Rev. Deacon Albert J. Schwind, 85 of Beach Haven, NJ passed away on July 28, 2011 at Southern Ocean County Hospital, Manahawkin.

Al was born in Clifton, and grew up there, moving to Beach Haven in 1979.

Ordained a permanent Deacon June 15, 1974 by the late Bishop Lawrence Casey in St. John’s Cathedral, Paterson. He is one of the first class of Deacons ordained in the state of NJ. He was incardinated to the Trenton Diocese in 1978. Assigned to St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Brant Beach for over 20 years ministering to the homebound and the hospital.

Graduated from St. John’s Cathedral High School, Paterson, and attended St. Francis College in El Cajon, Calfornia . An  Army  veteran having served in the Korean conflict. A  former state commander of the Catholic War Veterans State of New Jersey. Elected the national commander in 1961, the first Korean conflict veteran to hold that position. Received two of the highest awards of the C.W.V. The Order of  St. Sebastian and the Celtic Cross. He was past chairman of the Past National Commanders Organization “PANCO” in Washington DC.

A member of the Enrico Fermi  Scholarship committee. Member of the board of Directors of Surflight Theatre and past president of the Joseph P. Hayes Theatre, Inc.. Notary Public of the State of NJ. Member of  AARP.  Moderator of  St. Francis Parish Society.  Secular  Franciscan for over 40 years. Received the Silver medalion Award of the Ocean County Holy Name Society. Third degree  member of the Knights of Columbus Council 3826 Beach Haven. Member of  the American Legion Post 232. Retired  personnel manager and administrator. Trustee for Southern Ocean County Hospital Foundation.

Predeceased by five brothers, Joseph, John, William, Raymond, and Paul. Four sisters,  Gertrude Kaiser, Helen Horant, Marie Schwind, Rita Fyan.

Al is survived by his wife Marie(nee Steinbacher), sister Jean Warcholik of Clifton. Also survived by Theodore Warcholik, Suzanne Blakeley, Paul Schwind, and Louis Gaydos.

Viewing will be on Sunday July 31, 2011 from 2-4 & 7-9pm at Maxwell Funeral Home 573 Mill Creek Rd. Manahawkin, NJ 08050.

Viewing will also be on Monday morning at the church from 10am until the Mass at 12:00pm at St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Brant Beach, NJ. ,Following mass burial will take place at Ocean County Memorial Park, Toms River, NJ.

In lieu of flowers please make donations to St. Francis Community Center, Human Concerns ,4700 Long Beach Blvd. Brant Beach, NJ 08008.