Dr. Vorbach remembers classmate Syd Albrittain in his blog today:
W. Sydney Albrittain, class of 1983, a valued member of our facilities committee and a principal at his family's business, Dittmar Corporation, died unexpectedly on Sunday. Syd was my classmate at Bishop O'Connell and there are many in the O'Connell community who knew Syd and his family.
In recent times, Syd's contributions to the school's improvement efforts have been tireless. At every turn, Syd was saying, "Let me see what I can find out about that..." or "Let me see what I can do about that..." In a very hands-on way, he walked the halls, tunnels, and parking lots with me and members of our staff and figured out how things could be fixed in the most cost effective ways.
Three examples make this point powerfully:
1. At a facilities committee meeting last year, we were reviewing a list of all the air conditioning units we have in the building. The list included the classroom units that were retrofitted into the classrooms of the main teaching wings in the mid-1980s. The list had serial numbers on it, but not the ages of each unit. Syd took the list and had the research done to correlate serial numbers with ages. A seemingly small thing, but very helpful to our efforts to understand the history of the physical plant and to plan for the future.
2. As we prepared for the dedication of Al Burch Stadium last year, we needed a proper edifice to mount the Al Burch and Jake Jacobs plaques. Syd volunteered to take care of it and really put his personal attentions into each aspect of the project -- he found the stone that matched our existing color schemes and consulted with our architect about how to accomplish the design. The photo here tells volumes about Syd's engagement.
3. For the past year, Syd has been helping us prepare to construct a new concession stand and outdoor restroom facility at the athletic field. From the moment of his first engagement in this project, his expertise, experience and energy were vital to the effort. It was always invigorating and enlightening to be with him as we followed a waterline back into the building or discussed the various options available to us regarding one or another detail of the actual construction.
Truly over the course of our school's history we have been blessed by the generosity of many. Following in the footsteps of his parents, Syd stands out as an exemplar of a generous heart bringing his time, talent and treasure to the table in support of Catholic education at Bishop O'Connell.
Please pray for Syd's family, especially his wife Whitney and their four children and his mother Gloria and his siblings.
Funeral arrangements are being handled by Murphy's Funeral Home (4510 Wilson Boulevard in Arlington). Visitation is scheduled for Friday, Jan. 15 from 2 to 4 p.m. and from 6 to 8 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be Saturday, Jan. 16 at noon at St. Agnes Catholic Church, located at 1910 North Randolph Street in Arlington.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that contributions in Syd's memory may be made to Bishop O'Connell High School.
Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord.
And let perpetual light shine upon him.
May he rest in peace. Amen.