Alvin Benjamin Courtney

It is with great sadness that we share the passing of Alvin Benjamin Courtney, 74, of Finksburg, MD, formerly of Baltimore and Churchville, MD, on Wednesday, August 20, 2025, of natural causes at his home. Alvin was born on September 2, 1950, at Havre de Grace Memorial Hospital in Havre de Grace, MD, to Iona Rebecca Thompson and Benjamin Sylvester Courtney, a descendant of George Calvert. He was the youngest of four siblings. Al played Little League baseball in Churchville, MD, for many years with his father, Ben, as coach, and remained a lifelong Orioles fan. He attended Bel Air High School, where he was a drummer in the marching band. Al was also the drummer and backing vocalist for the classic rock band The Fidelities. He attended the University of Baltimore, graduating with a BS in Accounting. His professional life included accounting, payroll, finance and management positions with Stewart's Department Store, London Fog, Commercial Credit and Baltimore County Public Schools. Al was also principal and founder of landscape equipment repair firm Yardware. Al was a deeply private man who was happiest at home, which was his haven. He was a math whiz who still tackled challenging math proofs and completed endless sudokus - and his other favorite, crosswords - daily. Al adored vintage cars and was knowledgeable about automobiles from every era. He also greatly enjoyed music, especially classic rock, and he often played his drum set along to his favorite tunes at home. Al loved to design and build things as a hobby and was a talented self-trained architect and carpenter. He got a kick out of his "ABC" monogram - and had regular poker nights for over 50 years with a treasured group of friends that brought him a lot of joy. Al loved to be surrounded by his family and was always happy to drive or fly wherever needed for fun family events, especially those involving his beloved granddaughters. He was a cherished "Dad" and "Pop Pop". Al especially enjoyed visiting new places, and delving into their unique histories; he also looked forward to annual beach trips with family on Cape May, NJ and Nantucket, MA. Al adored good chocolate (especially with almonds), authentic Maryland crab cakes, perfectly-grilled steaks, sweet tea and margaritas with salt. In late July 2025, the family gathered on Nantucket, MA, to celebrate Al's upcoming 75th birthday. He enjoyed beach and pool time, long talks with family, strolling in town and delicious meals surrounded by those he loved best. Al is survived by his daughter, Evonne C. Connolly, son-in-law Robert T. Connolly II, and granddaughters Caroline and Olivia Connolly of Washington, D.C. and New York, NY; sister, Mary Lou Gallion, nephew, Senator Jason C. Gallion and his wife Sonya and daughters Marie, Eliza, Helen and Clara of Aberdeen, MD; sister-in-law Margaret Murray of Bel Air, MD and her sister, Edna Magness of Churchville, MD; niece Pamela McKenzie, her family and her husband James McKenzie of Colorado Springs, CO; ex-wife Sue Courtney of Jarrettsville, MD and ex-wife Kathy Courtney of Nottingham, MD. Al was predeceased by his brothers, H. Neil Murray and Thomas Eugene "Gene" Murray, his brother-in-law Charles "Lewis" Gallion and his parents. A viewing and funeral service, with a reception following, will take place on Wednesday, August 27, 2025, from 11 am to 2 pm at Zellman Funeral Home in Havre de Grace, MD. Following the reception, Al will be interred at Smith's Chapel United Methodist Church Cemetery in Churchville, MD.