Gil Cramer
The wooden canoe Shop, Inc.
Just received word that Al Hemmingsen, former WCHA member and canoe restorer, died of pneumonia. Funeral Mass was Sat., Feb. 17th. Burial will be March 5th in Arlington National Cemetery. Al was 83 and a marine vet from WWII. He had been in ill health for some time, and hadn't done much canoe work in years. In January, along with his dog, Sam,he had moved from his beloved cabin on the north branch of the Ausable to an assisted living facility in Roscommon.
Al spent his entire working career as a salesman, and was quite a talker.I don't know how many times he told people that I was his partner. His optimism for having a restoration completed almost always exceeding reality. Al could be exasperating if taken too seriously( can't we all). Hadn't seen him in some time, but talked on the phone often. I'll miss him.
Al spent his entire working career as a salesman, and was quite a talker.I don't know how many times he told people that I was his partner. His optimism for having a restoration completed almost always exceeding reality. Al could be exasperating if taken too seriously( can't we all). Hadn't seen him in some time, but talked on the phone often. I'll miss him.
