Albert (Al) Ackerman, 82, passed away on January 23 after a short illness. Al was born on June 25, 1936, in Stockton, CA, to Albert and Annette Ackerman. He graduated from Lodi High in 1954 and joined the U.S. Navy where he served for four years, much of that time overseas. Al Ackerman and Eleanor Howard were married on April 13, 1957 in Lodi. Al was involved in a variety of different careers over the next few years before earning his B.A. from Sacramento State and going to work with the California Youth Authority. He was a Group Supervisor for the CYA for 20 years, retiring in 1991.
Al enjoyed fishing, traveling and spending time at the family cabin and was an avid 49er fan. Al and Eleanor enjoyed their travels to Germany, Italy, France and England, and in June 2007 took their children and grandchildren to Italy for a 50th wedding anniversary celebration. His family will miss his wit and sense of humor and he will be remembered always for his integrity and his generosity.
Al is survived by Eleanor, his wife of 62 years, and his four children, Sharron Mulvihill (Patrick), Richard Ackerman, Mark Ackerman (Rachael) and Chris Johnson (Rick). He loved his grandchildren: Jacob Ackerman, Susan Ackerman, Nicole Estrada, Caitlin Mulvihill, Megan Mulvihill, Daniel Johnson, Nicholas Johnson, Synnove Vaars and Seth Cook-Roberts.
A Celebration of Life for Al will be held on Saturday, February 2 at 11:00 am in the Wine and Roses Garden Ballroom. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the individual’s charity of choice.