Obituary for Alfred J. 'Al' Pikora
There can be no book without a final chapter. Al Pikora, gifted writer, loving husband to Christine Pikora, has written his final chapter here on earth. it is rumored they were looking for a first class writer/editor to fill a vacancy in Heaven and Al left this world on Thursday, June 30, 2011 to continue sharing his love and gifts for the written word there.
Al was born on August 8, 1930 in Lorain, Ohio to parents John and Margaret Pikora. Al always had a passion for writing, and graduated with a degree in Journalism from Ohio University in Athens, Ohio. Al spent his working years as a newspaper man, interviewing many interesting people such as Martin Luther King and Billy Graham. He went on to be the Editor in Chief for two community newspapers in Dayton, Ohio. He spent his last working years as a staff writer for the "Skywrighter" newspaper and Public Information Officer for Wright Patterson Air Force Base. Al met Christine while covering a story about the new YMCA that she helped to begin in Centerville, Ohio. They married on August 12, 1972. Al retired in 1988 from the Base. Shortly after, in 1991, Al and Christine moved to Denver, Colorado.
In Denver, Al started a small business presenting "How to Write Your Life Story" workshops throughout the Littleton/Lakewood area. He helped numerous people through his editing and writing to leave the legacy of their life story for friends, family and future generations. During that time, Al also founded the "Creative Writers of Colorado," an active writer's club that continues to meet on a monthly basis with about 35 members. In addition to his wife, Christine, Al is survived by his three stepchildren who loved him very much: Diane who lives in Portland, Oregon, Martha who lives near Philadelphia, and Paul who lives in Cedar City, Utah. His youngest son Greg, who lived most of his life in Dayton, Ohio, died last November. Al was also blessed with two granddaughters: Miranda, who is 10 years old and Tea who is 14. Al also has a sister, Pat and many other relatives and friends who live in Lorain, Ohio, where Al was born and grew up.
In recent years, Al had been dealing with the effects of a Parkinson's like disease. After numerous hospitalizations this past year, it became clear that the time family and friends were able to share with Al was coming to an end. As tremors took away the use of Al's hands, the tools with which he "spoke" to the world through his writing, he would remind us to "treasure your hands. I can't use mine anymore." Please think about the gift of your hands.... and think about Al. The families would appreciate a prayer, a thought, or a loving act done in his name.
We invite you to please sign the guest book on the web page, upload some favorite photos, tell a few stories, share a memory, or leave a personal message to Al and his many friends and family.
There will be a Catholic Memorial service at St. Frances Cabrini Parish on Friday July 22 at 10:30 am. The address is 6673 West Chatfield Avenue, Littleton, CO 80128. A lunch reception will follow at the church. To recognize Al's proud military service in the U.S. Navy in the Korean War, a burial service with military honors including the Navy Honor Guards will follow at Fort Logan National Cemetery at 1:00 pm... Fort Logan is located at 4400 West Kenyon Avenue Denver, CO 80236.
Everyone who knew Al is invited to attend these services to celebrate this wonderful man's life, who has touched so many with his gentle spirit.
Al was born on August 8, 1930 in Lorain, Ohio to parents John and Margaret Pikora. Al always had a passion for writing, and graduated with a degree in Journalism from Ohio University in Athens, Ohio. Al spent his working years as a newspaper man, interviewing many interesting people such as Martin Luther King and Billy Graham. He went on to be the Editor in Chief for two community newspapers in Dayton, Ohio. He spent his last working years as a staff writer for the "Skywrighter" newspaper and Public Information Officer for Wright Patterson Air Force Base. Al met Christine while covering a story about the new YMCA that she helped to begin in Centerville, Ohio. They married on August 12, 1972. Al retired in 1988 from the Base. Shortly after, in 1991, Al and Christine moved to Denver, Colorado.
In Denver, Al started a small business presenting "How to Write Your Life Story" workshops throughout the Littleton/Lakewood area. He helped numerous people through his editing and writing to leave the legacy of their life story for friends, family and future generations. During that time, Al also founded the "Creative Writers of Colorado," an active writer's club that continues to meet on a monthly basis with about 35 members. In addition to his wife, Christine, Al is survived by his three stepchildren who loved him very much: Diane who lives in Portland, Oregon, Martha who lives near Philadelphia, and Paul who lives in Cedar City, Utah. His youngest son Greg, who lived most of his life in Dayton, Ohio, died last November. Al was also blessed with two granddaughters: Miranda, who is 10 years old and Tea who is 14. Al also has a sister, Pat and many other relatives and friends who live in Lorain, Ohio, where Al was born and grew up.
In recent years, Al had been dealing with the effects of a Parkinson's like disease. After numerous hospitalizations this past year, it became clear that the time family and friends were able to share with Al was coming to an end. As tremors took away the use of Al's hands, the tools with which he "spoke" to the world through his writing, he would remind us to "treasure your hands. I can't use mine anymore." Please think about the gift of your hands.... and think about Al. The families would appreciate a prayer, a thought, or a loving act done in his name.
We invite you to please sign the guest book on the web page, upload some favorite photos, tell a few stories, share a memory, or leave a personal message to Al and his many friends and family.
There will be a Catholic Memorial service at St. Frances Cabrini Parish on Friday July 22 at 10:30 am. The address is 6673 West Chatfield Avenue, Littleton, CO 80128. A lunch reception will follow at the church. To recognize Al's proud military service in the U.S. Navy in the Korean War, a burial service with military honors including the Navy Honor Guards will follow at Fort Logan National Cemetery at 1:00 pm... Fort Logan is located at 4400 West Kenyon Avenue Denver, CO 80236.
Everyone who knew Al is invited to attend these services to celebrate this wonderful man's life, who has touched so many with his gentle spirit.
To plant a tree in memory of Alfred J. 'Al' Pikora, visit the Tribute Store.
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