DURST, JR.

ALBERT J.

We knew him as Geez, Pappy Noodles, Dink, and Uncle Pinchy. He called us Goose, Jake, Dawg, Margarite, Chunk, Nick, Bert, Camille, Patrice, Beef, and Thrash.

From the minute he was born on April 13, 1954 until he crossed his feet one last time Sunday, May 24, 2026, Albert James Durst, Jr. never once in his life sat still. He was a lifelong fan of rocking chairs, but also bowling and boxing, which he would watch on television while ducking and weaving. He also deeply loved a good round of golf, and once, when he'd hit a hole-in-one, it made the newspaper.

Albie's fast feet were especially appreciated at Wilcox Brothers, where he zoomed through the shop picking orders, razzing his friends, and stealing from Ricky's lunches for decades. In retirement, he pitched a mean backyard wiffle ball game, which would have made his dad proud, as Albert, Sr. was himself a sought-after pitcher in Pittsburgh before a motorcycle accident cut his career short.

Albie loved paint-by-numbers, cut-off shirts, french fries with Cheez Whiz, Sunday breakfast at Dawg's, and stopping over with a lunch box full of Little Debbies for the kids in one hand and a big pizza in the other — preferably Della Sala's. He showed up to the party with his own tupperware, already plotting how many leftovers he could take home. He never bought birthday cards at the store, but rather drew personal pictures and sayings on a white index card, usually in squiggly pencil.

Albie is survived by his children, Albert (Kristyn) Durst, Jonathan Durst, David Durst, Jessica (Jason) Bittel; and his grandchildren, Mark, June and Huck Bittel, Piper Durst, Julia Durst-Sommers and Jenzen and Brycen Durst. He is also survived by his siblings, Ernie (Anita) Durst, Patty Miller (Brian Chester), Janet Durst, Milly (Ken) Hopkins, Maggie (George) Snyder; and many, many loving nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his sister, Annie Hahn; and his parents, Albert and Helen Durst.

And while he will be missed by many friends, arguably no one will miss Albie more than Ziggy the Cat and Luna the Pomeranian.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Arrangements by WILLIAM F. GROSS FUNERAL HOME LTD.