Albert Walter Brussel

Albert Walter Brussel
Old Forge/Webster, NY
Albert Walter Brussel of Old Forge and Webster NY, passed away peacefully, with loving family by his side, on December 22, 2025 at Highland Hospital in Rochester, NY after a rich and well-lived life of 97 years.
Al was born in 1928, the firstborn son of E. Albert and Gertrude Brussel, attended and graduated from the Town of Webb School and enlisted in the US Navy where he trained as an airplane mechanic. He was assigned to the US Bennington aircraft carrier in the Mediterranean Sea where he operated the catapult system. He brought his trusty camera along. His family was often treated to a slide show, complete with narration, of his time at sea and the many side trips he took. Even as recently as 2025, the great grandchildren sat around the screen with him.
In 1955, following his time in the Navy, Al married Ruth Nelson in the Big Moose Chapel and they settled together in Thendara where they built a home and lived for 70 years, raising their children and then spoiling their grand and great grandchildren.
Al, along with his father and brother, operated Brussel's Thendara Garage. They sold Mobil, Texaco and Sunoco Gasoline (all at the same time!) and provided exceptional mechanical work. The business also had a tow service and Al had a knack for taking the tow truck into all manner of crazy locations around the Adirondacks to rescue stranded or wrecked vehicles. The Brussels operated the south bound school bus for the TOW schools until approximately 1980; they also provided chartered bus services to many of the local summer camps as well as organizations throughout the Adirondacks and beyond.
In the 1950s, the Brussels custom-built Blitz Buggy fire trucks, many of which are now owned by antique automobile collectors. Al was thrilled this past fall to attend the Blitz Buggy Muster on the village green, where he was a celebrity among the owners of several trucks that he designed and built.
Al was an avid (and awesome) skier from the time he could walk. He learned on Maple Ridge and raced and ski-jumped competitively as a young adult. Al was still skiing at McCauley (on Sky Ride, of course) into his late 80s. He even got to try out the new chair lift last fall.
Al was a lifetime member of Niccolls Memorial Church, 75-year member of Northwoods Masonic Lodge, and a lifetime member of the Old Forge Fire Department. He served on the Board of Directors of the Community Transportation Service, volunteering as mechanic, dispatcher and driver. Al spread his talents and caring throughout the community, helping others in his own quiet, unassuming way, and avoiding acknowledgement at all costs.
Al leaves behind Ruth, his beloved and devoted wife of 70 years; Brother Bob (Peg) Brussel; Brother in Law, Stuart (Maryann) Nelson; daughters Lynn Brussel of Sodus; Julia (Bob) DeBadts of Sodus; Betsy (Byron) McCulloch of Palmyra Va; and special son Henry (Aleta) Jaen of Catskill; Grandchildren Zack (Emily) DeBadts, Ben (Melanie) DeBadts, Abe (Lisa) DeBadts, Doug (Melissa) McCulloch, Kevin (Gin) McCulloch, Abby (Mike) Carlin and Kelsey McCulloch and 12 precious great grandchildren- Evan, Jackson, Kendall, Connor, Leah, Paige, Nate, Jack, William, Oliver, Jacob and Magnolia.
Al was predeceased by his parents, E. Albert and Gertrude Maxson Brussel and his precious son, Billy Brussel.
The family would like to thank all of their dear friends, neighbors and relatives as well as health care providers, who stepped up to help over the last few years, making it possible for the Brussels to stay in their home so long and truly enriching their lives in
so many ways.
A Memorial Service will be held at Niccolls Memorial Church including a Masonic funeral service on Memorial Day weekend. Saturday, May 23, 2026 at 2:00 PM a reception will follow.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Niccolls Memorial Church, the Community Transportation Service LTD or Old Forge Volunteer Fire Department.
For online expressions of sympathy please go to www.dimblebyfh.com