Allan Darby

Darby, Allan Bert, 92 of Absecon, NJ passed away on Saturday, December 29, 2012 surrounded by his beloved family.

Big Al Darby was born on January 3, 1921 in Atlantic City, NJ to Marie and Bert Darby. He enlisted in the US Army in 1941 and shipped off to Pearl Harbor, HI where he survived the December 7th attack. He spent the next 3 years in the Pacific Theater of WWII. Upon his return home, he was a trolley car driver in Atlantic City. In 1946, he married Betty (Kemmerle). In 1953, Allan joined the NJ State Police and retired as a Lieutenant in 1978. In 1978, he opened Resorts Casino as the head of security and finally retired for good in 1989. Al was a life member of the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association, Absecon Kiwanis, Absecon Historical Society, American Legion Post #28, and the Absecon VFW Post #9462. He travelled often to Hawaii, he was an avid fisherman, loved the daily jumble, loved to tell old war stories and was a faithful Philadelphia sports fan of all teams. Most of all, he loved having his whole family at his house, which he affectionately referred to as Darbyville.

He is predeceased by his wife of 64 years, Betty (nee Kemmerle), siblings: Bob Hurless, Marie Barkoff and Billy Robinson. He is survived by his son, Allan Jr. and daughter, Lee Susan, both of Absecon. Sister, Betty Petit of Pleasantville. Grandchildren: Jaime Boyce-Molinaro (Chris), Kevin Boyce (Lauren), Maria Pastorino (Tony), Michael Rinaldi (Klare) and Great-grandchildren, Vincent, Madison, Lily and Ella. And a plethora of cousins, nieces, nephews and life-long friends including Al Matthews, who served beside him in Pearl Harbor.

He will receive full Military and State Police honors in a service on Saturday, January 5, 2013. Friends and family may call from 9-11am at Parsels Funeral Home, 324 New Jersey Ave., Absecon. Service will be at 11am. Interment will follow at Laurel Memorial Park in Pomona. From 2-6pm, there will be a celebration of his life at the VFW in Somers Point on Bethel Road. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Former Troopers Association or Veteran Association of their choice. For online condolences, please visit www.parselsfuneralhome.com.