MAYVILLE- Louis “Al/Lou” John Albert, 92, of Mayville, passed away at Duke University Hospital in North Carolina on Saturday, September 26, 2026, following a lengthy illness.

He was born September 10, 1934, in Fort Meade, SD, the son of the late Louis J. and Florence Champney Albert.

Louis was a 1952 graduate of Belle Fourche High School in South Dakota. In 1954, he joined the United States Air Force, where he spent the next 20 years traveling the world, earning the rank of Tech Sergeant and emerged as a decorated veteran with many ribbons, medals and badges, including the National Defense Award, Air Force Command Badge, Armed Force Expedition Medal and Korean and Vietnam Medals. He was assigned to Air Force One and Air Force Two for a period of his service time and received an award for flying over 10,000 hours with no fatalities.

Upon his retirement in September of 1974, he and his late wife, Mary Jo “MJ” Ellen Shaw Albert, moved to Chautauqua, New York. They took over the family business “Shaw Laundry and Apartments” for the next 38 years. In this time, Louis also became a School Bus Driver for Chautauqua Central School, retiring after 25 years in 2002. He was also the Fire District Treasurer for the Chautauqua Fire Department for 11 years.

Louis loved to stay busy in the early years after his retirement as well as long after his retirement. He enjoyed exercising, gardening, spending time with his family, joking around from time to time, shopping, traveling, and especially loved spending time at the casino, and talking politics to anyone who would listen. He loved sharing fond memories and his life experiences. He will be deeply missed by his family.

He is survived by his two daughters; Lisa Paulus of Dewittville, NY, and Donna (Hosein) Kamelbake of Whispering Pines, NC, five grandchildren; Brittney (Alex Haas) Paulus of Salamanca, NY, Leah (Michael) Lyons of Batavia, NY, Robert Paulus of Mayville, NY, Ashley (Derek) Johnson of Woodbridge, VA, and Rahmean Kamelbake of Grimesland, NC, six great-grandchildren; Scarlet and Harper Haas, Kennedy and Bennett Lyons, and Isabella and Stella Kamelbake, two sisters-in-law; Linda Brownell of Bluffton, SC, and Beverly Albert of McKinleyville, CA, two brothers-in-law; Melvin Baldwin of Mayville, NY, and Jerald (Karen) Shaw of Port Charlotte, FL, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

In addition to his parents and his brother, Charles “Charlie” Donald Albert, he was preceded in death by his loving wife of 62 years; Mary Jo “MJ” Ellen Albert, his son; Louis J. “Johnny” Albert, a brother-in-law; Eric Brownell, a sister-in-law; Eunice Baldwin, and a nephew; Martin Wright.

There will be no immediate services observed.

Memorial donations can be made to the Chautauqua County Humane Society (2825 Strunk Rd, Jamestown, NY 14701).

To leave a remembrance or to post condolences to the family, please visit freayfuneralhome.com