CAPT. Aloysius Joseph Pickert, Jr., USN (ret.)

Our loving father, husband, grandfather and great-grandfather, Aloysius Joseph Pickert, Jr., died in New Orleans, LA on Saturday, January 23, 2016, at the age of 90.

He was born August 3, 1925 in Batavia, NY to Aloysius Joseph Pickert, Sr. and Anna Louise Moynihan. "Al", as he was known, was the oldest of four children. He graduated as valedictorian of his high school in 1943 and started the following fall at the Naval Academy, fulfilling a goal he set early in life. He received his commission from the Academy in three years. He came to Pensacola, FL in 1949 where he earned his wings and met his future bride. On September 9, 1950, he married Margaretta Tolton of Pensacola, whom he loved dearly for their 65 years together. Through his 30-year career in the Navy, he took on many roles and adventures. He spent time hanging upside-down out of planes to take photos for aerial maps of Europe and Northern Africa. Al toured the world on the USS Enterprise in Operation Sea Orbit in 1964, where he collected items from different countries and cultures. Starting in 1968, he taught senior foreign naval officers at the Naval War College in Newport, RI. He also received a Master's in International Relations from George Washington University via correspondence. Among numerous other ships, he commanded the USS Samuel Gompers from 1972 to 1974, where he made sure everything was kept in order and "AJ Squared Away." Al retired from the Navy in 1976 with the rank of Captain and settled in Pensacola, where he worked in commercial real estate. In retirement, Al enjoyed researching family genealogy, photography, playing softball, and spending time with his many grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his three younger siblings, Paul Pickert, Ann Romance and James Pickert.

He is survived by his wife, Margaretta of Pensacola, FL; his five children, Keenan (Stephen) Romig of New Orleans, LA, David (Pamela) Pickert of San Antonio, TX, Stephen (Valerie) Pickert of Orlando, FL, John (Rhonda) Pickert of Cleveland, TN, and Alan (Linda) Pickert of Jacksonville, FL; his fifteen grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

A devout lifelong Catholic, Al was a member of St. Paul Catholic Church near his home in Pensacola. Visitation will be held 3-5pm Sunday, January 31, 2016 at Harper-Morris Memorial Chapel, 2276 Airport Blvd., Pensacola, FL with a rosary to be prayed at 2:45pm.

Family and friends are welcome to attend the funeral Mass at 10:00am Monday, February 1, 2016 at St. Paul Catholic Church, 3131 Hyde Park Rd., Pensacola, FL. Burial will follow at 11:45am at Barrancas National Cemetery, Naval Air Station, Pensacola with full Navy Honors.