Albert Mitchell
Albert Mitchell, of Philadelphia, was born on December 29, 1946, to the late James and Sarah Mitchell. He was the fourth oldest of his parents’ eight children. Albert graduated from Overbrook High School and served in the US military. Albert studied the Bible with Benny Thompson in North Philadelphia, and then symbolized his dedication by baptism on July 22, 1977, as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Less than two years after his baptism, Albert began his career in full-time service on May 25, 1979. On that same date, he became a member of the Bethel family at the World Headquarters of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Brooklyn, NY. He was appointed as elder in 1984 and served as such until his death. For 29 years he served at the Brooklyn, NY branch, working in the bindery, shipping, maintenance, and transportation offices, and in the carpentry, production, sheet metal, and HVAC plumbing shops until July 28, 2008. He was known by his Bethel family as being willing, hard-working, generous, and kind, and was known for his good sense of humor. After leaving Bethel, he was associated with the Central Portuguese and Central Kabuverdianu congregations in Boston and later served in the Fairmount Park Congregation in Philadelphia and continued his special full-time service until his death. In total, Albert served one month shy of 46 years in special full-time service, which includes his 40 years as a congregation elder. He spoke English, Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese, and Kabuverdianu (Cape Verdean) Creole.
Albert had many likes, such as suits, coffee, Pat’s beer, unsalted chips, hoagies, and Motown. However, just by his conversation you could tell what was most important was his relationship with Jehovah God.
Albert peacefully fell asleep in death on April 9, 2025, after a difficult battle with Lewy body dementia. Even though his memory of many things diminished, he never forgot about Jehovah. He would always talk about God’s promise found in the Bible of perfect life without sin and death.
Albert was loved by not only his family but also the friends in the congregations he served. Though he never married or had children of his own, he was especially loved by the younger sisters, who felt drawn to him because of his laid-back, kind, and funny demeanor and his honesty. He was always quick to compliment and slow to judge or criticize. He wanted to get the facts, but once he ascertained them, he wasn’t afraid to speak up. He was humble and wanted everyone to feel comfortable around him; he always used to love saying, “Just one more day closer to the new world.” “Alberto VO5,” he was affectionately called by his friends in the congregation. All of us who loved Albert, Alberto V05, and Uncle Al will miss him dearly and are looking forward to seeing him again in the new world.
Albert was preceded in death by his siblings, Edward, Daisey, Barbara, Freddie, and Sandy, and nephew Thomas Jr. He leaves to cherish his memory his siblings James Jr. and Marie Mitchell, his nieces and nephews Windy, Freddie, MaLinda, Chyron, Gregory, Michael, Steven, Kevin, Derrick, Keisha, Antonio, Kyra, Tyrelle, Sara, and a host of other family members and dear friends.
The family will be holding a memorial service to celebrate Albert’s life on Saturday, April 26th at 2:00 PM at Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses–Haverford (607 N. 43rd St. #601 Phila., PA 19104) Please join his family and friends as they remember and honor him.
A viewing for Albert will be held on Monday, April 28th at McCafferty Funeral & Cremation Inc. 6711 Frankford Ave. Phila., PA 19135 (between Unruh & Knorr St.) from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Following the viewing, Albert will be laid to rest at Washington Crossing National Cemetery.
My husband and I had the privilege of serving with Albert in Taunton from the time he left bethel untill 2017 when he moved to Boston. He was kind, humble, funny, and above all spiritual. Brother Mitchell was full of wisdom and always gave the best advice based on the scriptures. He never had an unkind thing to say about anyone. It was quite an adjustment for him leaving bethel after 29 years, but he quickly became part of our family. Albert really loved Jehovah and the friends. “You have to love the friends” he would always say. We’re going to miss him and can’t wait to welcome him back.
Such a kind hearted and loving spiritual brother. It will be awesome to see Big Al’s smile again in the very near future.
I was Albert’s roommate at Bethel for 5 years from 1999 to 2004 when I got married. When I moved in with Albert I was a 19 year old kid and he was a grown man of 52, yet like David and Jonathan he became a dear friend, a trusted confidant, a sincere guide and a wise counselor. His wisdom and example is exactly what I needed to make a successful career of serving Jehovah in special full time service just as he did for many decades. Although we will miss him for now, we have complete confidence we will be seeing him again in the near future. Then he will have the opportunity to mentor a whole new generation with his love for Jehovah, his big heart, and his equally big senses of humor and smile.
The time the congreaton had a gathering. We all learn the square dance mitch did not practice but did it any way so it did not surprise us when he took up spanish. The time my husband Anthony spoke to hime in early 2023 he said Its just around the corner and they would see each other.
Albert and I was in the same congregation in Philadelphia called Uptown. He was the first in Uptown to go to Bethel and I was the 2nd. I’ve been living in Tucson Arizona for over 40 years. Albert came to Tucson for vacation back in the 90’s and began asking around if anyone knew me, Bernard Glover. The family that hosted Albert made some calls until he he was given my number and what a surprise to hear from Albert. I will my dear brother. If his memorial service will also be on Zoom, please send me the Meeting ID and Passcode at revolg58@icloud.com
Gordon and Leigh Paschall extend our condolences to the family as well. Albert was our freight elevator in bldg 4 until he transferred over to the factory sheet metal and was trained to do some of our welding jobs. He was also known for deep spiritual discussion as well. He will be missed.
