St. Pius X High School loses another one of its iconic teachers. Dave 'DA' Albert, teacher by day, enforcer by night. One of my mentors.

DA, Dave Albert puts his white lab coat away for the final time.

There may never have been another teacher in Ottawa who led a double life like our special friend, DA, Mr. Dave Albert. Mild mannered, caring, giving, generous to the letter – I mean this man was not only an exceptional teacher but because he was always willing to go that extra mile with any student there are many from St. Pius X High School who look back at their time during his 30 years there and say he was their favourite teacher or definitely their most influential. A list of people who he lent his car to, that 1971 442 cutlass, over 30 years it would be a mile long.

Then you had his life away from the school where he would step in for numerous friends in confrontations which at certain locales across our great city and region could be plentiful in the 1960s and 1970s and DA was very accomplished at handling those occurrences – if you know what I mean – and from those grew quite a reputation.

I had Mr. Albert twice for math, grade’s 10 and 12. In those days at Pius you didn’t have much time to talk when the school bell rang, you had to hustle to class. I, like many others, felt I had struck up a great relationship with him largely through sports but I just loved the guy. I would always race to his class a little quicker and try and get a few minutes with him before he had to formally begin. One time he had a black eye and I asked him what happened and he sluffed it off as an accident at home. I had no idea for several years that away from school in places where angels feared to tread he was quite often there and although it was always for a good time if need be he’d ensure he and his friends would exit safely. I have to share one such story where he stepped in.

I stayed in touch with him a bit as the years rolled by. Occasionally we’d get together at the Prescott and catch up. It was always so good to see him. He attended several of our Class of 78 gatherings especially the ones we held informally at the P where it was basically stated if you’re around we’re getting together for a Christmas quart etc. He’d hear about it and he’d roll in wearing his white lab coat. It was so fantastic. One such occasion I queried him quite a bit about his life away from Pius in those halcyon days and he told several stories which certainly explained that black eye in 1974. He had a friend who owned a garage in the east end of the city. This man was being extorted by several ‘heavies’ let’s call them and I forget all the small details about his predicament but the police were not an option. Enter Mr. Albert.

DA and a friend of his were at the garage upstairs when ‘the heavies’ showed up for collection only this time they were greeted by Dave and his friend coming down the stairs from the office. In no uncertain terms the ‘heavies’ were told their extortion days were over. Needless to say it was on. DA finished by saying he was so happy he was able to alleviate that problem for his friend.

He was also a coach of several Pius teams over the years helping several to championship seasons. He was a friend to all who knew him, a mentor, always offering guidance and generosity but most of all he was a teacher. He was our teacher. He died a week ago today, August 5th, 2021 at the age of 84. Rest in peace Mr. Albert.