It is with a
profound appreciation for a life well lived that the family of Albert
Preston Fogarty announce his peaceful passing at the Queen Elizabeth
Hospital, Prince Edward Island on Saturday, September 21 st , 2024.
Albert leaves behind his beloved wife, Judith; his
five children and ten grandchildren, Tracey and her husband, John
Bennett (Jake and Ally), Al (Patrick and Marie), Bob and his wife,
Donna (Gavin, Jay and Erin), Kerri (Garrett), Kelly and her husband,
Paul Cantelo (Julia and Sophie). Albert also leaves behind his three
cherished sisters, Claire, Lois and Georgie and their families, many
dear nephews and nieces, sister-in-law Joan McClintock,
brothers-in-law Russell and John McCabe, and countless
friends.
Born into a close-knit farming
family, Albert grew up on the Seven Mile Road, Cardigan, Prince Edward
Island with his father Wilfred, mother, Julia and his eight siblings.
Gifted with boundless energy, Albert lived a full life dedicated to
his community, his province, his country but most notably his
family.
After graduating from St.
Dunstan’s University with bachelor’s degrees in
arts and education, Albert began his career as a teacher at Montague
Regional High School but subsequently assumed the position of teaching
principal at Souris Regional High School in 1964 at the young age of
23 years old. SRHS and its staff, students and parents always held a
very special place in his heart. While raising his young family,
Albert engaged in graduate studies at the University of New Brunswick
and Saint Francis Xavier University, completing his Master of
Education degree in 1977. Later in his educational career, Albert
assumed the role of provincial Superintendent of Education and
Executive Director of Holland College’s Adult and Community
Education Institute. Albert’s contributions to education in
Prince Edward Island were recognized by the University of Prince
Edward Island in 2019 when he was awarded an honorary
doctorate.
Albert’s political
career saw him first elected as a progressive conservative member of
the PEI Legislative Assembly in 1979 representing the district of 1 st
Kings, which he was honoured to be a resident of such an amazing
community. Re-elections followed in 1982, 1986 and 1989. He held the
positions of Minister of Health and Social Services and Minister
responsible for Addiction Services and Civil Service in the 1980s.
Additionally, Albert chaired the cabinet committee on social policy,
served as Opposition House Leader and as Opposition Finance Critic.
Always humbled and honoured to be elected, Albert worked tirelessly
for his 1st Kings constituents and fellow islanders throughout
his political career.
Albert was committed to his
community. He was a member of the Souris Lions Club, Souris Knights of
Columbus, and was a member of the Rotary Club of Charlottetown.
Provincially, he worked tirelessly with the Prince Edward Island
Teachers’ Federation and the Prince Edward Island Arthritis
Society. Nationally, Albert represented his province at the Canadian
Teachers’ Federation and later in his career with the Health
Council of Canada. Albert’s contributions were recognized
when he was awarded the Centennial Citizenship Citation in 1973 and
the Commemorative Medal on the 125th Anniversary of Confederation in
1992.
While widely remembered for
his educational and political careers, Albert was first and foremost a
family man and faithful friend. Devoted to his wife, children,
grandchildren, extended family members and friends, he will be
remembered for always "being there." His presence will be
sadly missed by his golf friends, his coffee club comrades but most of
all by his loving family.
A loving father, a doting
grandfather (poppy, grampy, grandpa), a cherished brother and uncle,
Albert touched so many lives. His family draws comfort from knowing he
will be reunited with his parents (Wilfred and Julia) along with his
siblings, Joyce, Joseph, Gerry, Kenny, and Phil.
Resting at Ferguson Logan Montague Funeral Home, with
visiting on Monday, September 30, 2024, from 3:00pm to 6:00pm. Funeral
mass to be celebrated on Tuesday, October 1, 2024, at 11:00am, All
Saints Catholic Church, Cardigan. Interment to take place in the
Parish Cemetery.
Donations to the PEI Parkinson Association are kindly
accepted.
PEI Parkinson Association
81 Prince St
Charlottetown, PE
C1A 4R3