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Albert Hala Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for Albert Hala
Sponsored by The Hala Family.
Laura
December 15, 2022
From my FB timeline:
On December 15, 2003, my only sibling, Albert, died suddenly at age 19. When al died, in many ways, time stopped and a division formed in my brain. Kinda like BCE and CE but rather before and after al. Every memory now exists for me on a timeline of happening before or after his existence. I think about things that I bought, like my first car I purchased on my own was after al died. Or, the last time I was at this restaurant, I had a brother.
I have been perseverating this particular day for many years and the time has come. This afternoon, at 1:32 p.m., he will have been dead longer than he was alive. This absolutely blows my mind! This past week in particular, I´ve been reliving some of the memories from this day and the days proceeding his death. For those of you curious, I´m sharing for not only myself to process my feelings but also to give some insight as to what losing a sibling or a close family member might be like if you have been lucky enough to avoid what I call the Dead Peoples Club. In many ways I feel like I am a founding member, at least within my own peer group. I was only 24 when he died and was still a child myself. One very close friend had lost her father to cancer the prior December and her and I could relate on some level what that kind of grief felt like in our 20´s.
When I think of today, lots of random memories come to mind. Like, when my mom tried to tell me that he had died via phone, she said "we lost al". For those of you who knew my brother, this might not have been an odd comment and I myself certainly didn´t understand those words. I responded with "where did you leave him?" Never in a million years did I expect her to tell me he was dead. I remember speculating the cause of death with my parents. My best guess was an aneurism? We had NO idea what had happened until day 3 when the coroner called and informed us his heart was twice the size it should have been, his lungs were full of fluid, and his spleen enlarged. Still no definitive diagnosis.
As news spread, al´s friends called our house asking for him, thinking it was a prank. It was our new reality telling people he was dead. At some point, we unplugged the phone. My parents walked around the house like zombies, we went to dinner every night but never ate, no one wanted to be home because you could almost hear al coming down the stairs. I helped my mother return his Christmas gifts at service counters. They all asked for a reason. I can assure you, they were not expecting our response.
I remember his showing at the funeral home. The line was out the door of family, teachers, new friends and old. I helped my parents identify his friends in the receiving line. Given this was 2003, young guys wearing trench coats was popular and I remember my father referring to one of al´s male friends as "ma´am". If there was a favorite part of the funeral, it was when his young brave friends stood before 100+ people and shared stories of ridiculous shenanigans from high school and weekend fun. There was some story about "my tea" at band camp that I never quite understood, but they thought it was funny. Before leaving the funeral home to head to the cemetery, we struggled to close his casket one last time. My parents did not want to say goodbye to their son or me goodbye to my brother. For those of you waiting in your cars, you must have wondered what in the world was going on because this was at LEAST an hour-long ordeal. Hala´s are known for procrastination and this was no exception. I remember my dad cut a piece of his hair, I remember hitting the edge of the casket with my hand and my mother telling me not to be mad at him. His friends lined his casket with video games, books, pictures, and cds. My parents and I wrote messages on family pictures and had them laminated, we placed a piece of flooring from 622 W. Hines Hill in there along with a piece of my beloved blankie, Poohie. My mother insisted that al where his black shoes and, the poor guy was soo tall at 6´7´´, he almost didn´t fit. Upon arrival to the cemetery, I was a paul bearer and my shoes sunk into the mud. I also remembered I wore a pair of navy pants instead of black.
About 6-weeks later, we met with the coroner in downtown Cleveland and learned al had ultimately died from Thyroidtoxicosis. It´s a rare weirdo thyroid autoimmune thing. Life for my parents was never the same. I had to get used to them telling new acquaintances that they only had 1 child because they could no longer relive the retelling of the story of al. My dad would visit al often at the cemetery and write to him on his obituary page that still remains today. I visit my family but not as often as I should at Crown Hill. But, what is really important is that they knew that they were loved and I know that they loved me. As we get closer to the holidays, be kind and try to understand that this time of year is especially hard as there are empty seats at tables, breaking hearts, and life long memories of people no longer here.
John Hala
January 4, 2007
Hi Al,
Mom, Laura (she came in from Toledo) and I visited you on December 15th. We miss you very much. Although that date is especially terrible for us, we still gather to say "hello". At least, the weather was very nice.
We also stopped at Grandma & Grandpa Hala's grave as well as Uncle Bob's.
