Albert A. Nejmeh was born to Albert and Mary Nejmeh on August 14, 1953, and was raised in Hawthorne, New Jersey. One of four children, Al is survived by his mom, Mary; an older sister, Gail Robinson; and younger brothers, Greg and Brian Nejmeh. Al was a 1971 graduate of Hawthorne High School and a 1975 alumnus of Montclair State University, where he studied biology and psychology.
Al passed in the line of duty on May 14, 2013, serving in his capacity as a Tacoma firefighter.
One of Al’s friends posted that he was the ”most interesting man in the world”—a fitting characterization to those who had the pleasure of Al’s company, companionship, unpretentious yet contagious spirit, fun loving nature, and thirst for life.
Al was so many things to so many people—a son, a brother, a brother-in-law, an uncle, a godfather, a nephew, a cousin, a friend to all he met along his fascinating journeys throughout the world, a best friend to more still, a proud Tacoma firefighter.
He was chosen as an All Century high school football player in 2000 by The Bergen Record (NJ). Al was a staunch environmentalist, a principled conservationist, a philanthropist, a community volunteer, a gifted singer/songwriter, a poet and author, a sailor, a cyclist, a teacher, a builder (his hand built home on Marrowstone Island is a thing of true beauty), a lifelong New York Jets fan, a mountain climber, a world traveler, and a consummate adventurer.
At the age of 47, Al became among the oldest firefighters ever to join the highly regarded Tacoma Fire Department, where he served on Ladder 2, Station 8 and as a member of the station’s technical rescue squad. Al had an unwavering spirit and loving soul, a compassion for his fellow man, and was tireless in his effort to lend a hand to his friends, his family and those less fortunate. Indeed, he died as he lived, a hero trying to rescue another who was in need.
Al was a man among men.
Al was a mentor, a leader, and a friend. He was my captain on the Schooner Adventuress, and he and I coincidentally got into the fire service at the same time in 2000. I remember having conversations with him late at night on the deck of the boat about transitioning from a life at sea to being a fireman. As a leader, he was quiet, thoughtful, and challenged you to come up with the solutions to problems on your own, instead of giving orders. It was five years this May and I still think of you often, old friend.
– Matthew Powers-Matty