Bernardo (Dean) Albano Jr. was born to parents Helen, a medical transcriptionist and Bernardo Sr. on May 15, 1960. Dean was a father, son, grandfather, uncle, brother, fierce friend and husband. He was an inquisitive child with a bent toward science, be it Marine Biology or Astronomy, a hobby that was nurtured and encouraged by his Aunts, Agnes and Irene. He grew up in Tampa and Tampa Bay was his playground. He had a lifelong love of boats, starting with a makeshift skiff, (raft consisting of tethered plastic milk jugs) when he was 10, that he took out on 'the home waters' of Ballast Point. His destination, "my island," and his cousin Danny watched from the beach. This escapade earned him a switching with a Brazilian Pepper branch. He earned money as an usher at the Britton Plaza Theatre to buy himself a canoe, much later on a kayak and finally his Compact 19 sailboat, on which he spent every available minute exploring Greater Tampa Bay.
He loved boats and the water so much he decided to become a Marine. The logic was simple. Marines land from the water. On boats. He got in trouble from a drill instructor the very first night of boot camp; he was caught staring at a puddle that was frozen over. It fascinated him. Aside from ice cubes, he had never seen frozen water before. He graduated from Paris Island, NC in 1978 at 18.
He joined the Air Force in 1982 and was posted overseas twice, once in England and once in Belgium. He never got his dream posting of Tampa but served Stateside at Griffiss AFB Rome, NY and Castle AFB, CA until his honorable discharge in 1990 He did manage to avoid Minot AFB in North Dakota (The call: "Why not Minot"; The answer: "Freezin' the Reason." So it was ironic that he spent his later years about 100 miles north of that.
On his postings overseas he explored the countries and the culture. He took to heart the advice that his Uncle Charlie gave him, to experience everything being overseas had to offer. He did not stay on base 'inside the American bubble' when he had free time. He met Dawn Smyth on his first posting to England and they were married in March of 1984. They had two children together, Kyle Dean and Danielle Joy. In 1990 he began the greatest chapter in his life, Mr. Mom. To say that he loved his kids was an understatement. He worked two jobs and went to night school to provide for them. His network of support was strong and vast. Dean's Mom, who the kids called Nanny Helen, Auntie Liz and Elaine, Uncles Mark and Ronnie, his best friend Bill Trombley and Colleen, their second mother. He joked that he never got Father's Day cards from them, only Mother's Day cards. His pride in his children knew no bounds and his worry for them no depths. His love for them was as great as his beloved night sky.
Family was everything to Dean. He grew up in the shadow of pecan, oak, orange and grapefruit trees in his grandmother (Gaga's) backyard. He played outside with Liz and his cousins, Jimmy, Jeff, Danny and Pat (The J's against the D's) until he was hauled inside because it was dark. Sunday's were spent at Gaga's house, listening to the adults talk and enjoying her home cooked food. Growing up Easter was his favourite holiday because all of the family would gather, either at the beach at Picnic Island or someone's house. In later life, Thanksgiving was his favourite, taking a day off work to fix American Thanksgiving for his Canadian family and friends.
In the winter of 2002 Dean was watching Fox News when a segment came on about a new kind of Internet dating service that matched couples based on traits and values. Dean thought, "Maybe Science can find me a woman" and he enrolled. In February of 2003 he was matched with, "A Canadian Girl." After months of talking on the phone every night, exchanging pictures and life histories Dean declared, "We should meet." The Canadian agreed and they met in person for the first time in August of 2003 in Vancouver, Canada. "If life can be compared to the Seasons, then It is late Summer for us," he wrote. They were married at Ft. DeSoto, Florida in November 2005.
Dean moved to Carlyle, Saskatchewan in June of 2006. It was a hot day, in the high 20's in Celcius (over 80 Fahrenheit) and he sat in the sun wearing jeans and a sweatshirt, drinking coffee while the Canadians were wearing shorts in the shade. He adjusted to the new climate, telling everyone back home, 'that if the sun is shining and there was no wind, you could be outside in just a t-shirt in the 20's F - and it felt good!" No one back home believed him. He joined the local theatre group and acted in many plays, his comedic talent and ability to nail any accent well showcased. He joined the Ham Radio association and became a member of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada. He was a member of the Legion and took great pride in participating in Remembrance Day Services each November. He made deep friendships, especially with Doug and Susan. It gave him great pleasure to be able to show them his home town of Tampa on a holiday in 2009. Dean's life with the Canadian girl was cut short in Early Fall after only 7 years together. They were meant to be together well into the Winter of their lives. In the early morning of January 29, 2013, Dean suffered a massive heart attack. He will be forever loved and missed by that Canadian girl Brenda.
He leaves to mourn his passing, his wife, Brenda, his children, Kyle Albano (Tampa) and Danielle Albano (Fort Hood); Grandchildren, Matthias and Aidan; mother, Helen Blanco (Ronald); Father, Benny Albano; Aunts Irene Chancellor and Norma Albano; Uncle, Charlie Bridges; Sisters, Liz (Al) Varas and daughter Alyssa, Elaine (Garry) Debolt and son Tyler; brother, Mark and daughter, Ocean; Cousins James Chancellor, Jeff (Gerri) Chancellor and son Christopher, Pat (Cindy) Chancellor and daughters Jamie and Summer; Terri, Robin, Dru and Lori; Nephew Cameron, best friend Bill Trombley, newly found sister Kelly Albano and numerous other family and friends. He was predeceased by Ronnie Jr., cousin Danny, Grandparents, Charles and Fina Bridges, Philip and Virginia Albano, Aunt Agnes Bridges, and Uncle Peter Albano.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, February 9, 2013 at 11:00 am at State Highway Baptist Church: 5505 Baptist Church Rd, East Tampa, Florida. A Celebration of Dean's Life will be held at the Carlyle Memorial Hall (Theatre) on February 16, 2013 at 7pm. Rest easy Dean, 'Til We Meet Again.
