Albert Charles Goethals

passed away on Tuesday, December 2, 2008 at University of Washington Medical Center following heart surgery. He was born in Seattle to Victor and Leonie Goethals on March 22, 1934. He attended Queen Anne High School and studied baking at technical school. Al worked at several bakeries in Seattle. He married Joanne Nestler on May 16, 1953. They later moved to Everett and started a bakery with his brother Gilbert. After a few years Al's interests turned to real-estate and he became a realtor. In 1963 Al and Joanne purchased an old 80 acre dairy farm on Bainbridge Island on Lynwood Center Road and began the development of Emerald Heights. Working as Emerald Construction, he built many of the homes there as well as others in Kitsap County. When Al was not building, remodeling and roofing houses and building and managing the Emerald Heights Water System, he raised and showed appaloosa horses. The family won numerous state championships and national awards. He was a member of the Sportsman Club and Bainbridge Saddle Club for many years, helped to build the saddle club arena on Day Road. He was also a member of the Appaloosa Horse Club and a Washington State Horseman judge for several years. Al enjoyed hunting and fishing, especially the many trips to remote areas of Alaska. In more recent years, Al enjoyed traveling, family gatherings, wood carving and walking on the Gazzam Lake Trails. Al was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Ronald. He is survived by his loving wife of 55 years Joanne, his brother Gilbert (Lete Ray) of Auburn, sister Mary Louise Bassen (Bill) of Edmonds, sons Rick of Bellevue, Robert (Agnes) of Silverdale and daughter Cheryl Messer (Jerry) of Elma, granddaughter Ashley and grandsons Michael and Kyle and many nieces and nephews. Family and friends are invited to attend a Memorial Reception on Saturday, January 17, 2009 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 8677 Madison Avenue NE, on Bainbridge Island, WA from 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM. Memorial contributions can be made to the Bainbridge Island Fire Department.