Alfred "Al" William Kremler

Kremler, Alfred William, Fernandina Beach

Alfred “Al” passed away peacefully at the age of 92.  Born October 21, 1926 at home in Woodhaven, Queens, New York he started his career as a laborer on the Manhattan Project, the top-secret government mission responsible for developing the atomic bomb.  World War II had commenced and he enlisted in the Navy at the age of 17 and became a pharmacist’s mate.  One of the first crew members aboard the USS Dutchess, a Windsor class attack transport ship that transported and cared for military casualties throughout the Pacific.  The Dutchess received a battle star for courageous service during wartime.  Al was an avid bicyclist, competing as a member of the Long Island Wheelman’s Association winning many trophies, and NYS bicycle champion several times.  After the war Al took the test to become a New York City Police Officer for which he scored the fifth highest out of 16,273 other men.  He became a police officer, but walking the beat didn’t last long and he was asked to join the New York Police Association bicycle team.  He continued to win many competitions ending his career in California at an U.S. Olympic team qualifying race at which time he was injured in a pile up.  Retiring from the police department as a sergeant in 1967 he went into the car business promoting himself from sales to management. 

Al retired moving from his home in New York to Amelia Island, Florida with his son Bill and daughter-in-law, JoAnn.  He loved the mountains and the ocean, traveling from one coast to another. He was never without a joke to share leaving those around him chuckling.  He is predeceased by his wife Vilma.  He leaves behind his children Valerie, William and Cheryl, grandchildren Kevin, Brian, Caitlin, Christian, Alison, Lisa, Bree, James and Ryan and twelve great grandchildren.  Simply an amazing man, he will be missed by all who knew him.