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Philanthropist Leo Albert was awarded Palm Beach Police Foundation's Palm Tree Trophy January, 2007
Palm Beach Today photo by Ron Johnson
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"In loving memory to Leo Albert, a man who made a difference."
-Ron & Maya Johnson, Publishers
Leo was honored by Catholic Charities of Palm Beach at the Mar-a-Lago Club on January 28, 2007 for his $700,000 gift toward the building of St. Mary's Church in Pahokee in western Palm Beach County. Presenting the award is Gerald M. Barbarito, Bishop, diocese of Palm Beach. Photo below: Leo with Sister Mary Anne Dennehy O. Carm.
Palm Beach Today photo by Leonard Bryant
Leo dancing with his dear friend and fellow philanthropist, Lois Pope, at a charity at the Mar-a-Lago Club on Saturday, May 5, 2007. Leo contributed over $2 million to Lois's American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial which will be built in Washington, DC. Leo will be honored at the Lady in Red Gala on November 30 at the Mar-a-Lago Club.
Palm Beach Today photo by Ron Johnson
January 30, 2007 issue
November 26, 2006 issue
Janury 23,2007 issue
May 15,2007 issue
Reprint of a January 23, 2007 article written about Leo Albert by Ron Johnson, Palm Beach Today Editor
LEO ALBERT
PHILANTHROPIST
EXTRAODINAIRE
If Hollywood were to make a movie about society and philanthropy in Palm Beach, the producers wouldn't have to go far to find the star ... he's right here in Palm Beach and in the eyes of many he would easily win an Academy Award for his role in a true story.
He is Leo Albert, a Palm Beacher since 1992. He is what Dick Robinson, the popular "Master of the Gala's," calls "the real deal."
Leo Albert has that certain star-like quality. He turns heads when he drives down Worth Avenue (he lives on the avenue) in his black Bentley and one is pleasantly surprised when they meet this man ... his gentle tone and warm nature ... his immaculate clothes and manners to match.
This is a man who personifies the term - "giver." Last year (2006) he contributed over $3 million to 139 charitable organizations.
It is no wonder that his apartment - also immaculate - is filled with awards ... from LIFE (Leaders in Furthering Education) for his $1 million gift (Editor update - now $2 million) to help close friend and fellow philanthropist Lois Pope build a memorial in Washington, DC in honor of disabled veterans.
Mr. Albert served four years in the Marine Corps and served in World War II.
"I have seen first hand the destruction of war and how the lives of our brave soldiers are changed," said Mr. Albert. "It only takes seconds for a young person to be maimed, but it takes a lifetime to recover.
"On thing we can do is to make sure that they are permanently remembered through the construction of this Memorial.
"It will serve as the first and only memorial dedicated to our country's disabled veterans - a living memorial which will educate millions of American's about dedication, courage and patriotism for generations to come," he said following the memorial gala last April (2006) at The Pierre Hotel in New York.
These are not just words written by a publicist, but his true, genuine feelings. His eyes tell how how sincere he feels.
Mr. Albert has a true dedication to the Palm Beach Police Department. "Do you realize that we are in the center of an area where dealers try to smuggle drugs into the country?
"I bought the police department a 35-foot Island Runnger that can exceed 60 miles an hour so that they can more than keep up with the smugglers," Mr. Albert said.
It was only fitting for the newly formed Palm Beach Police Foundation to award Mr. Albert their first annual Palm Tree Award.
"This award is in recognition of Leo's outstanding community support," said Foundation president John Scarpa at the recent Palm Beach Policeman's Ball.
This was probably an understatement. Mr. Albert just doesn't hand out checks like candy. He is familiar with the cause of each non-profit organizations he gives to.
He studies each cause with the same method he utilized when he was CEO of Prentice-Hall International Publishers and chairman of the Association of American Book Publishers.
"I have a stack like this of the causes I am involved with," Mr. Albert said as he held his hand about a foot above the table.
My wife and Palm Beach Today co-publisher, Maya, has passionate opinions about Leo Albert.
"Leo Albert is a humanitarian who decided to devote his life in recent years to help charities help people. He is a man of his word and a man of dignity and elegancy.
"This is a man who loved and respected his late wife to the fullness of it. He went through terrible troubles when his wife was stricken with Alzheimer's.
"He took care of her at home for many years until the last eight months of her life when the disease was out of control. She passed away May 3, 2005 and today part of his contributions go to Alzheimer's Community Care.
"He is highly human and down to earth. he doesn't brag about his accomplishments in life and what he does for the community - he just does it.
"Leo told me recently (Editor's update November, 2006) that he has a modest apartment and doesn't have boats or jets. He is only interested in helping others.
"He helps people all over the world. Very few know about, for example, his contributions to chaurches in Quatemala."
And so it is that a movie probably won't be made about Palm Beach society and philanthropy, but regardless, Leo Albert is our star ... our philanthropist extraordinaire.
Thursday, November 8 from 6pm-8pm Viewing at Quattlebaum Funeral Home, 1201 S. Olive, West Palm Beach.
Tel: 832-5171
Friday, November 9 10:00 am
Funeral Mass at St. Edward Catholic Church, 142 North County Road,
Palm Beach. Tel: 561-832-0400
St. Edward Church, Palm Beach, Florida began in1924 as a mission parish. The Provincial of the Jesuit order in the south, headquartered in New Orleans, sent the Reverend Felix J. Clarkson, S.J., to Palm Beach to provide services and take care of the spiritual needs of the winter visitors.
Fr. Clarkson quickly purchased three lots on the corner of Sunrise and North Country Road. On Easter Sunday, April 4, 1926, ground was broken for the new Spanish Colonial style church. And, nine months later, the first service, Midnight Mass, December 24, 1926 was celebrated in the newly completed edifice.
At the time, all seventy-one stained glass windows, in the church were in place. On the ground floor, on the south side seven windows depict parables from the Gospels.
The sixteen large clerestory windows featured in the church, above the smaller ground floor windows, feature the major events in the life of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Almost all the stained glass windows in the church are arch-shaped. All windows constructed from handblown, painted, pot metal glass, are from the well-known studio of Franz Mayer and Company, Munich, Germany. From design to production, all work was completed in 1926.
These beautiful stained glass windows adhere to the mode of Munich pictorial realism, as composition is governed by the principals of Renaissance and Baroque easel painting. Major characters featured stand out for their rich colors and elaborate dress, while backgrounds are detailed, with much attention given to ornamentation. Likewise there are strong contrasts throughout between light and shadow.
All stained glass windows in the church are architecturally placed to bathe the nave and the sanctuary with both direct and indirect light. The result is a genuine enhancement of the beauty and spiritual environment of the church.
Leo loved his church. Click here to read background of St. Edward Church.
It was our privilege to afford the charities complimentary space for their tributes.
-Ron and Maya Johnson, Publishers
