Obituary of Albert J. Hajdasz

     It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of our beloved father and grandfather, Albert J Hajdasz, who passed away peacefully at his home in Remsen, NY on February 4, 2024, after a brief illness surrounded by his loving family at the age of 88.

     Albert was born on August 1, 1935, in Utica, NY and grew up in Deerfield.  He was a graduate of Whitesboro High School where he met the love of his life and future wife, Eileen Beal. They were married in 1958 and settled in Remsen, NY where they raised their six children.  They were married for 62 years before Eileen’s passing in 2021.  

     In 1958, Al was drafted and served in the US Army in Korea and Ft Benning, GA. He was honorably discharged as a SP4.  Albert had a highly successful career in excavating, working as an operator for Joseph Beaton & Sons, a partner at G&H Excavating and then as Owner/Operator of A.H. Excavating, which he ran for over 50 years. 

     In retirement, he split wood, managed his gravel bed, hauled deliveries in his dump truck and operated his Bobcat.  He hosted breakfast with the “boys” in his kitchen each morning throughout the off season. He spent his afternoons working with his sons and other excavators in his pole barn getting the equipment ready for work in the spring.

     Albert was a devoted and loving husband, father, grandfather, uncle, and friend.  He lived life to the fullest with no regrets. An avid game hunter, he always looked forward to opening day of deer season.  In 2023 he proudly scored a doe and a 6-point buck. As a devout Catholic, he never missed a Sunday mass or holy day.  If you could not find him on his equipment, in his pole barn, in the woods, on his side-by-side Ranger, or in church, he would be in his armchair watching the Yankees or KC Chiefs, in a casino, or talking to one of his children, grandchildren, relatives, or many friends on his iPhone.

     Albert was predeceased by his wife, Eileen, his mother, Mary Fritts, and his sister, Barbara Jones.  Albert is survived by his six children Wayne (Chris) Hajdasz of Waterville, NY, Cheryl (Brian) McIntyre of Charlottesville, VA, Linda (Butch) Driscoll of Enfield, CT, John (Edrean) Hajdasz of Trophy Club, TX, Joel (Kelly) Hajdasz  of Remsen, NY, and Shawn (Laine) Hajdasz of Utica, NY; grandchildren, Carissa (Patrick), Danielle, Kaitlin, Brendan, Ethan, Jesse, Jodi (Kristopher), Leland, London, Olivia, Grace, Jordan, Taylor, Sydney, Shawn Jr.; great grandchild, David; former daughter-in-law, Robin Hajdasz, sister-in-law, Monica Stefanski, and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

     Visitation will be held on Wednesday, February 7, 2024, from 4:00-7:00 p.m. at the Heintz Funeral Home, 408 Herkimer Rd, Utica, NY. In lieu of flowers, those wishing to make a donation in Albert’s memory, please consider Shriners Children’s Hospital, PO Box 947765, Atlanta, GA 30394  (www.lovetotherescue.org).  Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend Albert’s Mass of Christian burial on Thursday, February 8, 2024, at 9:30 a.m. St. Joseph & St. Patrick’s Church 702 Columbia St, Utica. Interment will take place at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Whitesboro.