Miss You
Dad
John Hala
July 22, 2006
Hi Al,
Yesterday was your birthday. Mom and I visited you and said hello to Grandma and Grandpa Hala and to Uncle Bob. You never knew your grandpa but you two would have gotten along very well.
To our surprise, there were 3 balloons tied to a teddy bear. One balloon wished you a "Happy Birthday", another had "We miss you" and the third said "We love you". Mom and I later found out that your sister, Laura, had them placed. She has a lot going on in her life and it is very nice that she makes room in it for you.
miss you, Al
Dad
John Hala
January 4, 2005
Al, I stopped by to mark with you, the start of another year. The wreath we placed on the 15th. of December is still there. However, it is populated with a teddy bear and another one close by. In the ground, I found your name spelled out in wood letters.
I do not know who is leaving these remembrances, but I am sure AL appreciates them. I am so pleased and thankful that Al had friends who cared this much.
Thank You
Al's Dad
Lisa Ozello
June 9, 2004
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Hala,
I am so very sorry to hear about Al. I was one of his teachers at Lawrence School. I will always remember Al for his warm smile and great sense of humor. He was always able to find humor in everything and followed it up with a great laugh. He will be remembered warmly.
You are in my prayers.
Lisa Ozello
Earl and Angela Snyder
December 21, 2003
John, Carol and Laura,
We were so saddened to hear the news of Albert's passing. He was such a sweet and caring young man.
You are all in our prayers.
If there's anything we can do, please get in touch with us.
Sincerely,
Earl and Angela Snyder
Stephanie Gentile
December 20, 2003
Uncle John, Aunt Carol, Laura and Aaron,
Even though the funeral is now over, I still cannot bear the thought that Al is gone. I am so glad that I got to spend that evening with you three (minus Laura and Aaron) at that Italian resturant in MI when you visited June in the spring of this year. I remember him and I eating calamari. He had so many interests and was so easy going which always made for a good conversation. I'll miss that. I am going to dig out that picutre of him with the spoon and keep that in eye-shot in my room. Try placing some of your grief to God. He is always there for you, it's never too late. I know He'll help get you through this and ease the pain. That is how many of us are dealing with this tragic loss. If you ever need anything, please do not hesitate to call. We love you all very, very much!
John & Carol Love
December 19, 2003
Carol, We are so sorry for your
loss. Please accept our deepest
condolences.
Briana and Dean Overholt
December 18, 2003
Dear Uncle John, Aunt Carol and Laura,
I will always remember Albert and the times we shared together during Christmas at Great-Grandma's house. I wish that we had all spent more time together as the years went on so that I could have seen him grow into a young man. Our thoughts are with you during this time.
Love,
Dean and Briana
Desiree Juby
December 18, 2003
Uncle John, Aunt Carol and Laura,
My thoughts and prayers are with you guys during this difficult time. Although I don't have recent memories of Albert, my fondest recollections were of his childhood. I'll never forget Christmas Eve at Great-Grandma's, we used to play cards, sing Christmas Carols (particularly "Up On the Rooftop with Diane), and I'll never forget his rosy cheeks and that bright smile. I only wish I had been able to know him better as he got older. With sincere love, Desiree Juby
Gene Stepanik
December 18, 2003
John and Carol -
My prayers are with you. Please accept my condolences and heartfelt sympathy.
Brianna Christian
December 17, 2003
To the Halas...
You're in my thoughts. Laura, I love you, and I'm thinking of you... all my sympathies...
With Light and Love-- Bri
Jen and James Hall (Leipold)
December 17, 2003
Mr & Mrs Hala and Laura,
You will be in our thoughts and prayers.
God bless,
Jen and James
Rob Kadish
December 17, 2003
Hey. bro! man can't believe your gone so soon! Well hope you are happy with a computer in heaven, man. god speed! Later.
Rob "KDog" Kadish : )
Jennifer Hilker
December 17, 2003
I am so sorry to hear about your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Lindsey Sobeck & Cathy Leighton
December 17, 2003
We are truly sorry for the loss.
Jen Lu
December 17, 2003
Laura, Mr. & Mrs. Hala,
Just know you're never far from my thoughts and the thoughts of many, many, many others. We're here for whatever you need.
Jen
Kirsten Yates-Konzen
December 17, 2003
Al,
A summary in ‘your’ style:
Bright, unconventional protagonist enters scene, touches hearts, leaves ‘em wanting more.
Thanks for being you.
Kirsten Yates-Konzen
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