Aloys Fohl

Aloys Michael Fohl CHESAPEAKE - Aloys Michael "Al" Fohl, born Feb. 15, 1936, died Friday, Nov. 6 2009, at his home in Chesapeake. A native of Cedar Grove, Ind., he was the son of the late Aloysius Joseph Fohl and Evelyn Jonas Fohl. His brother, Bob Fohl, predeceased him. His wife, Nancy Wood Fohl, along with Al's brothers Paul and Jim Fohl and their wives, Janet and Janet, and Al's sister-in- law, Marge Fohl survive him. Al is also survived by his son, Doug Fohl and his wife Cindy, along with their children, Kaitlyn, Tyler and Emily; his son, John Fohl and his wife Mona and their son Greg; his son, Mark Mansfield and his wife Cindy and their children, Lauren and Chris; his daughter, Kathryn Wilson and her husband Charles, along with Kathryn's children, Joshua, Matthew, and Taylor Michael and Matthew's children, Ella Claire, Londyn and Channing. A resident of Tidewater for 51 years, Al served in the U.S. Navy from 1954 to 1958. Al earned a business degree from Old Dominion University in 1962. While a student of ODU, Al was president of Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity. Al's business career began with Small's Hardware on Hampton Boulevard where he was employed while attending ODU and after graduation. It was while he worked for Small's Hardware that Al learned the fundamentals of business which gave him his foundation in business. Al started in the propane industry in 1966 with Esso, LP. In 1974, he established AM Fohl Inc. which evolved into what is currently A&B Propane on Military Highway in Chesapeake. Al was a member of Khedive Temple-Hillbillies Unit, Chesapeake Chamber of Commerce, lzaak Walton League of America, Virginia Train Collectors Association and past member of the Chesapeake Jubilee Committee. As committee chairman of the Buena Vista Christmas Flood Relief of 1985, Al set up a collection campaign and personally distributed relief aid to Buena Vista residents and children who suffered from the flood. The Dec. 23, 1985 relief effort brought food, goods and presents to families and children of Buena Vista and surrounding areas who otherwise would not have had a Christmas to enjoy. Another example of Al's generosity is when Al and Nancy were in Mexico, they visited a Tarahumara Indian village in Copper Canyon where the children walked barefoot for hours each way to attend school. Al decided right then and there to buy shoes for the children. Al asked his guide "How many kids?" and before Al left the village, approximately 75 children had shoes on their feet. Al was an outgoing, fun- loving person who loved people and music. He organized the famous Eastern Shore "Shore Party" which benefited the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and Eastville Fire Department. Al and Nancy traveled extensively during the last decade giving Al great happiness in his last years. Memorial services will be held Saturday, Nov. 14, at 2 p.m. in St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 233 Mann Drive, Chesapeake, VA 23322, with a reception immediately following at the church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Khedive Shrine Center/ Transportation Fund, 645 Woodlake Drive, Chesapeake, VA 23320. Donations used specifically towards transportation needs of patients and families of physically challenged and burned children at the Shriners Hospitals for Children. H.D. Oliver Funeral Apts. is handling arrangements. Online condolences may be offered to the family through hdoliver.com.