Eric Albano

MARION, VIRGINIA: Sunday morning, November 1, 2009, God called up Eric Scott Albano to play on His "All Heart" team and Eric answered the call. He left behind his mother and father, Patricia S. and J. Michael Albano, his two sisters, Courtney Albano Keheley and Nicole F. Albano, his nephew and niece, Aiden M. and Sophia N. Keheley and their father, Jeffery A. Keheley. His grandparents, William G. and Phyllis A. Scott and Frieda A. Albano, too were left never to again see him play or coach in his earthly body. However, his fraternal grandfather, James Micheal Albano, Sr., will now be able to cheer from the heavenly sidelines! Several aunts, uncles and cousins also survive. Eric was only 35 when this call came, but he is well prepared to accept this challenge. An avid athlete, he enjoyed many sports and was a VT Hokie, but his passion was soccer. He played all four years in high school then two years for the Eastern Nazarene Crusades in Quincy, Massachusetts and learned much from his Irish coach, Phillip Nieland. He then served as the Marion assistant and then head soccer coach for 11 years. In order to continue his lifelong commitment of giving to others, Eric became a tissue donor. But, can he play on God's team? Scott Peck defined love as "The will to extend one's self for the purpose of nurturing one's own or another's spiritual growth." All who knew him agree, Coach Bano not only had the will to make others better people; he lived. Funeral Services will be held Wednesday, November 4, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church, Marion, Virginia with Reverend Jonathan Jonas and Dr. Steve Scott officiating. Burial will follow in Rose Lawn Cemetery, Marion, Virginia. The family will receive friends Tuesday evening from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. at Seaver-Brown Chapel. Pallbearers will be Bryan Vernon, Matt Anderson, Todd Albano, Matt Ring, Shawn Ring, Brian Walker and Stephen Walls. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Eric Albano Memorial Soccer Fund, c/o Seaver-Brown Funeral Service, P.O. Box 427, Marion, Virginia 24354. Expressions of sympathy may be made to the family at www.seaverbrown.com. Seaver-Brown Funeral Service and Crematory is serving the Albano Family.