Albert Lee Richwagen

Albert “Al” Lee Richwagen, age 86, formerly of Medford, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, February 15th, 2022 in Advent Winter Park Hospital, FL. Al honorably served in the Air Force for 10+ years and retired honorably discharged from active service. His service brought him all over the world including places like Japan, Cuba, Taiwan, and including being an established citizen of Canada. After retiring from the Air Force, Al brought his leadership skills to a District Manager job at Marshalls, opening several stores on the East Coast of the United States, that eventually led him to establishing a life in Florida. During my conversations with Al, he shared his Air Force service matured him from being a wise guy to becoming a real man, a man of fellow veterans to satisfy family values. Al is survived by his wife, Nancy, sons Jason, Joel (wife Sarah), and Alex (wife Carly), Jon Endelos (fiancé Ann). He also leaves a legacy with several loving grandchildren to “Grandpa Al” including Austin, Sam, Ava, Roxanne, Jle, Jace, and Samantha. One word that describes Al is perseverance, the ability to overcome and make something more of his life than originally dealt. He felt getting out of the inner city with survival instincts was the right move to escape to establish a family without a strong support system on his own. Al’s idea of being a good friend is represented through fairness, each party giving 100% built on trust. He spoke very vividly and passionately about Don Watts, a friend for 30+ years, and how their relationship regardless of professional hierarchy, always shared a mutual understanding to make things better. He enjoyed Don’s sense of fairness, his good sense of humor, fishing trips, and being a good “disher outer”, with the ability to take some good jabs. He was most proud of all his sons for their unique gifts to the world with being successful, educated, and good fathers. When asked about his philosophy on life and business, Al had this to say, “always leave em laughing, be a good host, family is everything in life, treat them with love, treat individuals as individuals, be first in your pocket, if you loan someone money, don’t expect to be paid, give it as a gift.” His advice for life and his grandkids was “Don’t be greedy, selfish, be fair, be a thinking person, just b/c superiors want you to be a certain way, be yourself, can't trust things to work themselves out, you need to make sure it works, quick on your feet/brain.” Some of his favorite isms were “Muggy, Don’t Meddle, Fella, Good Man, Yummy, Be Fair but kind, Cheers to my loved ones, I’m here to listen”. Our most fond memories with Al represent family times, Sunday night dinners were his favorite, boat rides, and lunches at local restaurants throughout Orlando, FL, or date nights with Nancy. Al wanted a private sendoff, to be honored for his service, family, and way of life in a simple fashion. Out of respect for his wishes, the family will not be holding a service. If anyone wants to make a donation in lieu of flowers for Al Richwagen, the family asks to donate to the American Kidney Fund, to see those impacted by kidney disease, to receive a better quality of life and please reference Al’s name on any contribution.

Albert Lee Richwagen

April 26, 1935 - February 15, 2022