, MI he was the youngest of five children. He lived the majority of his life in Bay City as a hard working, loving husband and family man. He worked and retired from GM Powertrain-Bay City Plant after 39 years of dedicated service as a tool and die maker. Al's passion for the majority of his life besides his family was baseball. Playing baseball for at least 50 years as a third baseman and Al was well known in the Bay City Area. At the age of 19 'Big Al' as he was known by his friends joined the International Baseball League for Universal Prints. Making a name for himself as the "The Iron Man" his success on the field got him the opportunity to try out for the St. Louis Cardinals. He was one of 40 players chosen to join their AAA League out of 1000 other ball players. Because of the commitment to travel he declined the position to care for his family. Al continued to play ball in the Bay City area however, making the All Star team every year. He played baseball until the age of 56. After retiring in 1973, Anna and Al spent the next 17 years making the trip to Vero Beach, Florida where they bought a double wide trailer home and spent 6 months out of the year enjoying the sunshine. There Al's love for music landed him a spot as a drummer and vocalist for the 'Senior Fantastics' playing for many years at different venues in the Vero Beach area. When the drive got to be too much, Anna and Al moved back to the Bay City/Kawkawlin area where he formed his own one- man-band and volunteered his time playing for various nursing homes and meal sites. He was a member of St. Joseph's Parish for many years volunteering his time as an usher and was an active member of the athletic association. Upon moving to Kawkawlin he was a member of St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church. Al loved making people smile and his sense of humor always seemed to show through to everyone around him. He will be truly missed by all who knew him. Surviving are his six children, four sons and two daughters: Edward J. and his wife Mary of Sterling Heights, MI, Gerald A. and his wife, Nancy of Saginaw, MI, Thomas E. and his wife, Mary of Escondido, CA, LeRoy W. and his wife, Margie of Las Vegas, NV, Beverly J. Darnell and her husband, Frank of Kansas City, MO, and Carin A. Miller of Saginaw, MI; sixteen grandchildren; twenty nine great grandchildren; two step grandsons, and two great- great grandchildren; brother- in-law and sister-in-law, Joe and Louise Ligney of West Branch, and many nieces and nephews. Al was preceded in death by his beloved wife and four siblings; his son-in-law, Lawrence C. Miller; grandson, Michael DeLisle and great granddaughter, Ashley DeLisle. The Funeral Mass will take place Monday, December 19, 2005 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church. Officiating at the funeral rite will be Rev. Fr. Gerald E. Balwinski and Sr. Virginia Scally, SNDdeN. Rite of Committal following in St. Patrick's Cemetery. Friends may call at the Gephart Funeral Home, Inc. on Sunday from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. The Parish Vigil Service will take place Sunday at 7:30 p.m. at the Gephart Funeral Home, Inc. Mr. DeLisle will be taken to the church on Monday to lie in state from 9:00 a.m. until the time of mass. In lieu of flowers memorial envelopes for St. Joseph Children's Hospital- Children's Ward will be available at the funeral home. Gephart Funeral Home, Inc. 201 W. Midland Street 'Family Owned & Operated' gephartfuneralhome.com Published in the Bay City Times from 12/16/2005 - 12/18/2005.