Albert M. Selvin

Pawling - Albert Michael Selvin passed away unexpectedly while riding his bicycle in Pawling on Sunday, October 11, 2015. He was 56. He is survived by his wife Debbie and their two children, Maggie and Jesse, his mother Rhoda, his sister Barbara and her husband, and his many nieces and nephews.

Al was born in Berkeley, CA. With two academics for parents, he spent his childhood in Rochester, NY and Stoneybrook, NY as well as a sabbatical year in London and Paris when he was 4. He attended the University of Michigan, where he majored in Film and Video Studies. Upon graduation, he moved to Madison, WI for his Master's Degree in Communications, where he met his future wife Debbie. The couple lived in the Midwest and New York City before moving to Pawling, NY in 1992 with their one year old daughter, where they made their home.

He was the Director of User Experience at Verizon and was at the forefront of his field, receiving his PhD in Knowledge Media from the Open University in the UK in 2012. An avid bicycle rider and musician, he is remembered for his unbridled passion for playing music with his friends and son, and his ambitious bicycle rides, including a 7-month solo trip around Southeast Asia in 1986.

But his strongest love of all was for his family. He was an unconditionally loving husband and father and will be best remembered for his selfless, unwavering support for his children. A truly humble and gentle soul, he touched the lives of all who knew him with his generosity and warmth.

Memorial Services will be held at Horn & Thomes, Inc. Funeral Home, 83 East Main St., Pawling, NY on Thursday, October 15th from 2-4 and 6-8pm. There will be an opportunity to share thoughts and memories at 7:30pm.

In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer contributions to the Elephant Sanctuary in Hohenwald, TN or Guiding Eyes for the Blind in Patterson, NY, in honor of Al's great love for animals.

For directions to the funeral home or to leave a condolence, please visit www.hornandthomesfuneralhome.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Poughkeepsie Journal on Oct. 14, 2015.

Memories and Condolences
for Albert Selvin

18 Entries

Errol Moultrie

July 14, 2023

I like to get express my deep condolences to Debbie and the kids. I met Al at the University of Wisconsin he was my film instructor. We hit it off & would bike around Madison and the countryside. He spoke about having met you Debbie & plans to move to NY. I was looking in my old briefcase came across the post card he sent me, went to Google him & found he had passed away. We was really nice & caring person.

Linda

October 7, 2022

Forever in our hearts and in our music. We love you, Al.

Jamie Winshell

November 1, 2015

I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Ab was a truly inspirational person who spread his love of life those around him. The Selvin family is in my thoughts.

Elizabeth and Mike Yamashita

October 26, 2015

Wanted to say again how very, very sad we are over the loss of your dear brother, Barbara. Loss is never easy, but when it is added to the shock of the sudden ... it is so much harder. But what a legacy he left.

Geraldine Brooks

October 21, 2015

Condolences on your sudden loss. Comfort, maybe, in imagining his happiness on that lovely day, doing what he loved..."he shall not grow old, as we who are left grow old...age shall not weary him, nor the years condemn..."

Lynn Haggerty King

October 20, 2015

To all the Selvins - profoundly sorry for your loss. Al (or Ab as I fondly remember him) had such a gentle and wonderful spirit, and will always hold that special place in my heart reserved for younger brothers.

That wonderful afternoon after DIA Beacon. Friends forever.

linda Puiatti

October 20, 2015

We love you Al, forever you will be in our music and in our hearts.

bart louwagie

October 20, 2015

Unconditional love, unwavering friendship, you taught us so much Al. Thank you for having been part of my life.

Joel Epstein

October 19, 2015

My condolences to your family and hoping that there is great music and excellent biking in heaven. - Love, Joel

Michael Viafora

October 19, 2015

I grew up on Long Island with the Selvin Family . I am very sorry for your loss .

Kristine Chambers

October 16, 2015

To the Selvin Family,
I want to express my deepest sympathies for your loss. Al was a great person and a pleasure to work with.
We are all shocked and extremely saddened by his sudden passing.

John Russo

October 14, 2015

To The Selvin Family,

Al was my friend and colleague at Verizon. I was very shocked and saddened in hearing of his passing. I first met Al when we started working on a project to improve our call centers in 2007. He brought such passion and creativity to the job and to improving the experience of our agents and customers. Al would sit with the agents and listen with an open ear to discover the challenges the agents faced and noted their suggestions to improve our systems. The thing that struck me the most about Al, was that he really cared. He was extremely intelligent and he applied his knowledge to developing solutions . He made a difference. A difference for the employees that worked with him and a difference for our customers. He inspired us all to give our very best. When Al and I had an opportunity to sit and talk, we spoke about our families and a smile would come across his face when he spoke about Maggie and Jesse and their educational pursuits. I know he was very proud. Al made a lasting impression on a lot of people at Verizon and will be sorely missed. My family and I will keep you in our prayers during this difficult time. I will greatly miss my dear friend.

October 14, 2015

Jesse,
We don't have enough words to say how sorry we are for your loss. Just wanted to say that you and your family are all our thoughts and prayers.
Love
Ajjampurs

Mai Nasser

October 14, 2015

To The Selvin Family,

In memory of a life so beautifully lived...a kind and caring soul taken too soon. For some moments in life there simply are no words. Al will truly be missed. My heartfelt condolences on your loss.

Kimmarie Aichelmann

October 14, 2015

My thoughts and prayers go out to Al's family. Al will definitely be missed by his friends and co-workers.

Nancy Charalabakis

October 14, 2015

Debbie, Maggie and Jesse, We are so sad about your loss. I want you to know we talked as a family and when we remember your husband/dad they are only fond memories of such a nice caring person. Last I ran into him was at the dump 7:30 am and he was in his shorts ready to take a bike ride. It is a wonderful thing when people remember him it is in such a positive place. He was truly a nice person and you are so lucky to have had him in your lives, as we were to know him. He was always so proud and in love with his family.

Danielle Fitch

October 14, 2015

For Al's Family,

From my family to yours, our deepest sympathies. There just aren't any words.

Tom Burke

October 14, 2015

Debbie, Maggie, Jesse and Family,

So, so very sorry for your loss. Al was a colleague, friend, mentor and occasional voice of reason to me. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him and worked with him here at Verizon. What I'll miss most is our discussions on non related work topics especially music. Someone defined success as leaving the world a better place and in that regard Al was truly a success many times over. My thoughts and prayers are with you all at this time.

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