Albert A. Gammal

WORCESTER - Albert A. Gammal, Jr., age 89, life-long resident of Worcester, passed away at home on Orthodox Easter Sunday, April 8, 2018, surrounded by his family. Al Gammal, as he was known to all, was a dynamic individual whose passion was serving his country in whatever capacity he found to be most beneficial at the time. Al enlisted in the Army at the age of 17. Al served in Korea with the 17th Infantry Regiment, 7th Division, 24 Corps. Upon his return, he transferred to the Air Force Reserve, 89th Wing in Bedford, MA. After serving, he graduated as class orator from Commerce High in 1948. Al graduated from Clark University in Worcester in 1952, married the love of his life, Margaret Romley, in 1955 and soon thereafter became Treasurer and a Director of the family owned Gammal Chemical Company in Worcester. Al believed becoming a lawyer would enhance his goal of being a positive force in a continually changing world. He enrolled in Suffolk University Law School and upon graduation passed the Massachusetts Bar Exam.Al, a Republican, was elected to the Massachusetts House of Representatives as a State Representative from the 16th Worcester District in 1961 and served for four consecutive terms. During his tenure as a State Representative, Al served as Chairman of the House Republican Leadership Council, Ranking Republican Member of both the House Service Committee as well as the federal Financial Assistance Committee.In the early 1960’s, Al met Edward W. Brooke and the two became lifelong friends. Al ran Brooke’s successful campaign for Massachusetts Attorney General and, later, his landmark U.S. Senate race making Brooke the first African American elected to the United States Senate. In 1967, Al became Brooke’s Administrative Assistant in charge of the Boston and Springfield Offices. In 1969, Al was appointed as United States Marshal for the District of Massachusetts responsible for carrying out directives from the Department of Justice and the U.S. Courts. Recognized for his dedication, unrelenting commitment to government service, and his organizational skills, in 1970 Al was selected to be the Regional Administrator for the U.S. General Services Administration responsible for its mission in the 6 New England States. During his tenure as Regional Administrator for GSA, Al was elected to become Chairman of the Boston Federal Executive Board, a body comprised of the heads of the 75 federal, civilian, and military agencies headquartered in the Metropolitan Boston area. As Chairman, Al was responsible to the Federal Government’s Office of Management and Budget to increase the effectiveness and economy of federal programs, improving relationships with state and local governments, and the community, and for implementing specific presidential programs.With a change of Administrations, Al was transferred to the Washington Headquarters of GSA as a Special Assistant to its Administrator, serving in this position for several years. Wishing to return to his home and family in Worcester, Al accepted a position as Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Disaster Response Team in Boston and traveled throughout the country as a team leader providing disaster assistance to cities, towns, and individuals in the path of natural disasters.Al retired from Public Service in 1998, after nearly 40 years of service in positions within the Massachusetts State and Federal Government systems.Not content to sit back after his long government career, Al was selected as an election commissioner in his home City of Worcester and was soon elected Chairman of Worcester’s Election Committee, a position he held for several years.Al was a life-long member of and former President of the Board of Directors of St. George Orthodox Cathedral in Worcester. As a Massachusetts State Representative, Al was instrumental in assisting St. George Orthodox Cathedral in acquiring the land on Anna Street wherein the Cathedral was built during the time when the Commonwealth of Massachusetts was taking land owned by the Cathedral by eminent domain for construction of the University of Massachusetts Medical School.He was a member of the Guiding Lights Lodge of Masons (formally Athelstan Lodge), the Massachusetts Bar Association, Clark and Suffolk Universities Alumni Associations; a former 16-year Trustee of the Gardner State Hospital, a former member of the Massachusetts Public Health Association, Mental Health Association, and the Massachusetts Association for the Mentally Challenged.The above describes the record of Al Gammal, the public servant. However, it is the actions and everyday memories of Al Gammal the husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, friend, leader and mentor that will be most dearly held. It is the people around him in all aspects of his life who were blessed by his generosity, wisdom, protection, integrity, humor, and, most of all, his love. He was always “there” when needed. Al will be kept alive in their hearts and minds forever.Al leaves his wife, Margaret and four children; three daughters, Candith Gammal and her partner, Michael Reardon, Sandra Caron and her husband, Michael, Gayle MacKoul and her husband, Joseph; and one son, Joseph Gammal and his wife, Anna. He also leaves six grandchildren; Fr. Alexander MacKoul and his wife, Amanda, Christiana MacKoul, Joshua Caron, Nicole Wilks and her husband, Nathan, Nicholas Gammal and Lucas Gammal. He is predeceased by a sister, Mary (Gammal) Kalil and brothers, Abraham and Alfred Gammal. The family would like to thank Notre Dame Hospice, especially Athena Hartman-Marko, for the loving and compassionate care she extended to Al and the entire Gammal Family in his final days.Visiting hours for Mr. Gammal are from 4:00 to 7:00 PM on Wednesday, April 11th and also from 9:30 to 10:45 AM on Thursday, April 12th at St. George Orthodox Cathedral, 30 Anna Street, Worcester with a Trisagion Service held during the visiting hours.Funeral services will be held at the Cathedral at 11:00 AM on Thursday, April 12th, officiated by Rev. Fr. Milad Selim and Al’s grandson, Rev. Fr. Alexander MacKoul. Burial will be in the family plot in Hope Cemetery. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Philip G. Haddad, Jr. of Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main Street, Holden.The family requests that floral arrangements be omitted and contributions in Al’s name made to the Endowment Fund of St. George Orthodox Cathedral, 30 Anna Street, Worcester, MA 01604. 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