Albert Bernard Tkach Jr.

Al Tkach, Jr. died October 6, 2020 at Edison Manor in New Castle, where he resided for ten years. Albert was born in Youngstown, Ohio, May 26, 1954 to Albert & Mary Mavracich Tkach who were first generation Americans. His grandparents were Slovak & Croatian.  Music always played a huge part in his life as he grew up in St. James Parish, Pulaski, PA. Each Sunday his maternal uncles would play guitars and mandolins at Grandma’s house in Youngstown, Ohio.  “Jr.” as he was called would dance around with all his cousins and his sister Mary Ann (Isaac). When Albert was 14 his father was killed in a car accident, August 10, 1968, on US 422 in Pulaski Township. His mother, Mary, an Elvis fan, bought him a guitar and a tape machine so he could record music he made with his garage band. He was a graduate of Wilmington Area High School and New Castle School of Trades. Eventually, Al copyrighted his own logo of his band, ARTIST. He holds this copyright to this day. The band started with one hit single which was played on WHOT 101FM radio. Al was proprietor of Sharky’s Down Under on McCartney Road, Youngstown, Ohio before his band, ARTIST, moved to California to seek their fortune. They played at the famous Whiskey-A-Go-Go in Los Angeles and opened for Donovan, Erik Burdon, and other well- known artists at Pappy and Harriet’s out in the high desert at Pioneertown, CA. “Hippy Al” wrote over 100 songs but only a few have been recorded. His first CD “Songs of the High Desert” is still available. His second, which he called “The Transition” will be out soon. Visit his Facebook page where pictures and video can be seen. Arrangements are private. He will be buried at Holy Rosary Cemetery in Lowellville, Ohio, next to his parents in the Tkach family plot.

Arrangements by Cremation & Funeral Service by Gary S Silvat, Inc.  Share memories or send condolences by visiting: www.crematepa.com.

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