Birth date: Apr 29, 1923 Death date: Dec 5, 2002
Al Burnett passed away on December 5, 2002 at the age of 79. He was born in Tacoma on April 29, 1923 and lived here all of his life. He was married to Toby for 56 years.Al was a truck driver. He worked at Todd Ship Yards during th Read Obituary
I remember Mr. Burnett like it was yesterday. I spent many an afternoon at Pat's home, as we grew up together. I remember him purchasing their old car. I thought it was so neat. I think that's when I started appreciating old cars. Mr. Burnett you were such a nice man.##imported-begin##Joyce Kalivas-Griffin##imported-end##
Dear Aunt Toby,
I am so sorry to hear of the death of Uncle Al. I have fond memories of when you both visited with us while you were camping in Maryland. Please know you are all in my prayers.
Love,
Lorraine (Johnny Wright's wife)##imported-begin##Lorraine Wright##imported-end##
Aunt Toby, I'm so sorry to hear of the death of Uncle Al, take comfort in the menories of your life together. I didn't know the two of you very well, but I do remember the wonderful things my father and Mother had to say about the two of you. I remember when you both came to Akron to visit, how nice and happy the two of you were. My love and prayers go out to you and your family.
Love
Debby(Pruett) Kozielski##imported-begin##Debby Kozielski##imported-end##
As a grandfather, Al was always the best a grandson could ask for. Grandpa always had something for he and I to do. He called me his buddy. We would "putter" out in the garage countless times, coming up with a time well spent project like a coaster cart, or something like that. Grandpa could never manage to get through the morning paper when i was around, but I don't think he ever minded. Grandma and grandpa have always been there for me throughout my entire life. I remember getting the chicken pox when I was young, and even though grandpa had never had them, they gladly took care of me anyhow. My grandpa was always there for the important events in my life, with my grandma Toby right there by his side of course, from band concerts, to my graduation, and everything in between. Grandpa held a gift of story-telling which I can never forget, since he got such great joy out of telling you the story once again. I will always remember my grandfather for all of the fun times we have shared through my life, and he'll always hold a special place in my heart.##imported-begin##Steve Kruckeberg##imported-end##
Uncle Al was a best friend, buddy, and father image to me. I visited Uncle Al and Toby in 1956 while I was in Washington serving in the Air Force. They took me into their family as one of their own. They gave very freely of their love and guidance. It is not possible to express in words the love I have for the family. Uncle Al will be greatly missed. Our memories of his love, laughter, humor, and cheerfulness will go on in his stories, jokes, and riddles as our children now refer to them as Uncle Al's.##imported-begin##Herman Fugatt##imported-end##
Technically, Al was my great-uncle, but he will always be "Grandpa" to me. Growing up, I thought Grandpa was very "old-school", in fact, I would say that he was "square". But as I got older, I realized that which made him square was what I so admired about him. It reminds me of the song, "It's Hip To Be Square"! Those admired traits include being first and foremost about family and friends. He was in his element at family gatherings, breakfasts at the local greasy-spoon, walking at the mall, etc. He was also a talented story teller, a gift that is becoming extinct with my generation. He could tell you the same story two or three times in one sitting...I think most of us wish he knew the phrase "Let me know if you've heard this one", but reality is we wouldn't have had it any other way. It brought him great joy to tell such stories (I think it was his way of passing on the history he knew - sharing the family story). Grandpa was also about simplicity - he was very non-materialistic. He'd rather spend his money on traveling and various ways to be with others. I have memories of Grandpa chaufering my wife and I in one of his old cars at our senior ball, of him and Grandma showing up out of the blue to visit me in their motorhome while I was going to school in Colorado, and I have memories of camping on the beach with the shipwreck...it was on this camping trip that I got a glimpse of Grandpa's fire within. I don't know what I did, but I ended up on restriction, not to move from the camper's top bunk, and got verbally straightened out. This same fire showed in his last days as I sat with him one evening before Thanksgiving. He was reminiscing about the ramp at their house. He went on and on about the tools and equipment used to build it. He wanted to go home and check-up on that ramp, so he told me "Let's go!" "Parden me, Grandpa, what did you say?" I asked. He firmly said, "Toby says we need permission to leave here, but let's just go!" I had instant visions of Butch & Sundance and Thelma & Louise...Grandpa and I shooting our way out of the health-care clinic. :-) My middle name is Allen, named after my Granpa Al, so he will forever be with me, but more importantly he will be with me because of how he affected my life (he lives within me). I am a better person because of him, and I thank him for that. That square-old-man sure knew how to live! Love ya' Grandpa!##imported-begin##Guy Kovacs##imported-end##
I guess I'm going to sign this just so it is on the record. Aunt Toby and Uncle Al took me into their home and hearts when I was 4 years old. They really did treat me as their own daughter. The older I get the more I understand and appreciate how generous and special that was and how lucky I was to have them. They were my stability. They were my parents. Thanks, Uncle Al, for all the fun, a little discipline and tons of love. Looking forward to seeing you again.
Love, Squirt##imported-begin##Jeanne Kovacs##imported-end##
Wish we could of been there for you Toby. He was always a speial person to us. Our thought and prayers are with you always.##imported-begin##Jesse & Verna Wright##imported-end##
I always enjoyed the visits with Uncle Al and Aunt Toby. There was never a dull moment, always laughter. I will never forget something he said to me one day when he was playing his keyboard. He said, didn't know if I could do this but I am very glad I tried, Just remember you can do any thing if you just try.##imported-begin##Rita Hancock##imported-end##
Growing up with my family in Ohio I only visited "Uncle" Al and "Aunt" Toby once as a young boy, but driving a Model-T in a local parade and learning to water ski with Pat & Mike will always be my favorite vacation memories that I will never forget. They not only opened their homes to us, but their hearts as well. We will continue to keep you all in our prayers and take comfort in knowing that our Uncle Al is in a much better place and we will be with him again. God Bless
Love, Mike & Bonte Fugatt##imported-begin##Mike Fugatt##imported-end##
