Donald Joseph Albrinck

Donald Joseph Albrinck passed away peacefully on September 11, 2026, surrounded by his family at the age of 87.

Don grew up in Reading, Ohio, and was a member of Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church and school, where he was an altar server until his marriage to his beloved wife, Karen. Don was a multi-sport athlete at Roger Bacon High School and earned an athletic scholarship from Villa Madonna College (now Thomas More University), where he had the opportunity to play basketball alongside his twin brother, Ron, and his cousin Ray. Don learned weeks before his passing that he'd been inducted into the school's athletics Hall of Fame, which brought him a great sense of pride and joy in his final days. After graduating from Villa Madonna, Don earned a master's degree in chemistry at Xavier University and embarked on a 30+ year career with Formica Corporation where he earned multiple patents for his creation of resins and followed that with a career finding the perfect tools for customers at Lowe's Home Improvement.

Don turned his love of sports and desire to make a difference in the lives of all into a decade-long coaching career for his children's baseball and basketball teams, and had a tremendous impact on all children who joined those teams. In later years, Don happily spent many hours traveling to his grandchildren's sporting, music, and theater events.

Don was a devoted Catholic and a founding member of Saint John Neumann Catholic Church. He helped start the parish Men's Society and served multiple terms as the organization's president. Don was a lector, an active volunteer in the annual festival, attended daily Mass, and regularly volunteered at the local food pantry. Don was also a part of the team who created the stained-glass windows adorning the church. Don always looked for an opportunity to help everyone, visiting the sick in hospitals, volunteering for every service project he heard about, and sometimes just by putting together jigsaw puzzles with his grandchildren or telling a story. To Don, there were no strangers, only people you hadn't found a common thread, friend, or interest with just yet. Don was diagnosed with Lewy Body dementia in 2018. As the disease gradually took away his mind and body, Don lost the ability to serve others but retained his good humor and gentle nature to the very end.

Don was preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Bernardine (Arens) Albrinck and his sister, Marlene (the late Joe) Hagedorn. He is survived by Karen (Naegele) Albrinck, his devoted warrior of a wife of 55 years and caregiver in his final years; his beloved children, Alex (Becky) Albrinck and Angie (Steve) Cole; his treasured grandchildren Abby, Mandy, and Ben Albrinck, and Sydney, Connor, Brady, and Lauren Cole; his siblings Ron (Sally) Albrinck, Denny (the late Carol) Albrinck, Kathleen Albrinck, and David (Ruth) Albrinck; and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Guests may greet the family at St. John Neumann Church, 12191 Mill Rd., Cincinnati, OH 45240 on Wednesday, September 16, 2026 from 7-9PM. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at the church on Thursday, September 17, 2026 at 11AM with visitation one hour prior. Burial will follow at Sts. Peter and Paul Cemetery, Reading, OH.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made Roger Bacon High School, Thomas More University, or the Corpus Christi Pastoral Area Food Bank.