Joseph Ralph Albano

Joseph Ralph Albano, 85, of Lee County, GA died Wednesday, October 23, 2013, at Willson Hospice House. The family will receive friends from 6:00 PM until 7:30 PM Saturday at Mathews Funeral Home. A private family interment will be held at Colonial Memorial Cemetery in Hamilton, NJ.

A native of Trenton, NJ, born to Phillip and Mary Kichinko Albano, he graduated from Trenton Central High School and served in the United States Navy during WWII. During the Korean Conflict, Mr. Albano served in the New Jersey Air National Guard and then the United States Air Force.

He joined the Trenton Police Department in 1951 reaching the rank of Lieutenant, serving as a Detective and retired in 1986. Mr. Albano was also a founding member of the Trenton Police K-9 Unit. After his retirement, he served as the administrator of the Mercer County Juvenile Detention Facility and was the internal affairs officer for the Mercer County Detention Center.

Mr. Albano was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and was a past member and Vice-President of the Barron Athletic Association. He had lived in Lee County, GA since 2005. Mr. Albano was preceded in death by his son, Joey Albano and his step-son, David Lewis Ledford.

Survivors include his wife, Mary S. Albano of Lee County, GA, a son, Dean Albano and his wife, Jennifer of Hamilton, NJ, a step-daughter, Sherry Hunt and her husband, Ricky of Lee Co., GA, three grandchildren, Catherine Albano, Maree Albano, and Joseph Albano all of Hamilton, NJ, five step-grandchildren, D. J. Ledford, Kyle Ledford, Jessica Jones, Adam Hunt all of Lee Co., GA, Addie Massey of Jackson, GA and four step-great grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to The Willson Hospice House, 320 Foundation Lane, Albany, GA 31707.