Alfred Cecil Ebert

Alfred Cecil Dayton Ebert began his incredible 97-year journey on April 24, 1927 in Mansfield, NY born to Charles and Estelle (Toennies) Ebert, just an hour's drive south of Buffalo where his beloved Bills took the gridiron. It was here in a small farming community that he and his siblings, 8 older and 4 younger, grew up. Growing up on a farm was laborious but had advantages of fresh milk and cool apple cider, which, as the season wore on in storage became more potent, eventually leading to the children being cut off. The upstate farming community helped shape Alfred into a kind, caring, and selfless person. He enjoyed hunting and proudly displayed his 8-point buck that we have affectionately named Bob. The impacts of the Depression era mildly left a footprint on Alfred with frugality, but an unfriendly cow left a greater indentation on the family by taking his father from them much too early in November, 1935. This would lead to Estelle taking refuge in Ellicottville, NY and Alfred working on his older brother's farm for a while. Alfred would eventually take up work in a basket factory while the greatest generation took up arms overseas. His older brother, Irvin, would tragically go missing during the Battle of Bataan when the Japanese took the Philippines from General Douglas MacArthur. His sacrifice was commended with a check for $10,000 that, although not very consoling, did help the family through challenging times. In September of 1944, at the age of 17, Alfred enlisted in the U.S. Navy with his mother's assistance. He would go on to serve in the Navy for 22 years, making ports of call throughout the world on 8 different ships, serving during WWII, the Korean and Vietnam wars, the Cuban Missile Crisis, aboard ships escorting the president of the United States, as well as standing watch for the recovery of astronaut, John Glenn, all while receiving highly effective and extremely effective marks on his performance evaluations leading to his final rank of Chief Commissaryman. His evaluations were highly complimentary with one stating, "Since EBERT has worked in the galley, the chow has shown improvement." His family benefited from his skill in the kitchen long after his retirement from the Navy with him in charge of family and holiday dinners. Even the commissary potato salad with his added features of sliced eggs and sprinkled paprika were magical. Sorry to let your secret out of the bag, but it was the love that came with it that was the true secret ingredient. Alfred took tremendous pride in his service, with few achievements greater than his initiation to crossing the equator aboard ship. He proudly coveted a space in his wallet for the decree of his adventure in 1954. His service in the Navy also brought Alfred to his first love, Maxine Grossi. A native of Pensacola, she worked on the naval base where Alfred was stationed. The first time Maxine caught Alfred's eye, he turned to his companion and told him that is the woman he was going to marry. It was not long after that they were indeed married on June 21, 1946. They would reside in Pensacola where the first of two children would be born, Irvin Cecil Ebert, Sr., on April 23, 1947. Four years later their second son Arthur Eugene Ebert would be born in Corpus Christi, Texas on April 17, 1951. They would later return to Pensacola to raise their family with the help of Maxine's family as Alfred was deployed at sea. After retiring honorably from the Navy in 1966, he hired on at a few jobs even at one point working side-by-side with Maxine at Whiting Field (a short- lived adventure). Alfred did find a home as a civil servant at the local jail where he manned the kitchen until his retirement. During this time, he made a home on Frisco Road with his family where he was an avid gardener, managed a beautiful lawn of St. Augustine grass, built a workshop and stone BBQ by hand and flew Old Glory daily. He also patrolled his pecan orchard with a trusty BB gun scaring off any squirrels looking to get an early start on harvesting. Somewhat ironically, he would later feed these same squirrels the pecans once they had ripened. Alfred had a sensible hidden wit that shone brightly at moments. He loved spending time with his family and spoiling his grandchildren, although he always referred to Beth as his favorite granddaughter (don’t be too impressed as she was the only granddaughter until the boys started getting married LOL). In October of 1994, he lost his first love after caring for her throughout a long illness. It was not long after that lightning struck twice when Alfred found the second love of his life in the embodiment of Joan Altenbaugh of Detroit Michigan. They were married in Pensacola, FL on December 13, 1997. This was the beginning of a new chapter in Alfred's life as Joan kept him busy with Bridge and traveling the countryside for family visits. Alfred, however, was most comfortable at home. So much so that on one rare occasion of forthrightness he uttered a quip during a family trip that became an endearing moniker with the family, "Get in the car, Joan!", as he was clearly ready to leave. While Alfred was at home, the next family challenge was to see how long you could keep him on a phone call. He was not a fan of long phone conversations so anything over two minutes was considered an accomplishment. Alfred was a devout member of the Catholic Church and he and Joan became endeared parishioners of St. Anne Catholic Church in Pensacola, FL. Alfred shied away from the center of attention, often asking Joan to take the lead in such things which she did with grace and enthusiasm. It was this dichotomy that made them inseparable and cherishing of each other. They had a fabulous later life together celebrating with family and friends for more than 20 years until Joan's passing on August 16, 2018. Alfred's story does not end here as he continued to touch the lives of family and new friends. It wasn't long after Joan's passing that life's circumstances brought Alfred and his youngest son, Arthur, back under the same roof. It was an incredible blessing because Arthur was present to save his father from a cardiac event that surely would have taken him from us too soon. In turn, Alfred was able to provide support for his son when he needed it. Soon, additional assistance would be required to provide the care they both needed so in December, 2023 they moved to Georgia and Alfred became a resident of Vitality Living Milton in Milton, GA. Not surprisingly, he rapidly became loved by residents and staff alike. Alfred's kindness and charming words captured the hearts of all who met him. He had an amazing affinity for solving the word jumbles in the daily newspaper and had a twinkle in his eye when describing his multiple victories at bingo while pondering whether or not they would allow him to play again as he jingled the prize money in his pocket. He was greatly cared for and loved by his family and new friends until he began his final rest on August 21, 2024. Alfred is survived by his grandchildren: Irvin Ebert, Jr., Beth Umbaugh (Mark), Chris Ebert (Sondra), Steven Ebert and Andy Ebert, his great-grandchildren: Jonathan Ebert (Haley), Matthew Tomlin, Jaycee Ebert, Kierstyn Ebert, Brittany (Richie) Russell, Sean Ebert, William Ebert and Abby Ebert, and his great-great-grandchildren: Jon Luke Ebert and Mazie Ebert, and his sister Beatrice Martinez. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Maxine, his second wife, Joan, his sons Irvin, Sr. and Arthur and 11 of his 12 siblings. Alfred is returning home to Pensacola, FL to be laid to rest with Maxine and Joan at Barrancas National Cemetery on September 3, 2024. The family thanks Darby Funeral Home (Canton, GA) and Waters and Hibbert Funeral Home (Pensacola, FL) for their care of our dear Alfred.

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Alfred Cecil Ebert

April 24, 1927 - August 21, 2024