Wednesday, March 1, 2023
I feel extremely honored to have known Al and Ruth. And, Al's brother Gaston.
Al and Ruth were so very kind to me in many ways. Almost like a mother, father relationship.
They decided the Boys & Girls Clubs was an important need in our community and they did everything they could to not only support the efforts to build the clubs but also to provide on-going support. They both also provided consistent inspiration and encouragement as we lived thru the years of building, operating, and celebrating the achievements that the clubs were experiencing.
At one BGC summer carnival event I drove them over to see the happening; Al said, "I don't think I've ever seen so many kids in one place and they are all smiling". And, he always said at some point in our conversations, "BGC 's is the Best investment I ever made".
I introduced Al to my deceased wife Gayle and later to Anne when we were married. Both immediately fell in love with Al. Unfortunately, Anne did not get to meet Ruth but Gayle did. Gayle said "those two are the perfect couple". We loved to take Al out to his favorite place--Baxter's Restaurant. He ordered the same fried shrimp dinner and a couple of cocktails and would always comment, "perfect meal!".
We also went up to Maine and stayed with Al and Ruth at their beautiful cabin for a few days. Al was a great swimmer and he asked me if I wanted to swim over to an island across the bay. I was worried as to whether he should do that. Well, he beat me over and then got out and went away for a couple of minutes. He came back and tossed me two rubber fins and said I was going to need those to keep up with him on the way back...he still beat me back. I was not a bad swimmer but he was great. we laughed a lot that evening.
I miss Al...and I always will. Like a father leader he brought so much kindness, wisdom, and insight on almost every imaginable subject. I LOVE you Al.
Bill Gower
