JOHNSON
Albert "Al" Duane
Nov. 27, 1961 - Oct. 3, 2014
Albert was a man who loved the outdoors. When he wasn't taking a phone call, sending e-mails or contemplating a solution to a problem, he liked to unplug and be close to nature. Whether that meant riding his horse, spending hours building goat and sheep pens, or heading out to his cabin where he loved "roughing it" with no power or running water, he was a down to earth country boy who respected the land and enjoyed hunting game on that land. His favourite place to be was at home on the farm, especially in the spring when all of the new baby animals were born into the bustle. He also loved watching football and cheering for the Stamps! Go Stamps Go! Albert was very involved in the community and had a reputation of being a good man, a good leader, and a good friend, sitting as a director on the Bashaw Agricultural Society. Though he looked forward to the day that he could be a full time country boy, he dedicated his life to help thousands of working men and women across the province, both union and non-union alike. To improve their standard of living and working conditions, he was the right man for the job and he put his whole heart into everything he did. Albert was first elected as President of the United Food and Commercial Workers Union, Local 1118 in 1986 and was the longest serving, current, UFCW Canada President in the country. Albert was a mentor, teacher, negotiator, and leader who was well known and respected as someone who would stand up to bullies and would give the shirt off his back to anyone in need. He was especially proud of the work that Local 1118 did to help fight for the rights of thousands of Temporary Foreign Workers by not only seeing they were protected day to day on the job, but also guaranteeing their nomination for residency. A man of simple tastes, he wasn't much into fashion and flash, but he did love taking his mustang for a cruise with the love of his life, his wife Tammy, whom he met in 2000 and married on August 2, 2003, in San Francisco. He loved his family dearly, was a strong family man and very proud of his children and his grandson. While his job kept him very busy, he cherished all the time that he could spend with his loved ones. He is survived by his wife Tammy (nee Green); daughter Stephanie Jean Johnson (Edmonton); son, Ryan Scott Johnson (Edmonton); step son, Mark James Zirrie (Regina); Devon Curtis Zirrie (Regina); grandson Zachary Christopher Zirrie (Regina); mother, Jean Johnson (Delburne); brother, Doug Johnson (Val) (Red Deer); brother, Sam Johnson (Theresa) (Delburne); sister, Nancy Hughes (Kevin) (Moncton); sister, Terry Davidson (Derek) (Delburne); as well as all of his many nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles. Albert was pre-deceased by his father Franklin (Frank) Johnson. Services will be held at the Harvest Centre in the Marquis Room at Westerner Park, Red Deer, AB on Friday, October 10, 2014 at 3:30 pm. A Celebration of Life to follow the Service at 5:00 pm. Flowers can be sent to Alternatives Funeral and Cremation Services, 12 East Lake Way NE, Airdrie, AB by no later than Thursday, October 9 at 4:00 pm or in lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Albert's name to Leukemia Research c/o Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada, Alberta Branch, 110 - 1202 Centre St SE, Calgary, AB, T2G 5A5.
Messages of condolence may be left for the family at www.myalternatives.ca.