The Tribune

By ALESHA CADET

Tribune Features Reporter

acadet@tribunemedia.net

ALTHOUGH short in physical stature, many Long Island natives knew Larry Alfred Albury as a “giant of a man.”

It was December, last year, when Mr Albury flew into Nassau for surgery for his recently discovered cancer. Father Burton, Rector of St Peter’s Anglican Church, said that was a visit Mr Albury never returned from. He passed away on January 7, leaving his loved ones to cherish his memories.

Laid to rest at St Mary Magdalene Church, Glinton’s Long Island, where he once served as lay reader, president of the Church’s Council, choir director and chalice bearer for many years, Mr Albury’s service gathered Bahamians from all across the island, Saturday.

“It was reminiscent of a homecoming or regatta celebration but it was just to say good bye to this local hero who was called home to his great reward,” said Father Burton.

Mr Albury was born February 1, 1951 in New Providence. He joined the staff of IBM Bahamas Ltd, beginning at an entry position as a computer operator and retiring twenty six years later as the senior accounting specialist at the company.

Father Burton in his eulogy at the funeral service said he wanted to use the letters of Larry’s name to describe his life.

He said: “L denotes Larry’s loyalty to his church, island and wife by the fruits you shall know them. Secondly, A, he was an altruistic person, he gave of his time, talents and treasures to the honour and glory of God. Many words can be used to represent the two R’s but I chose reliable and resilient. Larry was always creating ways and means of generating funds to effect necessary repairs and maintenance to St Mary Magdalene.”

He said the letter Y depicts that Mr Albury was “your” friend and his. Father Burton said Mr Albury had an extraordinary range of skills and was a person of grace, patience, wisdom and humour.

“This home going service would be a celebration of life for a man who lived in the shadow of the cross. At the culmination of the Eucharistic celebration, I led the procession of altar servers, lay readers, catechists and priests down the Queen’s Highway as far the historic Glinton’s Community Park and back to the church’s graveyard. Many parishioners were teary eyed but happy to know Larry had finished his course on earth and now finds rest and refreshment,” said Father Burton.

Before Mr Albury’s funeral service, Father Burton said priests from a cross section of the Diocese celebrated his legacy in a memorial service at the Parish Church of Holy Spirit, Chippingham. 

In attendance at this service was Father Peter Scott, Rector of Holy Spirit Church, Father Mark Fox, Father Atama Budhu, Father Sebastian Campbell, Father Addison Turnquest and Father Jude Edomwonyi.

“Larry Albury’s spiritual navel string would have been buried in holy spirit many years ago. He would have conducted the senior choir for many years and the choir turned out to render tribute for the yeoman service he delivered to the body,” said Father Burton.

Father Mark Fox, former rector of St Peter’s Parish, North Long Island preached the sermon. “This cadre of priests was proud to be partakers of this historic moment in time. After the two hour Eucharistic celebration at Holy Spirit Church, the body was airlifted and transported to Long Island for burial,” said Father Burton.

Upon arrival to Long Island, the body was transported to Burnt Ground Gospel Chapel, which is pastored by Larry’s widow ‘Lorene (Tankie)’ Father, Lennox and Mother Agnes Taylor. The church, once owned and operated by Larry Albury, is now being operated by his widow.