Gary Shickel Albrite, 60, of Harrisonburg, died on Sunday, Jan. 3, 2010, at Rockingham Memorial Hospital. 

Gary was born Jan. 17, 1949, in Harrisonburg, and was the son of Tom and Phyllis S. Albrite of Harrisonburg.

He graduated from Harrisonburg High School in 1967 and then attended Shenandoah College. He was an outstanding football player in both high school and college. He was employed with Massanutten Bank, where he served as vice president for many years and then went on to be an owner/agent with Allstate Insurance Co. for 20 years serving the Harrisonburg area. He currently served as vice president of the Virginia High School League Officiating Association and for the last 20 years he was an area referee for high school football games, which fulfilled a great passion in his life. He attended First Church of the Nazarene of Harrisonburg. 

On April 14, 1979, he married Kathryn Long Albrite, who survives. Gary was preceded in death by a daughter, Ashley Albrite.

Other surviving members of the family include one son, Bradley Long Albrite and fianc?e, Jessica Connor, of Stephens City, Va.; one daughter, Brittney Dawn Townsend and husband, Edward, of Harrisonburg; two sisters, Shelia Lam and husband, Gary, of Harrisonburg, and Cindy Barnes and husband, Ray, of Grottoes; three grandchildren, Jordan Townsend, Jaden Townsend and Jenna Townsend; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, Jan. 7, 2010, at 2:30 p.m. at the Kyger Funeral Home Chapel in Harrisonburg with pastors Roger Dove, Margaret Michael and Camelot Shuff officiating. Burial will follow at Dayton Cemetery in Dayton, Va.  The family will receive friends on Wednesday from 6 to 9 p.m. at the funeral home. 

In lieu of flowers, the family would like to start an educational fund for the grandchildren in Gary's honor. Memorial contributions may be sent to the Gary Albrite Memorial Fund, 101A Mosby Road, Harrisonburg, VA  22801, or to the RMH Cancer Center, 235 Cantrell Ave., Harrisonburg, VA  22801.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.kygers.com.

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We wish to express our deepest sympathy as Gary will be missed by many . May your memories be a source of comfort.Sincerely, Bill bill loomis 2010-01-05 07:00:31

I officiated with Gary for a number of years in the PVFOA. I remember him as a good official that worked hard at his craft and was well respected by his peers. My thoughts and prayers are with his family. Mark Scott 2010-01-05 07:07:45

Reflecting on years officiating with Gary, I feel like I could write a book as we came into officiating together in 1990. A few of those memories: After our first year when our mentors were complaining about meeting every Monday night in Charlottesville. So they decided they would quit the Piedmont Association and join the Valley Association. Gary and I did just that but our mentors did not! He and I compared that to being in the military, standing in line at attention, and the drill sergeant asks for volunteers to step forward and everyone takes a step backward but the two of us! The early 90’s when we were working 20 to 25 little league games a year together with Len Caricofe along with Jay Crider and Gene Siciliano. Our first varsity playoff game was together at Madison County which was a disaster! We picked the wrong game to have a bad night. We were in ‘Eddie Dean Stadium’ with coach Eddie Dean on the sideli... Doug Mathews 2010-01-05 07:35:17

Continued: We were in ‘Eddie Dean Stadium’ with coach Eddie Dean on the sidelines for Madison County and the place was packed. Early in the first quarter Gary or Len had an inadvertent whistle on a fumble that took the ball away from Madison and gave it back to their opponents. Coach Dean went off! Then in the second quarter, I miss an obvious foul on a scoring play for the opponents. That foul should have brought back a touchdown. Coach Dean went into orbit! He was screaming at us: ‘This is the playoffs. How did you get this game?!’ Mercifully, we got through the game but for years after that, Gary and I had two rallying cries of ‘How did you get this game!’ and ‘At least we don’t have to go back to Madison!’ Doug Mathews 2010-01-05 07:40:17

