Bulletin Board

Macomb, MI, October 14th, 2014 –Albert Piccirilli (Alberto Primo Liberato Piccirilli), from the small town of Pacentro Italy, came over to America on the S.S. “CONTE DI SAVOIA” in 1934 with his mother (Carolina Piccirilli), his brothers Gino and Ted, and his sister Nina. His father Guisseppe (Pipino) Piccirilli had already been working in the United States in the Detroit area when he sent for his family to join him. *Italy at that time was under fascist/dictator rule (Mussolini) and his father did not want that kind of life for his children - especially for his oldest son who had already been placed in a fascist school at the young age of 12. A few years later his younger brother and sister were born (Leo and Lillian - twins).

As the years went on with his new life in America, Albert became fond of the game of baseball. He went to many Detroit Tigers games as a young man and just this past March was able to see the Tigers play down in Lakeland Florida during spring training.

During the early 1940’s Albert, along with friends and family members, would frequent the Graystone Ballroom on Woodward in downtown Detroit - that’s where he met Louise (Del Rosso) Piccirilli in 1944. They danced quite often especially to their favorite song “Sentimental Journey” sung by Doris Day. They married in 1945.

Albert’s very first job was working at the Jefferson Beach Amusement Park (back in the late 1930’s) where he was paid a few cents an hour. With the money Albert earned he would go and buy tickets to go see his favorite team the Detroit Tigers and sit in the center field bleachers – many times by himself. One of Albert’s favorite highlights, while at Briggs (Tiger) Stadium, was shaking hands with NY Yankee legend Joe DiMaggio.

Albert also worked as a tailor and some other jobs, then later on took some model making classes - eventually being hired at General Motors as a model maker. He worked at GM for approximately 30 years before retiring in 1985. He was a member of the UAW and was involved with the Sons of Colombus Italian Club.

Albert also very much enjoy traveling with his family - whether it was out west, the east coast, or a big trip back to Italy but he was especially fond of the Fort Myers Florida area where he and his wife Louise owned a condominium for nearly 30 years.

Albert & Louise have 3 children (Carol Provo, Diana Ouellette, and Anthony Piccirilli), 6 grandchildren (Mark, Chris, Michelle, Nicole, Matthew, and Melissa) and 9 great grandchildren (Kayla, Jessica, Rachel, Natalie, Nicholas, Jack, Joe, Sam, and Penelope). Albert & Louise were the ultimate family people never missing any family events whether it was a grandsons baseball game, a great granddaughters softball game, graduations, weddings, communions/confirmations, family picnics, vacationing with family, or times up north at the lake – many great memories were made.

Sadly for the last 4-5 years Albert, who is now 94 years old, suffers from Alzheimer’s Disease (the nation’s sixth-leading cause of death), he recently lost his wife Louise last June and is now being taken care of around the clock by caregivers and shortly will be moved to the Rose Senior Living Center in Clinton Twp.

Unfortunately Albert doesn’t know who any of his family are anymore or can recall most of the memories listed above. He doesn’t even remember that he had a wife who took great care of him for nearly 70 years. This is very sad to say the least and very hard on his family.

After Louise passed away on June 24th of 2014, Albert and Louise’s grandson, Mark Provo, decided to stand up and fight to change the level of awareness in our community and asked his family and friends to come together to support him by getting involved in the Alzheimer’s Association’s “Walk to End Alzheimer’s/Genesee County” on September 13th. *With the full support of family & friends, especially Albert and Louise’s 2 daughters Carol and Diana, and their families, 30+ individuals joined Mark’s team, “Sentimental Journey”- Together they raised over $3,200 in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease.

They aren’t stopping there though. The Provo family (along with Sentimental Journey Teammates) will be holding a “Beat ALZ Halloween Fundraiser” in honor of his grandfather Albert Piccirilli on October 25th (at Mark and Tara Provo’s home) starting at 7:00pm. The event will have tons of Halloween décor including air driven animatronics, a working electric chair, live band, raffles, food/drinks, and contests. Attendees will be asked to donate $20 per person via pre-registration. This will be the 15th year of this Halloween Event and the first to benefit the Alzheimer’s Association. For more information on how to attend and pre-register please contact Mark Provo at (586)202-9577, or email him at softballplayers@gmail.com

The funds raised will be used by the Alzheimer’s Association to provide local programs and services for those affected by Alzheimer’s and support for the many unpaid family and friends who provide them with countless hours of care. Additionally, dollars raised will fund desperately needed research and support initiatives that ensure appropriate and documented diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease.

“Walk to End Alzheimer’s participants like Mark help the Alzheimer’s Association unite the entire community in a display of combined strength and dedication in the fight against this devastating disease” said Betty O’Neill, Event Manager for the Alzheimer’s Association Greater Michigan Chapter. “We are very grateful for dedicated individuals like him who are leaders in this grassroots movement to change the course of Alzheimer’s disease.”

The Alzheimer’s Association

The Alzheimer’s Association is the world’s leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer care, support and research. Their mission is to eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through the advancement of research, to provide and enhance care and support for all affected, and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health. Their vision is a world without Alzheimer’s. For more information on Alzheimer’s disease or how to support the Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s, please contact the Alzheimer’s Association at 800.272.3900 or visit alz.org.