Albert Stephen Pido

Born on August 20, 1947, in Munhall, Pennsylvania, Albert dedicated his life to the field of education and he loved teaching. He was an engaging, interactive educator who found a great sense of purpose in helping prepare children for their future. He loved talking with students and felt deeply that direct, attentive, and focused engagements would bestow a feeling of individual importance, inherently deserved, to each child. His efforts made a lasting impact on countless young lives.

Al graduated from Munhall High School in 1965 and went on to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Salem College, WV, followed by a Master’s degree in Administration & Supervision from the University of South Florida. His career spanned over 36 years in the Polk County school system in, serving in Winter Haven, Dundee, Haines City, and Lake Wales, Florida, where he began as an elementary teacher and guidance counselor. He worked at Bethune Elementary, Polk Elementary, Dundee Elementary, Boone Middle, and Gardner Elementary schools. Al later served as an interim principal, assistant principal, and principal at Snively Elementary, Elbert Elementary, Polk Ave Elementary, and Lake Mariam Creek Elementary.

Al was known for his quick wit, timely one-liners, and exuberant laugh. He loved a good joke (bad ones too!) and loved spending time with friends at Somewhere Sports Bar & grill, embracing a cold Bud Light and a bar stool. He enjoyed tending to his yard, spending quiet time on his patio, and watching Jeopardy each night at 7. And he commanded a personality that garnered life long friendships. As a devoted golfer, he traveled around the country playing in tournaments with a commune of close friends he engendered through the years. And when he wasn’t golfing, he was walking, logging at least 3 miles a day, every day. Al was a life-long fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Pittsburgh Pirates and could wipe the floor of competitors with his knowledge of sports minutiae at Pub Trivia. As anyone who knows him can tell you, he wasn’t mechanically inclined: not in house or car repairs, or working with tools, or yard equipment. But his many friends and neighbors helped him over the years and their friendship made Al’s life robust and rewarding.

In his final years, Al’s health was managed by the outstanding and physicians and caring staff at Bond Clinic. He spent his final months in the care of the compassionate and truly dedicated staff at Wedgewood of Winter Haven who cared for him like family.

Al is survived by his brother Ernest M. Pido, of Munhall, PA, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, John P. Jr and Helen K. (Romanchuk) Pido,, and his brothers, John P. Pido III,. and Eugene Pido.

A celebration of Al’s life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Al’s memory can be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, honoring his 20 years of devoted support.

Ott-Laughlin in Winter Haven, Florida, is handling arrangements.