The JV game at Central where Randy Coffman called hurdling (correctly I might add!). Gary was the Referee and was asking me what the signal was for that foul. I had no idea so I told him to hop on one leg. And he did! We worked our first state final game together in 2002. It was at Liberty University and turned into a blow out game. We posed for a picture as a crew before the game. What I’d give to have a copy of that picture. At the end of the 2007 season, we were assigned a state semi-final game at Powatan. The crew was Moe Rummel, Jimmy Aikens, Jimmy Rule, Bill Loomis, LW Yancy, Gary and myself. Thinking about it, it might have been the last game where Gary felt really good. It was cold and he hated working in the cold. He would scrunch up his shoulders, have on these heavy gloves and his nose turned bright red! What I’d give to have that day again, with that important of a game, with that group of talented m... Doug Mathews 2010-01-05 07:41:32

The season when Gary told me he was sick and needed to take time off to get well again. Last summer when he and I put together a training program for our new officials. Gary looked good and was excited about being on the field again. Next summer when Gary isn’t going to be with us and officiating will never be the same. Doug Mathews 2010-01-05 07:42:12

Brittney and Family, Our heart and prayers go out to you during this difficult time. Although I did not know Mr. Albrite directly, Brittney often shared great stories about her family. May those memories be of comfort to you. Catherine Cash 2010-01-05 07:48:01

I would like to offer my condolences to the Albrite family, and thanks to them for sharing him with the PVFOA. As a football official in the association for several years, I had the opportunity to work games with Gary, including my first ever playoff assignment. Gary was a great official and--more importantly--a great guy, and he will certainly be missed. Matt Smyth 2010-01-05 07:56:29

Our thoughts and prayers our with the family at this time. Greta & Mike Templin 2010-01-05 08:03:22

My deepest sympathy on Gary's passing. ... Gary and I worked together for 12 years in the association assigning JV football officials for the schools up and down the valley. I greatly valued his work ethic and friendship. He will be so terribly missed by all of us who knew him. Bill Johnson 2010-01-05 09:01:20

Brittney and Family, It is obvious that you were very fortunate to have such a fine man as your father and role model as you grew into the person you are today. I am so sorry for your loss. You and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers. Brooke Funcke 2010-01-05 10:29:47

We would like to express our sympathy to Gary's entire family and Allstate office staff. We will miss his friendship and the opportunity to work with him. Sincerely, Bowles & Associates Inc. Roger Bowles Eddie Perkins Becky Haislip Anonymous 2010-01-05 10:41:24

Kathy, we send to you our sympathy at this time to you and the family. We are out of town at this time and won't be able to attend the services for Gary. But please know that you are in our prayers at this time. Mel & Bev Williams 2010-01-05 13:48:10

The Lord needed a good referee to officiate his football team and called on Gary. We know you will do an outstanding job Gary but go over the rules especially the signal for the hurdling foul. Smiles. God bless you and your wonderful family. Dick & Linda Caricofe 2010-01-05 14:18:57

So sorry! Bob and I would like to express our deepest sympathy for your great loss. We will pray for the family! So sorry we are so far away! Bob & Lisa Knopp 2010-01-05 17:32:25

Kathy and family - our hearts and prayers go out to you at this sad time. We have very fond memories of when Jimmy and Gary worked together in banking (many years ago) and the christmas parties we attended together. Neither of us could believe our eyes when we read the paper today...Gary was a wonderful man and heaven is brighter with his presence. Love and prayers to you all. Jim & Linda Link 2010-01-05 20:02:47

TO SHEILA & KATHY & YOUR FAMILIES PLEASE ACCEPT OUR CONDOLENCES AT YOUR LOSS. I KNOW YOU WILL MISS GARY BUT HE WE WENT TO A GOOD FINAL PLACE WITH GOD. THE ADMITTING,OUT PATIENT REGISTRATION & EMERGENY DEPT Anonymous 2010-01-06 03:32:12

Sorry to hear ofyour loss. Youwill be in our prayers. If you need anything. Please let us know. Mary & Randy Rue 2010-01-06 12:47:13

We were shocked to hear of Gary's passing. The news prompted Bob to share a bunch of stories about him and Gary playing football together and being suite mates at Shenandoah College. Good times, good memories, and good friends. Bob will always treasure those memories of his dear friend. Gary was an amazing person and will be sadly missed. Our prayers will be with your family during this difficult time. God bless each of you. Bob and Teresa Wease Bob and Teresa Wease 2010-01-06 16:53:41

