Obituary of Albert R. Schifley

Albert R. Schifley Olean, NY Albert R. Schifley, 88, of S. 18th St., passed away peacefully Sunday (December 29, 2024) at the Olean General Hospital, with family by his side. Born August 23, 1936 in Olean, he was the son of Henry and Florence Consedine Schifley. Al was a 1954 graduate of Olean High School and later served in the US Army where he was stationed in Korea. He was honorably discharged in 1960. He began his employment in the mail room at Clark Bros. in 1954, which is where he met the love of his life, Nancy Smith. They were married October 21, 1961 at St. Mary’s Church in Bolivar and recently celebrated 63 years of marriage. He retired from Dresser Clark in 1998 after a 44-year career. Al was a longtime member of St. John’s Church in Olean. He served there as an altar boy, and regularly attended mass until his health no longer permitted it. He was active as a bowler in the Dresser Bowling League for years and enjoyed going regularly to the casino. He was also a devoted New York Yankees and Buffalo Bills fan. As a lifelong sports fan, he derived great pleasure in supporting his children, grandchildren, and nephews in all their sports endeavors throughout the years. He leaves behind his loving wife Nancy; 2 daughters, Jill (Mark) Hale of Allegany, and Julie (John) Fuller of New Woodstock; 4 grandchildren, Christopher Hale, Cory (Melissa) Hale, Tucker Phelps, and Mason Phelps; 2 great granddaughters, Sierra, and Sage Hale; 1 brother Donald (Nancy) Schifley of Olean, and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by 2 sisters, Mary (Maynard) Brown, and Nancy Finley. Friends will be received on Thursday from 4-7pm at the Casey, Halwig & Hartle Funeral Home, 3128 W. State Rd., Olean. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday (January 3, 2025) at 10:00am at St. John’s Church. Pastor Chris Emminger will be the celebrant. Burial will be in St. Bonaventure Cemetery with full military services being accorded by the Allegany American Legion Ritual Team. The family thanks the staff at The Pines of Olean for their care and support for Al during his 2-year stay. Memorials, if desired, may be made to the American Cancer Society, St. John’s Church, or to a charity of the donor’s choice.