August Laber

On August 11th, 2022, August “Augie” Anthony Laber, “flew away” to heaven in the morning. He was 92 years old (although in his mind he was 100). He developed vascular dementia and suffered a significant stroke on August 6th, transported to UMMC and then to Hospice of Chesapeake in Pasadena where he received loving care from staff and family. 

Born in 1930 in Baltimore City, he grew up on West Pratt Street. His parents, August and Theodora (Dora) immigrated from Germany in the early 1900’s. He was the youngest of nine children and was predeceased by siblings: Paul, Reinhold, Hedwig, Ferdinand, Frank, Mary, Joseph and Louisa. He was called “Junior” by his mother. 

He completed eight years of Catholic school before joining the Laber Family painting business where their work can be seen on the ceiling and walls of St. Alphonsus Catholic Church in Baltimore. He was a Sergeant in the US Army in 1949 stationed at Camp Hood in Texas then transferred to the Army Reserve from 1950-1954. He later worked for BG&E as a painter, steel worker, tool shop operator, and at the Calvert Cliffs nuclear power plant in the 1970’s before retiring in 1982.

In his younger days, he was an altar boy at Fourteen Holy Martyrs in Baltimore and a cantor and lecturer at St. Jane Frances in Pasadena.  He was an amateur photographer and videographer and developed pictures in his home darkroom.  He had a love of history and music especially German and banjo bluegrass gospel. He enjoyed volunteering at BWMC in the PACU where he provided the staff with the best coffee and candy. He loved spending time at the cabin in West Virginia which to him, was “almost heaven”. As his health declined, his favorite pastime was sitting on the couch watching the neighborhood with his binoculars and singing German songs with his cousin Otto in Germany via FaceTime. He was a magnificent storyteller. 

He is survived by his devoted wife, Mary Laber; his son and daughter in law Paul and Tracey Laber of Pasadena, MD; his daughter and son in law Maria and Joseph Carr of Westminster, MD; his grandchildren Grace and Daniel Carr and his beloved fur grandbaby, Winnie. 

Family will receive visitors at Gonce's Funeral Home in Pasadena, MD on Sunday, August 14th from 3pm to 5pm and 7pm to 9pm. A celebration of life Mass will be held on Monday, August 15th at 10 AM at Our Lady of The Chesapeake Catholic Church in Pasadena, MD. Interment will be private at Holy Redeemer Cemetery in Baltimore, MD on August 16th.

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