Albert Henry Esselborndied on Monday, December 28, 2015. He was born on April 9, 1925 in Portchester, NY to Jacob and Helen (Telschow) Esselborn.

Al received his early education in Larchmont, NY. He enlisted in the US Navy in 1943 at the age of 17 and was commissioned an officer in 1945. After receiving an honorable discharge in 1946 Albert attended St. John's Law School and was admitted to the New York Bar in June 1949.

Ordained a Maryknoll priest in 1955, he worked in Guatemala until 1968 when he chose to leave the religious life. AL then worked as an attorney at the NY State Appellate Court in Brooklyn until he retired in 1983. In 1971, he married Marie Helen Smith, the love of his life. Marie and Al lived in Fresh Meadows, NY until 1983 when they moved to Manchester Center, VT where Albert was a partner with Marie in the Barnumville Learning Center.

In 2004 surgery at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center extended his life, which led to Marie and Al relocating to West Lebanon, NH in 2006. For the past four years Albert was well-cared for and loved by the staff at Wheelock Terrace in Hanover, NH where he lived due to his dementia. Al boosted the morale of staff and residents alike with his kindness and frequent expressions of gratitude. To the end Al was his sweet, kind self; a gentle soul who was always a gentleman.

Marie is grateful for the excellent, professional care of the DHMC and Wheelock Terrace staffs and the kindness with which it was provided as well as the support that the community has given to both of them.

Albert was predeceased by his sister, Anne Esselborn, and brother Reverend Jacob Esselborn, MM. He is survived by his wife, Marie, a sister, Marguerite Pascale of Naples, FL, several nieces and nephews and his brother-in-law, Simon Smith, SJ of Weston, MA.

All who would like to celebrate the life of Albert Esselborn, who died on December 28, 2015, are invited to the Senior Lounge at the Black Community Center in Hanover, NH on January 15, 2016 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Upper Valley Memory Café. Checks should be made payable to "Dartmouth College" and should be sent to: Dartmouth-Hitchcock Aging Resource Center, One Medical Center Drive, Lebanon, NH 03756. Please note "Memory Café" on the memo line.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Rand-Wilson Funeral Home of Hanover, NH.