Albert P. Lexie, “The Shoeshine Man,” 76, passed away Oct. 16, 2018, in the Davenport Hall of Charleroi. Albert was born in Monessen on Aug. 1, 1942, son of the late Frank and Nellie Malinchak Lexie. Albert built his shoeshine box in shop class at Monessen High School in eighth grade in his final year of school. He received an honorary diploma from Monessen High School in 1999. Albert began shining shoes at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh in 1982. He left Monessen at 5:50 a.m. every Tuesday and Thursday in order to arrive at Children’s to begin shining shoes at 7:25 a.m. Albert was a Champion to Children’s Hospital and had donated all of his tip money to “His Kids” through the Children’s Hospital Free Care Fund. Due to his selfless generosity, Albert was awarded The Association of Fundraising Professional Outstanding Philanthropist Award from the organization’s Western Pennsylvania Chapter in 2001 and a 1997 Jefferson Medal for Outstanding Citizen. He had been honored by the Donora Rotary for community service in 2006 and received the National Caring Award by the Caring Institute and is a member of the Hall of Fame for Caring Americans. The Foundation for A Better Life recognized Albert with billboards in every state in the nation to honor his kindness. In 2010, Albert was selected by “People” magazine as one of 30 “All Stars Among Us” and was honored at the Major League Baseball All-Star Game. Albert has appeared on the “Oprah Winfrey Show,” “Jane Pauley Show,” CBS Evening News, and ABC World News Tonight. “Reader’s Digest” had a feature article about him as well. In 2012, his biography, “Albert’s Kids,” was published. Albert had been a bell ringer for the Salvation Army for numerous years and was honored by the Salvation Army in 2013 for his efforts and recognizing his retirement. Albert was an honorary member of the Monessen Fire Department. He was also a member of the Monongahela Rotary Club. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Kathy Cooper; brothers, John and Frank; and several nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins. Surviving are his niece and caregiver, Stephanie Davis; brother-in-law, Harry Cooper; many nieces and nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and his extended family at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to RHOME FUNERAL HOME INC., 1209 Grand Blvd. Monessen, where friends will be welcomed from 1 to 3 and 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018. Funeral services will be held in the funeral home at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Oct. 19, 2018, with the Rev. J.D. Davenport officiating. Interment will follow at Grandview Cemetery of Monessen. Online condolences may be conveyed to the family at www.rhomefuneralhome.com.
