George H. Albro, 78, of Worcester, died suddenly, Thursday, Nov. 4 at UMASS Memorial Medical Center in Worcester surrounded by his family, after being stricken ill at his home.

George was born in Worcester, the son of Glennon R. and Nellie I. (Seaver) Albro. He attended Leicester High School, where he began dating his wife of 55 years, Lillian C. (Brooks) Albro, in their junior year. He earned Bachelor’s (Class of ’65) and Master’s Degrees from Worcester State College. He remained dedicated to the Worcester State community, as it grew from a small teacher’s college to a University, serving on the Alumni Board, Foundation Board and Board of Trustees (Past Chairman).

George retired as assistant principal of Leicester High School in 2002. He had taught English for a total of 37 years. At Leicester High, he founded and ran, for over a decade, a student exchange program with a secondary school in Glossop, Derbyshire, UK.

George was a talented athlete and a beloved coach. Despite having no sight in one eye, he was a play-making point guard who completed a record number of assists at Worcester State, where he led the ’61-62 team to a state championship. He coached Boys Basketball and Baseball at Leicester High over a span of 17 years and later served as Assistant and then Head Basketball Coach at Worcester State, where he was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1998. An avid golfer, he played in the Senior League at Bedrock CC in Rutland and recorded his first hole in one just this year.

George was often on the telephone: many, many people relied on him for advice and support, and he generously shared his wisdom and thoughtful perspective. When he was with you, he was really with you. We’re heartbroken that he is no longer with us.

He leaves his wife of 55 years, Lillian C. (Brooks) Albro; his sons, Michael G. Albro and his wife Lisa of Rochdale and Timothy J. Albro and his wife Laura Heffernan of Jacksonville, FL.; his daughter BethAnn Albro-Fisher and her husband Benjamin Albro-Fisher of Northampton; his brother Donald Albro of Barre, his sister Patricia Dionne of Marlboro; his six grandchildren: Katie, Michael, Jenna, Adrienne, Julia, and Lowell; and several nieces and nephews. He also leaves his four siblings-in-law, to whom he was a brother: Barbara Brooks, Bobby Brooks, Bill Brooks, and Annette Ackerman. He is predeceased by a sister Beverly Granger.

The family is incredibly grateful to the staff at UMASS Memorial Medical Center, especially Ben, our RN.

The family will receive friends in a period of visitation prior to his Funeral Mass on Tuesday, Nov. 9 from 9 to 11a.m. in Christ the King Church, 1052 Pleasant St., Worcester. In addition, the family will greet mourners outside after Mass, which will begin at 11a.m. The family requests that masks or face coverings be worn at all times. There will be no funeral procession to the cemetery; burial will be private for the family in Worcester County Memorial Park, Paxton.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in George’s memory may be made to the George H. Albro ’65 Memorial Scholarship at Worcester State University. Checks should be made payable to the Worcester State Foundation, Inc. and in the memo field indicate George H. Albro ’65 Memorial Scholarship. Donations may be mailed to the Division of University Advancement, Worcester State University, 486 Chandler Street, Worcester, MA 01602.