HOULTON – Albro Foster Cowperthwaite Sr., 90, died July 29, 2011, at Houlton Regional Hospital after a brief illness. Albro was born April 8, 1921, in Monticello, the son of Abner and Velma (Foster) Cowperthwaite.
He married Marion (Staples) of Minot, June 4, 1941. They recently celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary. Albro attended Monticello schools and Higgins Classical Institute, Charleston, graduating in 1938. While at Higgins Classical Institute he worked in the kitchen learning to cook great food from scratch. After graduation he cooked at Rangeley Lake Hotel summers and then on Collier Island in Florida during the winter. He met Marion in Florida, where she was working as a waitress. In 1942 they opened Al’s Food Shop, Auburn, and as business grew they opened five additional restaurants in Waterville, Newport, Presque Isle, Caribou and Houlton. In 1952 they purchased a motel and campground at Crescent Park on Nickerson Lake, Houlton. In the 1960s they liquidated most of the restaurants and the campground and focused their efforts on the Houlton location and formed Statewide Caterers. During the next 25 years they catered to banquets, weddings and other functions from Kittery to Fort Kent. Their motto was, “Catering for 1 person to 5,000.” All of their food was homemade and with their children working by their side and the help of many very dedicated employees, the result was a very successful family business. When not in the kitchen or catering, Albro enjoyed trips to the horse track and visiting his camp, “Almaneke” located at Harvey Siding, where he liked to catch trout and play 63 with family and friends. After 45 years of serving food they retired in 1986 and enjoyed many winters at Daytona Beach, Fla. Albro has been a member of Kora Temple, Lewiston, for nearly 70 years. He was a member of Houlton Rotary Club, Houlton Jaycees and chamber of commerce.
In addition to his loving wife, Marion, he leaves daughter, Mary Cowperthwaite; and three sons and their wives, Kevin and Janet (Small), Neil and Pamela (Stuber) and Albro Jr. and Linda (Reardon). Albro has eight grandchildren who affectionately call him “Grampy Donut,” due to his famous glazed donuts. They are Ellen, Kim, Martha, Jonathan, Catherine, Anne, Jennie and Jacob. He also has 10 great-grandchildren, Lauren, Courtney, Kate, Elizabeth, Jack, Sylvia, Max, Quinn, Brody and Brennan. He was predeceased by brother, Bernard Cowperthwaite; and sister, Ethelyn Cowperthwaite. The family thanks Dr. Abolish and the wonderful staff at Houlton Regional Hospital for the care and support given to Albro and family.
Per his wishes, there will be no memorial service. The family will have a private graveside service at a later date. He requested that donations be given in his memory to the Shriner’s Children Hospital or any charity of your choice, care of Dunn Funeral Home, 11 Park St., Houlton, ME 04730. For online condolences and guest book, please visit
www.dunnfuneral.com.