Dear Kathy and family-- I was shocked to read of Gary's passing. I know the sadness as I have walked in those shoes. I remember you and Gary at the bank functions and the blazing love you had for your family. May God enfold you in His loving arms and guide you to peace. Alice Julias Anonymous 2010-01-06 17:30:52

Kathy, Brittney and Brad, I am so terribly sorry to hear about Gary. He was such a wonderful man and a truly devoted father, husband and basketball/volleyball fan. I hope you find comfort in the fact that he's in a place without pain and suffering. My family is praying for you as you journey through you're healing process. Fondly, Amy K. Amy Krumm Kubler 2010-01-06 18:30:04

To the Albrite Family Kathy, Brittney Albrite & All Family-I was so sad to here about the loss of your husband/father, I know he was a wonderful man. May God take care of you through this time of grief. He is in Jesus loving hands now and is looking down upon you smiling now as he has to suffer no more. I lost my grandfather thru the same process as Gary endured. I know what you all are going thru. It is hard and I will keep you all in my prayers. God Bless you and the entire families affected by his death. With deepest Sympathy, Jeanette Hines Jeanette Hines 2010-01-06 18:45:29

I wish to express my deepest sympathy to Gary's family at this difficult time. I valued the opportunity when I had the chance to officiate with Gary. These times are remembered not only for working with a great official, but working with a highly respected man. He will be missed by many. May his family find comfort in the memories. Steve Cash 2010-01-06 19:37:19

Cindy, I am very sorry to hear of the passing of your brother. Please sent my prayers to your whole family. If you need anything please let me know. Gary Gibson Gary Gibson 2010-01-07 06:20:16

Brad- I was shock to here about the passing of your dad, he was a great man and i'll always remember him in his zebra uniform running up and down the field during pee wee/midget and high school games! Make sure to hold on to all the wonderful memories and if there is anything that we can do please let us know. Your entire Family will be in our thoughts and prayers. Mikael and Megan Boyers 2010-01-07 06:25:55

Mrs Albrite - I started with Gary at Allstate back in 1989. We went through the class in Richmond and two weeks in Chicago together. We kept in touch over the years and I always thought a lot of him. My oldest daughter graduated from JMU and when she was in H-burg, I callled Gary and asked if if she could call him in case any type of emergency came up...he said"Of course" and that gave me alot of peace of mind. Charles Gresham 2010-01-07 06:45:45

TEI HR Assistant Cindy, You are in my thoughts and prayers. God bless you with peace at this time in your life. May you be filled with blessed memories of good times and happiness with your brother. The Lord never leaves us, so you can trust in His loving presence. In Him, Diane Diane Deviers 2010-01-07 07:35:14

We can't say how saddened and shocked we were to learn that Gary had passed away. We only found out when our oldest son took a tow ticket to his office today. He was truly a dedicated man to his job and one of the nicest people we've ever dealt with. Our prayers are with his wife and family. Tim & Kathy Hiltner Tim & Kathy Hiltner 2010-01-07 16:40:51

We wish to offer our deepest sympathy to the family. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Frankie and Nancy Jett 2010-01-07 17:35:56

I was saddened to hear of Gary's passing. I work with Cindy at Truck Enterprises and had worked with her at Rocco in the past. One of my favorite poems is below and I hope in some way it is a comfort to you over these next weeks and months as you work toward healing the pain of his absence. From My Sight I am standing upon the seashore. A ship at my side spreads her white sails to the morning breeze and starts for the blue ocean. She is an object of beauty and strength. I stand and watch her until at length she hangs like a speck of white cloud just where the sea and sky come to mingle with each other. Then someone at my side says: "There, she is gone!" "Gone where?" Gone from my sight? That is all. She is just as large in mast and hull and spar as she was when she left my side and she is just as able to bear her load of living freight to her destined port. Her diminished size is ... Edgar Miller 2010-01-08 06:02:44

Sorry for your loss I have had the pleasure of working with Gary and the great people at his office over the last several years. Gary was wonderful to work with and he will be missed as part of the Allstate family. Sincerely, Carol Anderson Carol Anderson 2010-01-08 11:14:03

Deepest Sympathy It is with great saddness to hear of Gary's passing. Gary was a fine gentleman and it was a pleasure to have known him. May peace and love be with the entire family. David Loker Emu Plains NSW Australia David Loker 2010-01-23 04:03:38

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