Alvin G. Cash

Alvin G. Cash, Jr... Was born October 20, 1924 in Staten Island, New York, and died at his home on June 19, 2011. As a young man, known as Alvin, he grew up on the streets of New York City, learning the secret, and the not-so-secret ways of emotional and physical survival. He clawed through his adolescence gathering the tools that would help him become a gloriously loved and highly respected man in the eyes of his friends and hearts of his family.

He enlisted in the United States Navy and began training as a salvage diver. He served two years, traveling the seven seas and conducted hundreds of salvage dives. Upon being discharged in December, 1941 - 3000 miles from home - he began hitchhiking cross-country only to be picked up by a driver who informed him Pearl Harbor had just been bombed. His reaction upon arriving back in New York was to join the US Merchant Marine. Surviving many torpedo attacks and having 2 ships go down under his feet, Al returned to New York City.

During the following years he had a myriad of careers and interests, seemingly always to be taking one step better than the last at every stage of his life. His first civilian job was delivering fresh baked bread, making many stops throughout the mornings at the shops and delis of Staten Island. Shortly after that, he put himself through radio broadcasting school and broke into the business with the style and savoir-faire of a man on a mission. He began making a respected name for himself in radio, local stage, and public speaking. His talents brought him to memberships in the Freemasons, Knights of Columbus, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and a bevy of area social clubs.

In the middle of all that personal growth, the Korean conflict broke out, and he was called back to the Navy, ultimately committing to an additional two years of active duty as an engine room mechanic aboard a Navy destroyer. Surviving yet another foreign war, Al returned again to New York and launched himself back into his radio career that would take him through four states, New York, Kentucky, Virginia and finally Florida.

He began in Haines City when WGTO had a handful of staff and a pocketful of equipment in a single room at the base of the Haines City Hotel. From there the station moved to Cypress Gardens and became the showcase of radio in and for all Polk County, featuring Al as the morning show host, and emcee of many events that followed in Cypress Gardens’ heydays. When WGTO changed formats, it was time to grow even more, and do tours with WLAK in Lakeland, as well as WSIR and WINT radio stations in Winter Haven, with more shows, appearances, and emceeing positions for many productions. When the demands of radio announcing became greater than its rewards, Al took an abrupt turn in his life, and went to work for State Farm Insurance as a Property Claims Adjuster. His 20 years with the ‘Farm’ were a whirlwind of recognition and awards for job after job well done, for his grace and style as a claim handler, and perhaps most importantly, for his inerrant and unfailing ‘gentlemanly’ relationship with every soul he came in contact with.

Al is survived by his wife Lori, 5 children Alvin George Cash, III, Susan Weimert, Debbie Anderson, Wayne Cash and Gary Frank, 11 grandchildren, 23 great grandchildren, and 4 great-great-grandchildren. He left indelible memories for so many friends...but the greatest memories he leaves behind are to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren who will always remember him as “famous”; his children for whom he had so much pride and who will remember him as gracious and forthright; and his beautiful wife, Lori – for whom he referred to as his ‘heart’ and who will remember him as her true soul mate.

Memorial Services are Saturday, June 25, 2011 at 11:00 am at Ott-Laughlin Funeral Home, 645 W. Central Avenue, Winter Haven.

In lieu of flowers, contributions to Good Shepherd Hospice, Auburndale, would be appreciated.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.ott-laughlin.com