Charles L. Albright, 75

July 29, 2023

Charles L. Albright, 75, formerly of Lancaster, PA, entered into rest on Saturday, July 29, 2023. Born in Allentown, PA, he was the son of Charles O. Albright and Frances (Lum) Albright. Charles was better known by his family and friends as Charlie, Skip, or Pappy. Charlie was a loving and selfless person, who enjoyed the simpler things in life!

Charlie spent the majority of his professional career as a librarian with Allegany County Board of Education, Cumberland, MD, which he retired from in 2004. He retired professionally, as a librarian with Western Corrections Institution, in 2011. Following his retirement he moved to Lancaster, PA to be closer to his family and loved ones.

Charlie was a member of the 1966 graduating class of Carlisle High School, Carlisle, PA. He continued his education at Shippensburg University, receiving a Bachelor’s Degree in Secondary Education in History, in 1970. He worked for one year teaching Civics in Bridgeton, NJ. He returned to Shippensburg University to work on his Master’s of Library Science, which he received in 1975.

In 1972 he began work with the Allegany County Board of Education. Charlie worked as the librarian of Oldtown School, Washington Middle School, and Fort Hill High School, completing his tenure at Flintstone School. While working as a librarian, Charlie also worked with many school clubs including Ski Club, Photography Club, and A/V club, and he coached the High School Indoor and Outdoor Track team.

Charlie demonstrated a passion for history and collections, in his younger years, with Stamps and Coins, which he continued collecting throughout his life. Charlie loved dogs, with a preference for golden retrievers. He loved music, albums, CDs, and live concerts; the louder the better! He also played violin in the community orchestra. He had a passion for art, museums, battlefields, mothballed naval vessels, and enjoyed antiquing; collecting historical pieces of presidents and ships. Charlie enjoyed gardening, even starting his own plants indoors in the early spring, and seeing those same plants to harvest! He enjoyed a great outdoor adventure. He was a regular runner and enjoyed biking and hiking. He loved to share with others about his travels, including an amazing trip to Egypt and Italy! You could always find him with a non-fiction book, about a historically significant figure. Charlie had an amazing memory for trivia. He even tried out and was interviewed to be a contestant on Jeopardy! He had a quirky sense of humor that could make everyone smile or at least smirk at him!

After retirement, he spent time researching genealogy, continuing to learn about his heritage. He enjoyed his drives to Harrisburg in his Camaro, only driving the speed limit, of course. He rescued several dogs. His last and most special rescue was Soapie, an abused English Bulldog. He served as a volunteer for the Lancaster Historical Society where he was a tour guide for school field trips. Charlie attended Grace Lutheran Church in Lancaster.

Charlie is survived by a sister Cathleen (Albright) Fichtner of Willow Street, PA. His nieces and nephews: Kristen Thomas, husband Ben, and children, Veronica and Victoria; Ben Fichtner, wife Sarah, and children, John, Caleb, and Grace; Katie Fichtner. Step-sons: Kevin Walbert, wife Krista, and children, Megan and Bradley; Scott Puffenbarger, wife Kelli, and children, Brooke and Tyler; Jonathan Puffenbarger, wife Laura, and children, Mason and Gavin; Joshua Puffenbarger, wife Christa, and daughter, Phoebe. An Aunt, Charlotte Albright, and children, Rebecca and her son Garrett, Brad Albright, wife Jennifer, cousins Richard Albright, wife Patricia, Mona Gloss, cousin David Williams, wife Lynn; numerous maternal first cousins Rosemary Horton, and children Trey and Wayne; Martha Fairfield, husband Warren, Jane Mierzejewski, and children Susan, Cheryl, Brenda and Tom; & Frank Cavanaugh, wife Doris.

Our family would like to thank the staff at Providence Place, Lancaster, PA, and Paramount Senior Living, Memory Care, Maytown, PA for their kindness and care over the past four years. We finally want to thank Pastor Steve from Grace Lutheran Church for faithfully traveling to visit Charlie in Lancaster Rehab, Providence Place & Paramount.

Kindly omit flowers. Contributions may be sent to Fort Hill High school library, Cumberland, MD, for young adult history books, or Pennsylvania, SPCA Lancaster Center, or Lancaster Center for Animal Life Saving, both in Lancaster, PA.