Mr. Myers was born January 24, 1927 in Batavia, a son of the late Charles and Marion (Balfour) Myers.
At age 11, he worked for adult wages on the Elba muck. He delivered newspapers by bicycle, set bowling pins, and in the winter, ran a muskrat trap line. He served during WWII with the U.S. Marine Corp and was awarded medals for marksmanship. He was stationed in Guantanamo Bay Naval Base in Cuba.
After an honorable military discharge, he was employed by U.S. Gypsum for 11 years and survived severe injuries from a mine tunnel collapse. He farmed and ran a chicken egg business.
He was trained as a draftsman under the Kennedy-Johnson Jobs program in 1952 and retired in 1989 from Eastman Kodak Co. as a master draftsman engineer.
Al Myers was an exceptional craftsman in home repair and antique restorations and a gifted landscaper. His land and home was his passion. An avid naturalist and protector of wildlife, Al was also a marble shooter, game player, chess player, hunter, lover of dogs, cats, and Laurel & Hardy. He was a renowned billiards player, friend of Native Americans, and a Civil War enthusiast. He helped found the 44th NY Volunteer Civil War Regiment and was instrumental in the development of the North South Skirmish Association, where he won many marksmanship medals in antique firearms competitions.
He delighted in driving his restored 1941 military Jeep in local parades. His sense of humor was beloved by friends and relatives. He was a member and Past Commander of the Hiram G. Luhman Post 626 American Legion where served on the honor’s team and was active in the Memorial Day Flag Program, placing American flags on Veteran’s graves in many local cemeteries.
He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Ruth (Rectenwald) Myers, whom he married on July 9, 1949; four children, Stephen (Bertha) Myers of Chicago, Patricia Smith of Oakfield, Jean (Edward) Seeber of Plattsburgh and Bonnie Madden of Oakfield; 9 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren.
Friends may call from 2 to 6 p.m. on Tuesday at H.E. Turner & Co, Inc., 403 East Main St., Batavia. A Mass of Christian burial will be at 10 a.m., Wednesday at St. Padre Pio Parish, St. Cecilia's Worship Site, 56 Maple Avenue in Oakfield. Memorials may be made to Wounded Warrior Project, 370 7th Avenue, Suite 1802, New York, NY 10001. Burial will be in St. Cecelia's Cemetery, Oakfield.
