Albert S. Gebo, 77

SHEFFIELD, Mass. — Albert S. Gebo, born on August 7, 1941, passed away on June 5, 2019 after a 15-year battle with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL).  

He was the only son of Albert F. and Ethel Gebo, born and raised in Pittsfield, Mass. He graduated from Pittsfield High School then went to technical school to become a welder. He married our mother Jennie Fields on Nov. 10, 1962.  

Al and Jennie moved to Connecticut, where he worked for Pratt and Whitney and they had their three children, Tamera, Tanya and John. Feeling the Berkshires was a wonderful place to raise their children, they decided to move back home and started working for Southern Berkshire Welding. Before retiring he started a business called Weekend Seat Chair Repair. Having finally found his niche in life, this amazing artist repaired and restored Shaker, Cane, Rush and Wicker chairs/furniture dating back to the 1850s.

Al enjoyed all sorts of sporting activities and his most defining moments were returning to speed skating in his late 60s and early 70s. He was able to train at Berkshire School and the Pittsfield Boys and Girls Club. Seven years into his battle with CLL, he fulfilled a life-long dream and was able to skate on The Oval at Lake Placid.

Al was incredibly proud of his children and six grandchildren: Jessica and Ashley LaCosse and Olivia, Malcolm, Maeve and Emma Wilber. 

The family would like to extend its deepest gratitude and thanks to Dr. Deleo and all of his staff at Berkshire Oncology and the Transfusion Center at Hillcrest for taking care of him for so long and thus allowing him to work and walk until two weeks before he passed away.  Al’s dear friends Fred and Norman not only helped him with chairs when he could not do it but were a wonderful source of conversation and fun both in and out of the shop. All the folks at Pops Diner, who helped him through the wee hours of the morning when he could sleep no longer.  Last but not least, all the Critical Care staff at BMC, who took such amazing care of our dad in the final days of his life.  

Funeral notice: There will be a private burial on Friday July 12, 2019, and a memorial service on Saturday, July 13, 2019, at 10 a.m. at the Congregational Church in Sheffield, Mass.

In lieu of flowers a donation can be made to the Pittsfield Boys and Girls Club through Finnerty & Stevens Funeral Home, 426 Main St., Great Barrington, MA 01230.