Albert J. VanSchaik, Jr , age 82, of Tipp City, Ohio, passed away peacefully on Monday, December 16th, 2024, at Springmeade Nursing Center in Tipp City after a lengthy illness. Our father, Al, aka 'Big Neat Al,' was born on September 4th, 1942. He had a larger-than-life personality and made a lasting impression on everyone lucky enough to meet him. He was so quick-witted, with a downright devilish sense of humor; he loved life and was the life of the party wherever the party took him. He had the best laugh, the quirkiest sayings, the biggest smile, the funniest jokes, and above all, he wanted other people to be happy, laugh, and have fun. He was always gregarious-whether entertaining for business in New York or at the track betting on the ponies.  He was generous and caring and always ensured his loved ones were provided for, protected, and loved. He was a romantic at heart, and on his first date with his current wife 34 years ago, he had 11 roses delivered to her, told her he was the 12th one, and asked her out on a date. They were married on Valentine's Day in 1990.

Al was always highly driven towards success and started his career in the printing industry at the age of 19, working as an errand boy for McCall's Printing in Dayton, Ohio, and worked his way up, eventually working for Fawcett Publications, United Color Press managing the Scholastic account, and finishing his career at Graphic Art Service and NEC Nashville Electrographics Company, Inc. as a VP/Color Separation Specialist working the National Geographic account, as well as Redbook, Vogue, 'O' Magazine and many others. Al had a longstanding, deep love for horses and owned and operated Tryvan Stables with his third wife Cheryl for many years, breeding and racing his beloved standardbred trotters and pacers, with a couple of his most successful being CherylCherylCheryl and NoMoreCheryl's.  Our father taught us many valuable life lessons, as well as how to play poker, spades, hearts, Euchre, backgammon, and how to bet on ponies. We thank him immensely. (If our horse didn't win, he would tell us we just 'weren't holding our tongue right'). He taught us about good food and good wine. He instilled in his children the love of cooking and how to make the perfect Stoli Martini on the rocks with a twist and two olives. Most importantly, he taught us how to love each other and be good humans.

Al was preceded in death by his beloved mother, Blanche (Meyers) VanSchaik, his father, Albert J. VanSchaik, Sr., his sister Sandra (VanSchaik) Hetzel, his uncle Jerry VanSchaik, as well as his good friends Shelby Rodgers, Ronnie King, Doug Stovall and Mel Standley, and several others. He is survived by his wife, Cheryl Ann VanSchaik of Tipp City, Ohio; his children Jacquelyn Taylor (Chad), Tom VanSchaik (Leslie), Julie Bridge (John); his step-daughter Sarah Wolf (Greg Duane); his grandchildren Ryan VanSchaik, Lauren Nix, Nate Vosburgh, Alice Vosburgh, Clara VanSchaik and Moxie Duane; and by his great-grandchildren Kaylen, Carter, Avery, Aleia, Jaxon, Ellie, and Niko. We will all miss him dearly, and we know that he will still be with us in our hearts and will no doubt watch over us constantly, probably reminding us to put a hat on because, as he would say…"you ain't shit without a hat"!

In lieu of flowers, please contribute to the International Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Foundation at www.CML-Foundation.org. Arrangements have been entrusted to Frings and Bayliff Funeral Home , Tipp City.

International Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Foundation
Web: http://www.CML-Foundation.org