Albert W. McGuire, known to many as Al or Albie, died on Tuesday, Aug. 29, 2017, in the Providence St. Peter Hospital in Olympia, Wash. at the age of 69. Al was a resident of Montesano, Wash. for 10 years and had lived in Cosmopolis for the 34 years prior to that. He was born on March 14, 1948, in Aberdeen, Wash. to Kathy and Walter McGuire. They later divorced and he was raised by his mother Kathy and Clyde White.

Al was raised and attended school in the Wishkah Valley and Aberdeen; he graduated from Weatherwax High School in 1966. While in high school, he started to work at Quinn’s Dairy Bar and he worked there until he was drafted into the Army in November of 1968 at 20 years old. He was stationed in Fort Gordon, Ga., until serving in the Vietnam War. After leaving Vietnam, he was stationed in Fort Lee, Va., until he was Honorably Discharged in March of 1970 after earning medals, including the Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, and Vietnam Service Medal.

He left the Army and returned to Aberdeen, Wash. to attend Grays Harbor Junior College.

Al married Maria Kathleen (Kathy) Mullen, whom he fell in love with while writing letters back and forth while he was in the Army. They were married on Aug. 1, 1970, in Aberdeen, Wash. She survives at the family home in Montesano.

He worked for Dravo at the Wynoochee Dam in payroll for a couple years, while the dam was being built. After that, he worked at Weyerhaeuser and became a cutter.

Al and Kathy purchased Quinn’s Dairy Bar, renaming it McGuire’s Dairy Bar in 1976, where he taught his employees what good work ethics were. Many of those employees remain his loyal friends today.

After selling the Dairy Bar in 1987, Al returned to work at Weyerhaeuser until a work related injury forced him into early retirement.

Al is survived by his two daughters, Mary McGuire Brown (Adam) of Newcastle, Wash. and Nicole McGuire of Montesano, Wash. He loved being “Papa” to Nicole’s children Hailey Hart (15) and Nicoliy McGuire (8), and Mary and Adam’s children Colin (10), Lauryn (8) and Carsen (5) Brown. He is also survived by his sister Brenda, his brothers Marlie and Dennis White, his step-father Clyde White, a special cousin Marcie Belfield, and many other people he cared about. He was preceded in death by his mother Kathy White, his father Walter McGuire, his grandmother Beatrice “Grandma Bea” McGuire and his grandfather Walter “Rabbit” McGuire.

Al loved to golf and achieved not only one, but two holes in one at Highlands Golf Course. He was seen daily at the golf course until his medical ailments got in the way. Years ago, he was also on the Bridges Bowling team and enjoyed Tuesday night bowling. Al was also a big fan of Nascar, especially Dale Earnhardt and Dale Earnhardt, Jr.

Al was member of the Steilacoom Indian Tribe, and was proud of his Native American Heritage.

Al had the sarcasm and wit of no other, and he made friends everywhere he went. In recent years, his coffee pals at the Bee Hive were part of his daily routine. He also liked to frequent the local casinos.

Al enjoyed traveling with his wife, including trips to Hawaii, Yellowstone, Reno, Las Vegas, and the Grand Canyon. They also enjoyed many drives down the Oregon Coast; he loved taking his lawn chair and reading his Westerns by the Pacific Ocean. His road trips often included trying to find the best place for fried chicken. He never missed a meal, especially if it included chicken, clams, steak or blackberry pie.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that If you choose to honor Albert, you can support the Wounded Warrior Project; Donor Care Center, PO Box 758540, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8540.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the Montesano Community Center on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2017, from 2-5 p.m. Please bring your favorite dish and a story to tell.

The family will meet at a later date at the Mount Tahoma National Cemetery where he will be laid to rest with full military honors.

Arrangements are being made by the Harrison Family Mortuary in Montesano.