Albert L. Willard

Albert L. Willard, age 89, of Lakeville, formerly of Connecticut, passed away on Saturday, December 27, 2025, at Morton Hospital in Taunton. He was the husband of Margaret A. (Duzick) Willard. They were married for forty-two years.

Born in Hartford, Ct., he was the son of the late Lester J. and Mildred (Nazlian) Willard.

Al was extremely patriotic and served his country for twenty years in the United States Army serving in both Vietnam and Eastern Europe, earning the distinguished rank of Chief Warrant Officer (CWO2) upon his honorable discharge. He was the recipient of the Bronze Star Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Vietnam Service Medal, National Service Medal, and the Meritorious Service Medal.

Albert was the proprietor of two gas station/convenience stores in Manchester, CT for many years. Mr. Willard began working as a TSA Officer at Windsor Airport in Connecticut for five years, retiring at age 73.

He referred to himself as being “a man of action” as he liked getting things done and taken care of. Al was outspoken and often told it how it is. A self described social animal he greatly enjoyed the company of others. He was a proud member of VFW Post 2046 in Manchester, CT, serving in many officer roles and taking part in community events. Later in life he found a passion for genealogy, researching his family history. He was proud of finding an ancestor, Gibson Willard, who fought in the American Revolution. Al even joined and was officially inducted into the Massachusetts chapter of the Sons of American Revolution in 2023.

Besides his wife Margaret, he leaves his children; Michael Willard of Goose Creek, South Carolina, David Willard of Florida, Alan Willard of Norton, MA and Matthew Willard of Lenoir City, TN; and two grandchildren, Kathryn Willard and Simon Willard. He was the brother of the late Robert Willard.

There will be a celebration of life at a later date along with interment at Mt. Benedict Cemetery in Bloomfield, CT.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in Albert's memory to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or by visiting www.stjude.org.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Sowiecki-Snyder Home for Funerals & Cremation Services.

Death is a release from and an end of all pains: beyond it our sufferings cannot extend; it restores us to the peaceful rest in which we lay before we were born. If anyone pities the dead, he ought also to pity those who have not been born. Death is neither a good nor a bad thing, for that alone which is something can be a good or a bad thing: but that which is nothing, and reduces all things to nothing, does not hand us over to either fortune, because good and bad require some material to work upon.
- Seneca the Younger, De Consolatione ad Marciam

Loss is nothing else but change, and change is Nature’s delight
- Marcus Aurelius, Mediations