Albert Judd Cattell, of Ann Arbor, formerly of Waterford, passed away November 14, 2019 at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital. He had just celebrated his 90th birthday surrounded by his loving, extended family.
Born November 3, 1929 in Pontiac, he was the son of Albert Malcolm Cattell and Colette (Connolly) Schafer and the husband of Norma Jean (Wiscombe) for 53 years. Al was an executive at General Motors for 38 years, after having attended Central Michigan University. He cherished his house on Loon Lake where he raised his family and entertained countless friends through the years with barbeques and boat rides. “Big Al” loved a good party! He loved music too, especially jazz, Latin, and reggae, and enjoyed singing karaoke. He also had a passion for working out and staying fit. When he retired from GM, he didn’t slow down. Al threw himself fearlessly into life as a hypnotist, calypso band manager, and magician. Even at Glacier Hills, where he spent his last 8 years, he brought his warm smile and lively sense of humor, cruising the halls in his scooter, singing in the choir, and occasionally finding himself in “hot soup.”
Lover of life and giver of life, Al is survived by his 6 children, A. Craig Cattell, Cynthia Cattell, Cathy Burt (Greg), Mike Cattell (Amy), Michelle Tiernan (Pete) and Christina Cattell; 12 grandchildren, Nicole Cattell, Brent Cattell, Drew Cattell, Matthew Gibson, Michelle Gibson Wallace (John), Amanda McKay (Dave), Bryan Burt (Marybeth), Michael Cattell (Courtney), Lindsay Cattell, John Tiernan (Kirstie), Bobby Tiernan and Meghan Tiernan; 10 great grandchildren, Myla Seder, Saul Seder, Madison Wallace, Cole Wallace, Drew McKay, Jackson McKay, Scarlett Burt, Dylan Tiernan, Norah Tiernan and Miles Tiernan.
He is also survived by his brothers and sisters, who called him Bud and spent a lot of time laughing together, Virginia Farris, Colette Palopoli (Frank), Linda Charbonneau (Cle), Tom Schafer (Jessica), Chuck Schafer (Sally), Pat Coe (Ed), Mary Cloud (Mike), Bill Cattell (Suzanne), sisters-in-laws, Marlene Crews (Dave) and Karen Goodwin as well as numerous nieces and nephews and extended family.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and his wife Norma Jean (Wiscombe) Cattell.
A Celebration of Albert’s life will be held on Sunday, December 29th at 2:00 pm at the Muehlig Funeral Chapel, 403 S. 4th Avenue, Ann Arbor, MI 48104. There will be visitation from 1:00pm until time of the service. He will be laid to rest at Ottawa Park Cemetery in Clarkston, MI.
In honor of Albert, memorial contributions may be made to the Ann Arbor Summer Festival or to St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Ann Arbor.
DONATIONS
Ann Arbor Summer Festival210 Huronview Blvd Suite 1, Ann Arbor, MI 48103
St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church2250 E. Stadium Boulevard, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48104
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