Alexander "Al" Jorgensen

Alexander August “Big Al” Jorgensen, 73, of Normal (formerly of Oak Forest, Illinois) was granted release, with love and comfort, from the pain and indignity of Lewy Body Dementia on June 6, 2020 at Advocate BroMenn Medical Center in Normal, Illinois.

Born at Little Company of Mary Hospital on December 16, 1946, to Alexander O. and Lucinda Jorgensen, he grew up in Oak Forest; despite the fact that he and his mother might never have made it to the hospital had it not been for a band of happy revelers from the corner tavern who pushed their ambulance out of the ditch into which it had skid, almost tipping over.

Having been sweethearts since 1966, Al and Starlyn “Star” Frenck were married on June 19, 1971. As Star lovingly said, “I was in love with the big idiot.” Toasting Star on their 25th wedding anniversary, Al said, “Had I known it was going to be this much fun, we would have gotten married a lot sooner.”

Following in his father’s footsteps, he became a carpenter, working last out of Local Union 237, retiring in 2016.

He will be greatly missed by all whose lives he touched—by his many friends, family and extended family, by his beloved nieces and nephews and goddaughter, by his dearest friend Stuart Brand of New Lenox, Illinois, who was more his brother, but most of all by his two sons of whom he was so very proud—David (Britnay) Jorgensen of Maricopa, Arizona, and Brad Jorgensen of Normal. Fortunately, he was still cognizant enough to experience the joy of the birth of his grandson Michael Alexander, born to David and Britnay in January 2018.

He is survived by them, along with Star, and his siblings: Linda Jorgensen of Florida, Nancy Gaye (John) Wojcik of Florida, and Wayne (Cheryl) Jorgensen of Illinois. He is also survived by his brother-in-law Wayne (Dianna) Frenck.

He was preceded in passing by his parents.

Thinking always of others before himself, he was a volunteer for the Central Illinois Down Syndrome Organization and a recipient of their Matthew Ryan Turnis Award. Before its closure, he was also a volunteer with Clare House in Bloomington, Illinois.

Almost every day of his life, he said, “If I die tomorrow, I will die a happy man.”

Thank you, Big Al, for at least waiting this long so that we could have so many happy “tomorrows” with you.