Albert McChesney Bliss (“Al”) passed peacefully at home with his wife, family members and pastor on January 10, 2022. Al had spent several years battling numerous health challenges including heart attacks, strokes, kidney failure, cancer, falls and broken bones. He battled valiantly until the end.
Al was born November 14, 1933, in Villa Park, Illinois to Clinton Farley Bliss and Evelyn (Craig) Bliss.
He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Lynda “Lyn” (Williams) Bliss, son Gary William Bliss and his wife Gabriele; daughter Elizabeth Ann Bliss; granddaughters Bridgette, Ashley and Danielle Bliss; great granddaughter Raziel Miller and brother-in-law Roy Blodgett. Al was preceded in death by his parents, stepmother Polly (White) Bliss, first wife JoAnn (Carroll) Bliss, four siblings, three stepsiblings and their spouses.
Al retired from the U. S. Navy in 1974, having served during the Korean Conflict and Viet Nam War. He was commissioned as an officer in 1966. He served aboard the USS Maddox (DD731), the USS O’Brien (DD725), the USS Hardhead (SS-365), and was a plank owner of the USS Dace (SSN-607). Al was stationed and taught nuclear reactor theory and nuclear reactor mechanics at the Naval Nuclear Training Facility in Idaho Falls, Idaho. The last eight years of his Naval career, he served at Pearl Harbor (Hawaii) and Puget Sound (Bremerton, Washington) Naval Shipyards with the Naval Nuclear Reactors Office, reporting directly to Admiral Hyman Rickover.
After retiring from the service, he worked for Morrison Knudsen as a project manager, retiring in Greenville after almost 20 years with the company. He then consulted for Natkin and Co., Anderson, Indiana closing out contracts for several years.
Al belonged to Greenville Elks Lodge 1139 where he was a Past Exalted Ruler. He was also a member of the U.S. Submarine Veterans Cincinnati Base, the American Legion Erk Cottrell Post 140 and lifetime member of VFW Post 7262. Al was honored by being initiated into the Holland Club – where those who “Qualified in Submarines” fifty or more years previously are honored with membership. He was also a founding member and served as president of the Senior Scribes Scholarship Fund. He was one of the founding members and President of the Darke County Tea Patriots.
During his life, Al enjoyed sailing, skiing, golfing, games of all types and working on his computer.
The family will receive guests from 2:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. on Monday, January 17, 2022, at Tribute Funeral Home, 1000 North Broadway, Greenville, Ohio 45331. A celebration of Al’s life will follow at 4:00 p.m. at the funeral home with Pastor Hershel Fee officiating.
Internment, with full military honors, will take place at 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, January 18, 2022, at the Dayton National Cemetery, 4400 West 3rd Street, Dayton, Ohio.
Memorial contributions may be given to the Community Christmas Dinner Fund, 1000 North Broadway Street, Greenville, Ohio 45331.
Online condolences may be shared with the family by visiting www.tributefuneralhomes.com