Albert VanSyckel

April 1, 1924 - March 16, 2012

Albert Van Syckel - aka, Al, Big Al, Van…decided on Friday, March 16, that he needed a new adventure… to begin a new journey…visit with old friends and loved ones that had taken that journey before him. He would have been 88 years old on his next birthday, April 1st.  He lived a long and rich life.He served his country in the Army and he had a long and fulfilling career with the DuPont Company.  He spent the past 39 years living in Waverly, TN - a town he grew to love and be a part of.  He was known for his deep, rich bass voice …singing in his church choir.  He loved to go and have a cup a coffee and an apple pie in the local McDonalds.  He was a part of the American Heart Society soon after his wife, Norma passed away from heart disease.  He sold Real Estate for a time…making quite a few friends during that venture.  He loved to dance… and he loved music, the Atlanta Braves, politics and reading.  He would walk almost every day with his dog Smokey at his side, until Smokey got too old and had to be put to rest - that was a very sad day for both Van & Hazel.  He sat with his friend & neighbor Larry Moody - either out under the trees in the front yard or more recently up in the house… Van always had two day old, moldy coffee for Mr. Moody and ginger snaps for Maddie, Mr. Moody’s dog.  Mr. Moody would sneak and dump the cup of coffee, but, it was always a big joke between those two.  Van fed the deer and birds… cats & squirrels.  Not sure if he meant to feed the squirrels, but, you know how squirrels are.  He studied Spanish and played the Dulcimer & accordion.  He tinkered in his shed and tended his yard… always putting out the two yard Gnomes his brother George had painted for him.  He loved his Scotch in the evening and a good bowl of vanilla ice cream.    He lived and loved … he played and danced.  And I pray he is dancing now…  Beloved husband of 20 years to Hazel…Father to Margaret Baker of California, MD and Lorrie Manahl of Pedricktown, NJ, step-father to Larry Grasso of Egg Harbor, NJ. Grandfather to Lorrie Baker Bouhaouala, Denise Baker, Charles Baker, Megan, Kelly & Kirsten Manahl… great grand children Carra, Lucia, Leith and Ava.  Favorite nieces Sandy Pedrick and Cindy Grasso. Predeceased by his brothers George & Lou, sisters Verna, Minerva & Freda.    A graveside service will be held on Friday, March 23rd, 2pm at Eglington Cemetery, Clarksboro, NJ.    Family and friends are invited to the home of Ken & Lorrie Manahl, 57 West Mill St., Pedricktown, NJ 08067 (856-299-3712) after the service or about 4pm.  Come and spend some time celebrating life… and stay until the last drop of Scotch Whiskey has been drank!  Local arrangement by Ashcraft Funeral Homes, Penns Grove and Pennsville.  www.ashcraftfuneralhomes.com