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Saturday, April 7, 2007

McWilliams' wife: 'He'll continue to inspire'

Published in the Courier News, Saturday, April 7, 2007

McWilliams' wife: 'He'll continue to inspire'

By CHAD HEMENWAY
Staff Writer


PLAINFIELD -- Former Mayor Albert T. McWilliams and his wife, Darlene, were to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary this June.

Albert, or "Al" as his wife called him, wasn't a flashy guy, but he loved to celebrate worthy occasions and couldn't keep himself from giving his wife a ring as an early anniversary gift on his birthday in October -- the same date that he asked her to marry him.

"It's fabulous," she said of the ring. "I'm grateful. I'm going to treasure it always."

But more than any material object, Darlene
McWilliams said she will miss her husband's optimism and energy.

"His personality was catchy," she said. "He inspired me and the people around him. When things were difficult, he always looked at the bright side of things."

Albert T.
McWilliams died early Friday morning after a battle with renal cancer. He and his wife have five children: Annie, 22; Allison, 18; Albert III, 16; Adam, 14' and Avery, 12.

McWilliams moved his family to Plainfield from Atlanta in 1987. Soon, he took it upon himself to "make sure the city was a healthy place for his family to thrive," his wife said.

"It was always about a childhood dream of his to have an impact in his community," Darlene
McWilliams said. "He had many influences growing up in the south. He wanted to be a positive influence here."

McWilliams' children called him a "big kid," his wife said. He did a majority of the Christmas shopping for the children.

"He thought them out, taking into account who they were at the time -- what they needed," Darlene
McWilliams said. "He loved watching the kids on Christmas."

Family vacations were much of the same, she said. In an instant, she recalled trips to the beach, to Martha's Vineyard, to a Pennsylvania inn, horseback riding and apple picking.
McWilliams, a nature lover, enjoyed fishing but would always stop what he was doing to bait a hook for his kids.

"He is going to be so missed," she said. "He always planned something great for us."

McWilliams was diagnosed with cancer about four months ago.His wife said she and McWilliams made the most of the time they had left together, just sitting and talking. The family would pray together, she said, and he taught his family to praise.

"Al had a very full life," Darlene
McWilliams said. "He raised a good family, excellent children. Each one of them felt loved.

"He inspired me every day to fulfill my dreams," she continued. "He'll continue to inspire us all always."


Chad Hemenway can be reached (908) 707-3148 or chemenway@gannett.com




This story appeared in the Courier News print edition for Saturday, April 7, 2007. It is being posted online by Plainfield Today as a public service.

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5 comments:

Anonymous said...

To Mrs. Darlene McWilliams and the Family:
May you find comfort in the memories that are yours to cherish always, and strength in the companionship of those who share your loss.

Jadwiga M. Warwas

Anonymous said...

Mayor McWilliams or Al as he liked to be called was a man among men and I will miss him. He cared about this City and the people who live here. He was a mentor to many and shared with them his quite strength.

My deepest sympathy to the family and know that you are in my prayers.

Vickey Sheppard

Anonymous said...

Former Plainfield Mayor Al McWilliams was a man who cared much more about the people of Plainfield than about politics. He was a man with vision and hope for the City of Plainfield, and he worked tirelessly to make that vision a reality. Plainfield's renaissance is due in large part to his efforts.

On behalf of myself and the Union County Republican Committee, we offer our prayers and condolences to the McWilliams family.


Philip J. Morin III
Saul Ewing LLP
One Riverfront Plaza
Newark, NJ 07012-5490
(P) 973.286.6721
(F) 973.286.6821

Anonymous said...

Al was a leader and the right person at the right time for the City of Plainfield. He inspired people to want to help bring about improvements in the City. Al improved the financial status of the City, implemented infrastructure improvements and started the City on the pathway to economic revitalization.

We offer our condolences to Darlene and the family for the loss of a great man.

Ron and Andrea West

Anonymous said...

Darlene McWilliams and Family,

May you all take this time to reflect on all the wonderful memories of this good man. Al will will be missed immensely. I am honored to have been a part of a working team that brought the City of Plainfield forward. May the Lord bless and be with you in your time of need.

Cynthia Blake