Juan Lino Reynoso Jr, Big Al what I called him, served alongside my late Dad, Juan Lino Reynoso Sr @ The Tompkins Spanish Congregation in Bed-Sty BK. We all admired him for his patience and loving demeanor with us young ones in our congregation. We studied together after our Sunday meetings and what a joy that was. He helped everyone he came in contact with and never had a negative word for anyone. I’m extremely sadden because I could never find where he ended up but I was blessed to have shared time with him. Big Al we all loved you and so looking forward to your Resurrection because you’re in our great God Jehovah’s memory!!! I will Miss you!!!
Our Condolences to the family. Al will be missed. He was a happy n witty person. My husband, Peter Melendez worked with him in the electrical dept at bethel and have many fond memories of him. Another sister and I would join Al going to the Spanish book studies back in the late 80s. May the resurrection hope sustain you all and friends of Al. Love Peter & Evelyn Melendez.
I knew Albert when I was young. He would take me and other friends from the congregation on trips to the farm Wallkill. He was an elder in the Spanish Congregation in Brooklyn NY. Tompkins sp. That's when a started to learn Spanish. I remember all the effort he put to learning the language. When he gave his first talk in Spanish he was soooo proud of the accomplishment. For him it was like climbing a mountain. Thanks to what he tought me today I am an elder in my congregation. His patience and kindness was to be admired. Getting to know "Mitchell" was a privilege and I am sooo thankful to Jehovah for allowing me that opportunity. He was my "Jonathan" that's mention in the Bible since I was in my preteen and I was "David". Eventhough I was young he didn't dismiss me but gave me his time to listen and care for what I had to say. Michell will be missed until the day when Jehovah brings him back and I pray that I will have the privilege of welcoming him back.
Albert was the first Jehovah witness that took me and my family under his wigs and truly impressed use. I will forever love him and I’m thankful I was able to have him in my life.
Albert was the first Jehovah witness that took me and my family under his wigs and truly impressed use. I will forever love him and I’m thankful I was able to have him in my life.
I knew Albert when I was young. He would take me and other friends from the congregation on trips to the farm Wallkill. He was an elder in the Spanish Congregation in Brooklyn NY. Tompkins sp. That’s when a started to learn Spanish. I remember all the effort he put to learning the language. When he gave his first talk in Spanish he was soooo proud of the accomplishment. For him it was like climbing a mountain. Thanks to what he tought me today I am an elder in my congregation. His patience and kindness was to be admired. Getting to know “Mitchell” was a privilege and I am sooo thankful to Jehovah for allowing me that opportunity. He was my “Jonathan” that’s mention in the Bible since I was in my preteen and I was “David”. Eventhough I was young he didn’t dismiss me but gave me his time to listen and care for what I had to say. Michell will be missed until the day when Jehovah brings him back and I pray that I will have the privilege of welcoming him back.
Our Condolences to the family. Al will be missed. He was a happy n witty person. My husband, Peter Melendez worked with him in the electrical dept at bethel and have many fond memories of him. Another sister and I would join Al going to the Spanish book studies back in the late 80s. May the resurrection hope sustain you all and friends of Al.
Love Peter & Evelyn Melendez.
Juan Lino Reynoso Jr,
Big Al what I called him, served alongside my late Dad, Juan Lino Reynoso Sr @ The Tompkins Spanish Congregation in Bed-Sty BK. We all admired him for his patience and loving demeanor with us young ones in our congregation. We studied together after our Sunday meetings and what a joy that was. He helped everyone he came in contact with and never had a negative word for anyone. I’m extremely sadden because I could never find where he ended up but I was blessed to have shared time with him. Big Al we all loved you and so looking forward to your Resurrection because you’re in our great God Jehovah’s memory!!! I will Miss you!!!
Gordon and Leigh Paschall extend our condolences to the family as well. Albert was our freight elevator in bldg 4 until he transferred over to the factory sheet metal and was trained to do some of our welding jobs. He was also known for deep spiritual discussion as well. He will be missed.
Albert and I was in the same congregation in Philadelphia called Uptown. He was the first in Uptown to go to Bethel and I was the 2nd. I’ve been living in Tucson Arizona for over 40 years. Albert came to Tucson for vacation back in the 90’s and began asking around if anyone knew me, Bernard Glover. The family that hosted Albert made some calls until he he was given my number and what a surprise to hear from Albert. I will my dear brother. If his memorial service will also be on Zoom, please send me the Meeting ID and Passcode at revolg58@icloud.com
The time the congreaton had a gathering. We all learn the square dance mitch did not practice but did it any way so it did not surprise us when he took up spanish. The time my husband Anthony spoke to hime in early 2023 he said
Its just around the corner and they would see each
other.
I was Albert’s roommate at Bethel for 5 years from 1999 to 2004 when I got married. When I moved in with Albert I was a 19 year old kid and he was a grown man of 52, yet like David and Jonathan he became a dear friend, a trusted confidant, a sincere guide and a wise counselor. His wisdom and example is exactly what I needed to make a successful career of serving Jehovah in special full time service just as he did for many decades. Although we will miss him for now, we have complete confidence we will be seeing him again in the near future. Then he will have the opportunity to mentor a whole new generation with his love for Jehovah, his big heart, and his equally big senses of humor and smile.
Such a kind hearted and loving spiritual brother. It will be awesome to see Big Al’s smile again in the very near future.
My husband and I had the privilege of serving with Albert in Taunton from the time he left bethel untill 2017 when he moved to Boston. He was kind, humble, funny, and above all spiritual. Brother Mitchell was full of wisdom and always gave the best advice based on the scriptures. He never had an unkind thing to say about anyone. It was quite an adjustment for him leaving bethel after 29 years, but he quickly became part of our family. Albert really loved Jehovah and the friends. “You have to love the friends” he would always say. We’re going to miss him and can’t wait to welcome him back.