Our Brother

At the memorial service for Al, we believe that Kim Schoonover captured in just a few words what Al was all about, when she said: "Al was a role model for so many people - young and old. He taught us that we have to take time to do what makes us happy, live with open hearts, and have the courage of our convictions... He unabashedly took a big huge bit out of life. That is what he would want us to do. We will forever feel our brother Al in our hearts and hear him in our heads saying, "Off you go" - guiding us to live life just a little bigger."

Al's younger brother, Eddie, commented at the memorial service:

From the time we were old enough to be with each other and commence our journey; you were special and filled so many of our family roles:

You were the younger brother and you were the older brother

You were a mentor and tormentor to us

You were the “fun” one and yet you were seriously stubborn

You looked out for us and were always there when we needed you

You were a great son who loved his parents; and, you were an ideal uncle to our children and we loved you for it

You set a good example for us through your loving marriage to Kelley; and, your obvious devotion to Bri & Foofina was something we tried to emulate

You were carefree and always enjoyed life to its fullest

We think of our brother, Al, as someone who had a heart of gold and was ready to help out in any way. We all grew up together and experienced many challenges, which played a role in determining who we became. Although each of us is different and unique; there’s no question that the three of us always had a strong bond that kept us inseparable. This bond, created by our blood, was always impervious.

When reality took us away to Richmond, VA; Pembroke Pines, FL; or San Diego, the bond and commitment to our inseparability never wavered. When we had differences, as all families do, we worked them out immediately and continued our journey. To paraphrase a famous poem, our journey continues without your enormous footprints but we realize that it just means you're in heaven looking out for us - your brothers.

Anyone who knows our family is aware of the deep passion we share for the sport of soccer. Let me tell you about a special time in our youth that I’m sure led to him becoming the coach and mentor that you all know.

In the late 70’s, my brother, Al, and I attended Benjamin Tasker Jr. High in Bowie, Maryland. This presented me with the only opportunity I ever had to actually play on the same soccer team with Al. He was the 9th grader and I was the 7th grader – it was clear whose team it was and who was in charge. Al was our sweeper and goalkeeper – he always fancied himself as a young Franz Beckenbauer. More importantly, he was our unquestioned leader and captain.

During the season we rolled through the schedule and no team was even close to challenging us. Because I was a speedy player, Al made me the striker on the team. We had a great thing going – he’d play through balls to me, send me to space, a quick one-two – we were years ahead of the average player who didn’t grow up with the sport. We won games by five, six, seven goals and I was scoring in bunches. It was perfect. Who would ever be able to stop us?

Then came the final – we’d beaten the team before and we were confident – perhaps overconfident. The game didn’t play out as we had hoped and it was tied at the end of regulation. Instead of playing extra time or golden goal – we were submitted to sudden death penalty-kicks. Not a round of five but one at a time. An England fan’s worst nightmare.

Al calmly called everyone over and started to convey his steady sense of leadership by telling us that everything would be fine and it was OK. He told us about how important the game was and how much it should mean to us all. He spoke about taking the reins and making sure everyone understood that it was time for the team leader to step up. I have to say that I was quite relieved – I hated penalty kicks. As Al finished his comments, meant to rally the troops, he pointed at me and said, “You’re taking the kick.”

I was completely horrified. I couldn’t even get him to reconsider – “It should be you. You’re the captain. You’re the older brother.” He told me to calm down. Everything was going to be fine, “Don’t worry, you’ll be fine. You’ve scored 75% of our goals. You need to get up there and do it. I have your back.” It was unbelievable. The other team scored and so it was up to me to tie.

I tried not to completely lose it and placed the ball on the PK spot. The pressure was just unbearable. I looked at the keeper and said to myself – “he’ll dive right or left. Where should I go?” I stepped up and struck the ball perfectly – with pace and accuracy – right down the middle. Except the keeper never moved – not a muscle. The ball hit him right in the chest. I couldn’t have felt any worse. It was my fault that we lost. I turned around for the promised comfort from my older brother – “HOW COULD YOU HAVE MISSED THAT? WHAT ARE YOU THINKING KICKING IT RIGHT AT HIM? THAT IS THE DUMBEST THING I’VE EVER SEEN. I CAN’T BELIEVE YOU.”

That evening we took the customary long walk back up Kembridge Drive to our house. On the way, Al tells me – “You know they’re going to announce the score over the intercom tomorrow. And they’re going to say that you’re the one who missed the kick.”

All that is but a snapshot of the man you all knew as Al – your son, husband, father, cousin, nephew, friend, coach, coworker, etc. - but to us – he was our dear brother who can never be replaced but will always live in our hearts.

Al, we want you to know that along with family and friends, we will make sure that Kelley, Brian and Kristen are taken of.

Brother, you will be greatly missed…We love you!

Al's brother, Joe, had this to say:

I had a difficult time thinking of a story that I could share about Al and me. But as I thought more about what would bring you the essence of Al, I thought I could tell about our last vacation together, last week, at the Outer Banks.
Well, really it was the day before we went to the beach - Al, Kristen, Bella and I decided to go to Busch Gardens for the day. The four of us went to Busch Gardens and my daughter, Bella, loves roller coasters and wanted all of us to ride the fastest ones. I HATE roller coasters, so Al, the good sport that he was, decided to ride the first one with her. As he was getting off the ride he looked pale and as he was slowly walking towards me, he said, “Dude, you got the next one!” I obviously laughed and said, "NO WAY!" Then we went on a water ride. Bella, Kristen and I were riding on this round floating device that went up and down and underwater hoses. Well, Al was the only one of us who wasn’t wearing a bathing suit. As it would have it, of course Al was the one who ended up at the right places to get absolutely soaked! I laughed at him…and of course I knew that he was going to try to get me back.

Joe and Al Alvarez So we went to lunch, of course in Germany, where the big beer pub was. Afterwards, the girls wanted to go back on the water ride, so Al asked that I go with them because he didn’t want to keep walking with wet shorts…so I did. As I was going through this ride, I was getting absolutely soaked. It seemed like every water spout was pointed at me and getting me wet.

So as I was getting off the ride, the girls went ahead in line to go on the ride again. I see Al and he is bent over laughing at me so hard…So I say to him, "Can you believe how wet I got? It was like every spout was right on top of me!!!" So he turns around and there are four or five guys laughing at me as well. He then walks me over to this location where you can pay to squirt people going on the ride!!! He actually paid money so these folks and he could get me wet!!! Boy, he thought it was hilarious!!

So then it was going to the rollercoaster ride again. At this point, he “guilts” me into riding with him, Bella and Kristen. He knew that I was having a “cow” over riding the rollercoaster, especially after lunch! So we finally get to board the Lockness Monster…Bella and I are in the front of the cart and Kristen and Al are behind us. So as we are going up and down and upside down, he yells something that is best left un-said here… I immediately went from being petrified to laughing so hard…THAT WAS AL, HE WAS GOING TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU HAD A GOOD TIME! He loved life and everyone around him!