Albert’s Final Journey

Posted by: Ismael J. Castillo

Under the clear, bright mid-day sky and a fairly cool springtime breeze, the body of Albert Ansay was laid to rest by his family and loved ones, friends, and hundreds of mourners on Saturday, April 4, 2009. Albert passed away on March 26, 2009.

Earlier visitations were held on Thursday, April 2nd and Friday April 3rd at Colonial Memorial Home in nearby Niles, Illinois. During the two wakes two additional chapels had to be opened to accommodate the steady stream of people who paid tributes to Albert or Ambet to many.

Adding to the huge number of sympathizers from the greater Chicago area relatives and friends came all the way from California, Idaho, Texas, New Jersey, Detroit and Windsor to offer comfort and support to the bereaved family.

For many who put Albert in high esteem, like the 39 members of the Cavinti Club of Greater Toronto who traveled the 9 hour trip by cars and others by bus, the chance to say good bye to Albert was something that they could not simply pass up. Mel Castillo delivered a eulogy.

After a short memorial service at the funeral home, mourners filed past by the casket to pay their last respect. Outpouring of emotions was endless. The funeral cortège then proceeded to the Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, a beautiful neoclassic catholic church in Glenview, IL where Albert and his family are parishioners.

A one-hour memorial mass was offered. In his Homily Father Andrew Luczak praised Albert’s strong Faith and his family’s active involvement in the parish. From the church the procession continued its way to the upscale, quiet neighborhood of the deceased with the hearse briefly stopping in front of his house.

The long motorcade continued along the thirteen-mile funeral route that culminated at the All Saints Catholic Cemetery in the suburban Des Plaines, IL. Military honor guards with solemn face of strength saluted as the hearse arrived and while the flag draped coffin was being carried to the grave by the white gloved pall bearers.

The pall bearers were composed of his sons, nephews, and some of the son’s friends. Albert was given the traditional graveside military honor in recognition of his serving in the US military’s branch of the Navy.

Momentarily the mourners were riveted at the honor guards’ perfect cadence, their precise execution of hand salutes, and the meticulous removal and folding of the US flag into a star spangled triangle.

A poignant moment left no dry eyes (men even cried openly) when the senior honor guard presented the flag to Albert’s wife Nellie, who’s flanked by her three sons, Allen, Andrew, and Marc. Amidst muffled sobs the senior honor officer delivered the following reverberating address:

“On behalf of the president of the United States and a grateful nation, I present this flag as a token of appreciation for the honorable and faithful service rendered by your loved one. God bless you, your family and the United States of America.”

Nellie clutched the folded flag to her chest while a bugler played the heart wrenching military dirge, the Taps. She kept on clutching the flag to her chest while watching her husband’s casket being lowered and the grave covered… thus ending Albert’s final thirteen-mile journey on this earth.

Related Posts:

• GOODBYE ALBERT, MY COUSIN…MY FRIEND
• Final Rites For Albert A. Ansay
• Albert A. Ansay March 8,1949 – March 26, 2009

Related Post

• GOODBYE ALBERT, MY COUSIN…MY FRIEND
• Final Rites For Albert A. Ansay
• Albert A. Ansay March 8,1949 – March 26, 2009