It’s with a very heavy heart that I write these remembrances about my cousin, Allan.  Allan was a son of my dad’s sister, my Aunt Helen (Pinta) Strempel, and was six years younger than me.  His older brother, Ed, and I were born in the same year, 1940.

Our families were very close during our growing-up years.  One of my vivid memories of Allan is when he and his family moved into their Mastick Rd. home in Fairview Park about1952.  Allan would have been 6 years old.  He, Ed and I never seemed to tire of playing hide and seek in their large basement, where there were several rooms and many nooks and crannies to hide.  Back then, Allan had the nickname “Spooky,” which came about one day when his dad, my Uncle Myron, looked at him in his bassinette and remarked, “Hi Spooky!”  

I moved from Cleveland to Columbus in 1962 to attend med school, but my parents remained in Cleveland until the late 1980s.  Often when I visited my parents, Allan and I played racquetball at the Back Wall courts on Lorain Rd.  Allan and his brothers were the athletes among us cousins, but we loved playing together, and somehow I managed to put together some competitive games.

I had lost close contact with Allan for a number of years until January this year.  I was in the process of writing a memoir and had several great conversations with Allan by phone and then emails.  We talked about his diagnosis of mesothelioma, but he was doing well, still golfing and his keen sense of humor had not changed.  I was shocked when his brother Ed called me recently to tell me that his illness had taken a rough turn.

I was unable to attend his Celebration of Life at the funeral home, but my prayers and love are with his wife, Chris, and family, and I cherish deeply the many wonderful thoughts and memories from the past that he continues to provide for me.

Chris and family,
I'm so sorry for your loss. I worked with both of you in the 90's at the phone company. I fell into the "gang" of people surrounding Al. We shared breakfasts and lunches on most days together and did nothing but laugh to the point I often thought we'd be kicked out of the cafeteria. But that was Al, always with a grin on his face and a quick quip about something. He was just so much fun to be around! While we lost touch for a number of years after I left, I'm glad we could reconnect more recently as it was always nice to see both your smiling faces. Please let's continue.  Here's to Al, a great guy, friend, husband and father.
Joanne

Well I'm so sorry for you'll lost I knew and he was a very nice person I knew he loved his motorcycles and his family was his world! I send my prayers and thoughts to his family and friends who loved him and cherished every moment they spent with him!!

So sorry to hear about Al's passing.   Al was a good friend during our 30's, 40's and 50's when we were still young enough to play racketball, which we did together on many occassions.  Our hearts go out to Chris who was also a friend from Brecksville.  The last time I remember seeing Al and Chris was at an Indians game in the 90's or 00s.  Since then, retirements have taken us on different paths.

Ralph and Helen Wilhelm

Al was a nice guy.  He and Chris would organize the AT&T bowling it was such good times.  He will be missed.  Prayers going out to Al & Chris family and friends.  R.I.P. Al you will be missed.

Enjoyed catching up with Al and Christine  out in  Goodyear
Arizona for lunch and  an Indians game.  Went to Fairview High 
together and lived in Olmsted Falls together.  Spent 10 years
in Phoenix Arizona together !  Bill and I feel terrible that we 
are not returning to Cleveland in time for Funeral Services.
Bill was in the Army in Vietnam and we will be buried in same 
military cemetery at Western Reserve !  Blessings to Christine
and Wagner Family.

OBITUARY

Allan James Wagner

February 19, 1946 – May 11, 2025

Corrigan Craciun Funeral Home

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