Albert J. Kecken, Jr. died peacefully, surrounded by his family, on Sunday, December 1, 2019 at the Carolina Continue Care facility in Pineville, NC.
A life-long resident of Baltimore, MD,"Big Al" was born on December 9, 1939, and leaves behind his loving wife and soul mate of 59 years, Mary Jane Kecken (Hughes) of Catonsville, MD; his sons, Albert J. Kecken, III (Kathy) of Fort Mill, SC, Scott Kecken (Joy) of Culver City, CA; his grandchildren, Heather Howe (Matt) of Rock Hill, SC, Matthew Kecken (Laura) of Rock Hill, SC, Michael Kecken of Colorado Springs, CO and Tawadi Kecken, of Culver City, CA, as well as a great-grandson, Patrick Kecken, of Rock Hill, SC, and a sister, Cheryl Benge of Edgemere, MD.
Al is preceded in death by his parents, Albert J. Kecken, Sr. and Ellen Kecken (Smith) and a brother, Brent Kecken.
He graduated high school in 1958 from Baltimore Polytechnic Institute. Al worked hard over the years at a variety of positions, eventually retiring from the Accounts Payable Department at Lafarge in 2003. Al was an avid train enthusiast, and even had several train tattoos. The large train garden he created was enjoyed by many, especially his grandchildren and great-grandson. He loved to tinker, and there was nothing that Al couldn't repair or improve. A big fan of Jimmy Buffet, he enjoyed attending concerts with his granddaughter.
Al and Mary were fortunate to be able to travel the U.S. and abroad, going to Ireland twice. Al's last trip abroad was to Italy, in March 2019, with his son, Scott, and grandson, Tawadi. Al enjoyed the peacefulness of Fort McHenry in Baltimore, and he and Mary would often spend an entire afternoon enjoying the calmness of the water and watching the boats and ships.
Al's kindness and gentle spirit will be missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him. Words cannot adequately express how much he was loved by his family, and the void that his passing has made.
There will be a memorial and celebration of his life on April 25, 2020 in Baltimore, Maryland.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that a donation in his memory be made to Al's favorite charity, St. Jude's Children's Hospital.
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