Albert H. Croci

Albert Henry Croci died at home on Tuesday, December 8, 2020. Born September 22, 1939, to Evelyn (White) and Maurice Croci, he attended Gesu Elementary School, graduated from Central Catholic High School, and earned a business degree at St. Joseph College in Rensselaer, Indiana in 1961. Al married Sharon Keip in 1964, and they were devoted to raising their four children in a loving home, providing for all their needs and preparing them through great educations and personal guidance to take care of their own families now: Vince (Amy), Steve (Hailey), Nancy (Adam) Gibson, and Jenny (Jim) Walling. He made them his priority, attending their athletic events, some of which he coached, as well as their musical performances. This same support continued with his eleven grandchildren: Cassidy, Gabrielle, and Trent Croci; Grace, Jack, and Kate Croci; Alan and Jon Gibson; and Nick, Luke, and Zach Walling. Besides his wife, children, and grandchildren, he is survived by his sister Mary (Larry) Michalak and brother Tony (Della) Croci. Many nieces and nephews also survive, as well as cousins from the Croci and White families. Many of his children’s friends will remember fond times interacting with an always expressive “Mr. Croci” at home, sporting events, and social occasions. Al was a great provider, working for W. T. Grant Company, Sprenger’s Men’s Shop, Jeep International, and First National Bank/Fifth Third Bank, even painting houses and selling vacuum cleaners to take care of family expenses. His commitment to prudently managing the money he earned allowed for him to retire early, receive great medical and nursing care while dealing with Parkinson’s disease, provide security for Sharon upon his passing, all while continuing to actively support charitable organizations that provided him with numerous calendars every year! Many people remember him as “the friendly neighborhood banker,” treating them as more than just customers and assisting them with their personal financial lives, opening numerous accounts, balancing checkbooks, and getting them loans for autos, homes, education, and small businesses to help those neighborhoods thrive. His success was facilitated by surrounding himself with great teams of assistants and tellers that were an extension of his kindness and caring in any of the Toledo communities he managed at a First National/Fifth Third branch. Al maintained lifelong friendships, staying in touch at lunches, by phone, and through visits with some friends up until their passing. His love of sports went beyond just watching his children and grandchildren play, and you could find him attending a contest at a local high school or college court or field to catch a game over the last few years. A longtime member of Blessed Sacrament Church where he devoted time as a coach, Youth Board member, and paper drive volunteer, Al and Sharon also gave tithing talks for the Diocese of Toledo. He was a member of Sylvania St. Joseph Church, the Exchange Club of Westgate Toledo, and served in the Ohio Air National Guard. The family would like to express its sincere gratitude to the wonderful nurses, aides and staff of Home Instead Agency, Rosary Care Center, Hospice of Northwest Ohio, and most recently to the very special caregivers with Al at home. A special shout out goes to his daughter Jenny, the “family nurse.” His children and grandchildren are most grateful for the legacy of devotion, family love, friendship, strong work ethic, joy for life, and philanthropy he modeled, and they will strive to carry these on for the rest of their lives. Visitation will take place from 2-8 p.m., Monday, December 14, 2020 in the Walker Funeral Home, 5155 Sylvania Ave. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, December 15, 2020 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 5383 Main St., Sylvania. Facial coverings and social distancing are required at all events. Mass can be viewed via livestream on the “tribute wall” of Al’s page at walkerfuneralhomes.com, where condolences and fond memories may also be shared. Donations may be made to the charity of one’s choice.