Our unforgettable dad, Alvin Bennie ("Al") Wesneski, age 93, passed away February 24, 2021.  He is survived by his wife, Edna; his daughter, Paula Chaffin and husband Frank; sons, Bob Wesneski and wife Melinda and their children, Kyle, Ryan and Joshua; Tim Wesneski and wife Susan Donaldson and their children, Lindsey and Kaitlin; step-children, Terry Burgan and wife Brenda and their children, Jubal and Ada; Brad Burgan and wife Julie and their child Brandon; Kathie Edwards and husband Ted and their children Heather and Alyssa; Randy Burgan and wife Barbara and their child Randy, Jr.; brother Harold Wesneski and wife Natalie; sisters Dorothy Wesneski and Annie Wesneski and numerous great-grandchildren, nephews and nieces.

He was born February 22, 1928, in Brenham, Texas to the late Steve and Mary Wesneski, who instilled a healthy pride in his Polish heritage.  Al had a country upbringing on his family farm near Brenham.  His large family of 10 siblings was extremely close throughout their lives, hunting together and sharing family birthdays and holidays.  The kids spent most of their time outdoors and Al felt completely at home outside the confines of buildings.  Wearing no shoes all summer and treating Mill Creek as their private pool was normal.

Al joined the Army and served in Korea.  After being honorably discharged in 1947, he was astute enough to turn his sights on the growing oil and gas business.  He worked for a seismic crew that traveled around the U.S. and Canada, eventually finding himself staying at a boarding house in Carlyle, Saskatchewan.  A beautiful daughter of the family caught his eye.  Al and Tudy discovered a shared love of dancing, and for each other, and so married in 1953.  Even then, Al's love of fishing, and his skills at catching everything, was legendary.  If there were fish to be caught, he would catch them.  He provided wild game and fish to feed his brood.

Al and Tudy had 2 kids (Paula and Bob) in 2 years, living in an 8 foot wide house trailer that they hauled around the Canadian backwoods for 2 Canadian winters, which was enough to persuade them to seek the warmer climate of south Texas, aka Houston, in 1956.

Once rooted in Houston, the heartily seasoned couple started suburban life in the cow pastures that had sprouted homes.  They had one more child (Tim) and proceeded to raise them with love and guidance, insisting they get a college education because neither had one.  Al worked for a firm that eventually became part of Dresser Industries, retiring in 1993.

Al was a true fixer-upper, long before that term became popular on HGTV.  He taught himself innumerable skills so he could add on to his home, fix his own cars, install his own central air conditioning, or fix anything that his kids or friends brought around.  A repairman never darkened the Wesneski door.

The most precious gift that Al gave to this family was his time.  He would drive the whole family to Canada every 2 summers to visit his in-laws' extended family, spending every bit of his earned vacation, to give his family the crowning experiences of their lives.  He spent hours with the children's activities, from Girl Scouts to Boy Scouts to little league baseball to band.  Whatever they were doing, he was there to lend a hand.  He shared his love of fishing with his children and grandchildren although his skills did not always transfer genetically.

After the passing of his wife Tudy in 1988, Al found his second love, Edna (Burgan) and they joined hands in marriage in 1994.  They danced more than anyone at their wedding and, because of their shared love of dancing, joined several dance clubs.  They took an active part in keeping the clubs alive.  They always had some of the best costumes at the special events like the Halloween and Valentine's Day parties.  Al took special pride in preparing food on the grill for the dances, as well as fixing barbecue and other items for friends and family.

Al enjoyed coaxing vegetables out of the ground.  He spent hours gardening each season and was rewarded with a bountiful crop.  He was able to devote more time to his garden once he moved to a larger place, installing irrigation, digging rows, mulching, staking up plants and whatever else he could think of.  That passion and some of that skill did pass on to his descendants.

Edna sparked the traveling bug in Al and they traveled extensively to places near and far.  Their yearly trips to Lake Tahoe, Las Vegas and Puerto Vallarta were some of their favorites with other family members frequently in tow.  Al and Edna especially enjoyed traveling with Edna's sister Joyce and her husband David.  Al joined his second family's traditions, like the Family Reunion, with boundless enthusiasm, relishing the chance to live large.  Al and Edna held an annual July 4th Party and New Year's Eve Party that everyone looked forward to.

His love of life infected all who met him.  He helped anyone he could, asking for nothing in return.  We know for sure that he's laughing and dancing with Tudy, his brothers, sisters and parents in Heaven.

A visitation will be held on Thursday, March 4, from 5 pm to 8 pm at Klein Funeral Home, 16131 Champion Forest Dr, Spring, TX 77379. A Vigil Prayer Service with remarks from family and friends will begin at 7:00.

The Funeral Mass for Al will be held on Friday, March 5, beginning at 11 am at St. Ignatius Loyola Catholic Church, 7810 Cypresswood Dr, Spring, TX 77379. Extended family and friends are invited to arrive at the church no more than 20 minutes before the scheduled time of the funeral.  The mass will be livestreamed on YouTube at Al's Funeral Mass :    The Funeral Mass will be followed immediately by interment at Woodlawn Cemetery, 1101 Antoine Dr., Houston, TX  77055.

Please note that, because of COVID, attendees to the visitation and/or Funeral Mass will be required to wear masks and maintain social distancing.

Lastly, in honor of Al's long-standing disdain for neckties, attendees are encouraged to leave their ties at home.

Donations may be made in memory of Al Wesneski and Megan Burgan at the Make-a-Wish Foundation (Texas Gulf Coast & Louisiana)