Aloysius 'Al' Peter Tabaczka, age 94 of Manistee, Michigan, died Monday, December 24, 2018 surrounded by his family and the compassionate care givers at the Manistee Medical Care Facility.

He was born on July 30, 1924 in Manistee, Michigan, son of the late Katherine (Kushnak) and Stanley Tabaczka. He attended St. Joseph Catholic School, Class of 1943. Al is a WWII vet, proudly serving our country in the U.S. Army from 1943 - 1946.

Coming back from WWII, Al, like many other veterans, were seeking not only the solace and comfort of home, but also looking for a job. He was hired by Century Boat and then decided to take a job at a local gas station. In 1961, he opened 'Al's Phillips 66 Service', a full service station. In 1981, Al then became the owner of a Marathon station up until his retirement in 1988. In his retirement years, he ran a snow removal business through 2014.

At a very young age, Al found his musical gift by teaching himself how to play his father's concertina, and then later the drums. In his early 20's, his love of music led him and his younger brother Ray to form a band known as 'Al's Swingsters.' You could find them playing their favorite polkas at many special occasions. Music remained a big part of Al's life as he continued to play through the years with friends.

September 5, 1959, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Manistee, Michigan, Al married Delphine Kaczmarek. They started their marriage together by building a home, focusing on their love of family by raising four children, and creating everlasting friendships with their neighbors. They were married for 54 years until Delphine's passing. They both were lifelong members of Saint Joseph Catholic Church of Manistee.

Al enjoyed being out in his yard. Whether it be tending to his garden, or giving his grandkids rides on the John Deere tractor. He was known as a lifelong fan of the Chicago Cubs baseball team. He was certain that they would eventually win a World Series title, and could not have been more thrilled to see it happen in 2016.

Al is survived by his three daughters and a son in-law, Bonnie Higgins of Grand Rapids, MI, Kay Fortier of Manistee, MI, Amy and Allan Duchon of Lakeville, Minnesota, son Ray Jr and Linda Tabaczka of Grand Rapids, MI, friend Kraig, nine grandchildren, Josh (Stacy), Tim (Amie Jo) Shaena (A.J.), Rachel (John), Ashley, Crystal (Tristan), Will (Leanne), Alex, Adam, and thirteen great grandchildren. Numerous nieces, nephews, in-laws and friends also survive him.

Preceding him in death were his parents Katherine and Stanley, brothers Anthony, Bill, Harry 'Jerry', Ray and Ed; sisters Cecylia, Lucille and Florence Tabaczka.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, December 31, 2018 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Manistee with Reverend Zeljko Guberovic officiating. Burial will follow at Mt. Carmel Cemetery also in Manistee where members of the Manistee County United Veterans Ritual Squad will present military honors.

The family will receive friends at the church on Monday morning one hour prior to the funeral Mass at 11:00.

The Herbert Funeral Home of Manistee is in charge of funeral arrangement.