Ellsworth Earl “Al” Kasdorf passed away peacefully in the presence of his children on Monday, September 19, 2022, at the age of 87.
He was born in Port Huron, Michigan on July 18, 1935 to the late Vera and Earl Kasdorf.
Al was known as Ellsworth, Al, or Kas, but his most important names were Dad, Grandpa, and Great-Grandpa. He was the proud and loving father of Karen Recker, Sue (Paul) Camarata, and Greg Kasdorf (the late Margie Monaghan). He had six cherished grandchildren, Jerome Recker (Janis Salomon), Michael (Joanie) Recker, Ashley Recker (Alex Kron), Heather (Vera) Camarata, Alex Camarata, and Ben Camarata; and three precious great-grandchildren, Jacob Camarata, Zachary Camarata, and Ainsley Recker. Al was preceded in death by his sister and brother-in-law, Barbara and Gordon Lock.
With the exception of college and time spent in the U.S. Navy, Al was a lifelong resident of Port Huron/Fort Gratiot. After graduating from the University of Michigan with a degree in Civil Engineering, he was stationed in Hawaii while serving in the Navy. Upon his return to Port Huron he worked for Mueller Brass for several years, then for the City of Port Huron. An engineer by trade, Al was always thinking, reading, learning, doing and creating. He enjoyed playing softball and cards, camping, fishing, and watching hockey. He was a voracious reader, took many classes, and was interested in a number of hobbies. He became a Certified Master Gardener and also enjoyed photography, beekeeping, woodworking, leather crafting, pottery, computers and music.
Al loved a good polka and he played the accordion, harmonica and cello (self-taught at age 72). He played the cello, clarinet and saxophone in St. Clair County Community College’s Symphonic Band and Jazz Band, the Port Huron Music Center’s New Horizons Band, and the East China Community Band. Al sang in the Schubert Male Chorus of Port Huron and was also known to yodel.
He volunteered at the St. Clair County Library, the Blue Water Area Humane Society, Habitat for Humanity, the BWARM shelter, and various local churches. He was a member of the Freemasons since 1962 and was one of the original members of the Blue Water Therapy Dog Club. He was a huge animal lover and he opened his home and his heart to many neighborhood strays, several of whom joined the family for good. After retiring, he eventually adopted “Izzy the Wonder Dog,” a scared, abandoned pup who he trained in agility exercises, and transformed into a Certified Therapy Dog. Al and Izzy brightened the days of senior citizens and helped elementary students become more confident readers with their visits to nursing homes and schools as members of the Blue Water Therapy Dog Club.
Al was the master of the “dad joke.” He was quick-witted and had a sharp sense of humor that everyone enjoyed. Al touched many lives in his 87 years, and he will be deeply missed.
Visitation will be held from 4-8 p.m. on Friday, September 23, 2022 at Pollock-Randall Funeral Home, 912 Lapeer Ave, Port Huron. The Blue Water Therapy Dog Club will perform a Pass & Review Ceremony 7:00 p.m.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, September 24, 2022 at Pollock-Randall Funeral Home with visitation beginning at 9:30 a.m. The Reverend Drew Hart will officiate. Military honors will be conducted under the auspices of the U.S. Navy.
Burial will be in Capac Cemetery. Al’s six grandchildren will serve as pallbearers.
The family prefers memorial contributions in Al’s name to one of his selected charities: Blue Water Area Humane Society, Humane Society of St. Clair County SNAP, or Michigan Parkinson’s Foundation.
