Albert Coury, Jr., 89

ADAMS, Mass. —

Albert Coury, Jr. passed away peacefully on May 29th, 2024 at his summer home in Adams, MA surrounded by his loving family at the age of 89. He was also a resident of Lake Worth, Florida for many years. He was born on April 11th, 1935 in Adams, a son of the late Albert & Josephine (Thomas) Coury. His beloved wife of 66 years, Barbara (Todt) Coury, passed away on June 6th. He is survived by his children, Curtis Coury and his wife Liza of Adams, MA and Caroline Ghidotti and her husband David of North Adams, MA; grandchildren Jacob Coury of North Adams, Cori Ghidotti of Boulder, CO and Colby Ghidotti of Boulder, CO; great grandchildren Alexis Gamari and Aiyanna Gamari of North Adams, MA., his loving brother and sister-in-law Joseph and Mary Coury of Cheshire, MA; and several cousins, nieces, nephews and dear friends all over the country. He was predeceased by a granddaughter, Jessica Coury on Sept. 1, 2012; by his siblings- brothers John “Fred” Coury and Karey Coury, and sister Lila Coury. Albert attended schools in North Adams, MA and graduated from Drury High School with the Class of 1953. Albert played percussion/drums all four years in the high school band and was the Drury Band President. He participated in the senior class play, played Intramural basketball, was a student government representative, and homeroom president. Al was on the Drury High School Reunion Committee as a coordinator and master of ceremonies of their class reunions for several years. He looked forward to reuniting with all his classmates and friends and eagerly initiated and executed the planning of many class reunions. During high school, Al had a group of very close-knit friends who did everything together (Al, John Totino, Dominic Papas, Colby Marceau, Pat Montesanti, & Pete Mancuso). Al’s nickname was “Abdu” and their friend group was quickly named “Abdu and The Five Thieves”. These six friends were like brothers and remained thick as thieves their entire lives. As they all married, the couples would continue to get together on weekends to play cards, throw parties, travel, and ultimately bring up their families together even though some moved away to other areas of the country. Distance couldn’t separate their friendship and families. And to this day, their families and children remain as close as the parents did from back in high school. Al was a member of the National Guard while in his twenties, serving as staff sergeant at Camp Drum in New York. He loved to tell stories of his time with the National Guard and was proud to serve our country for a number of years. Al had a very tight relationship with his father, Albert Sr, who came over from Lebanon with aspirations to be a self-made businessman. Al, who also had a keen sense of business, looked up to his father with great pride. They had an original thought to build a racetrack on their Curran Highway property in North Adams, adjacent to their homestead. However, the zoning board at the time was not too fond of this idea. Together with his father, they decided to build a drive-in theater, which the zoning board approved. They established the largest curved and tilted screen in the area. On June 15th, 1956 Al and his father opened Coury’s Drive-In Theater in North Adams, MA. The attendance was so popular during the early years that they hired police officers to direct the traffic. Cars by the dozens would show up early to get a spot, as many weekends they had to turn cars away for being at full capacity. This success was largely due to an entire generation growing up around drive-ins and spending their weekends as a family, or date nights, seeing the latest movies under the stars. Six years later, in 1961, they purchased the Hoosac Drive-In Theater, in Adams, MA, their main competitor at the time. Al was determined to open the drive-ins as early in the spring as possible, despite the cold nights and possible frost! His favorite saying was “The show must go on!” Al and his wife Barbara, whom he married on February 15, 1958, were tremendous partners working together for 36 years running both drive-ins. They always had several family members involved in the operations at both drive-ins every night, as it was vital to Al and Barbara to provide a family-friendly atmosphere. Their children, Curtis and Caroline, both grew up working at their family businesses, as well as many other family members and close friends. Their drive-ins created wonderful memories for endless numbers of people and families in the community. However, if you stole a speaker or snuck into the drive-in and got caught…then, watch out for the wrath of Al Coury! Many years after the closing of both drive-ins, several people would share the great memories they had at the Coury’s and Hoosac Drive-In’s and how they were a significant part of their childhood. The end of the drive-in era occurred when they sold the Hoosac Drive-In in October 1989, and then the Coury’s Drive-In in September 1992. In addition to the Drive-In businesses, Al was a true entrepreneur at heart. During the winter months when the Drive-Ins were closed, he sold Christmas trees for many years on Curran Highway to supplement their income. Barbara would make Christmas wreaths to sell from the trimmings that Al took off the trees. He also built a bus garage for the Bonanza Bus Lines, a building to house a physical therapy office, as well as other small business projects he created. He and Barbara purchased apartment rental properties in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida and owned and operated the Ashland Street Coin-Op Laundromat in North Adams, MA. Al was a devoted community member in his town of Adams. He was a volunteer member of the Adams Finance Committee for 21 years, serving as President of the Finance Committee for 13 years, following his dear friend and mentor, Cas Urbanek. Al received a special recognition from the State offices for having one of the most complete and concise financial reports for the year, for any town in Massachusetts. Al always said it wasn’t due to only him, that he had a lot of intelligent members on the finance committee that knew what they were doing and contributed a great deal to its success. Al thoroughly enjoyed the many years he spent on the Adams Finance Committee. Al was a 59-year member of the Adams Lions Club, since 1965 until his passing. In 2000, Al and George Haddad, selectman for the Town of Adams, presented to the board of Selectmen their idea for “Movies Under The Stars”, a free community film event on Friday nights on the lawn of the Town Hall. With the help of other community members and a formed committee, in August of 2000, the lawn opened for the first showing, and its success ran for many years to follow.

Al’s love of music started when he was a teenager and continued his entire life. He was a collector of jazz music albums, and always had jazz music playing while in his house and car. He and Barbara would attend any jazz concert they could find in The Berkshires or Florida. Their love of music brought them to volunteer together as ushers at Tanglewood Music Center for 15 years. This was the highlight of their summers, as they felt as though Tanglewood was the gem in The Berkshires during the summers. If they weren’t volunteering on a particular day or evening, they’d attend every Boston Pops or jazz concert they could at Tanglewood. Al worked the box seat section and Barbara worked the front seat sections. They always raved they had the best volunteering jobs in the world!

Al was a long-time devoted member of the First Congregational Church in Adams, MA. He served on several committees within the church including his many years on the Prudential Committee and as a Deacon, as an usher and serving communion. Al was always willing to lend an extra hand at church, working outside on the grounds and trimming bushes. His faith was strong and he loved going to church with Barbara and his children. He very much enjoyed attending concerts at their churches in Florida during the winter months with their friends. Al and Barbara resided in Florida and had wonderful friends and neighbors. They both looked forward to visits from their children, grandchildren, and friends, sharing special holidays and anniversaries together with everyone. They were the most gracious host and hostess, opening their homes and a seat at their table for delicious food, spirits, and good conversation. They spent much of their time enjoying the Bellaggio Community and were members of the Italian Club, Jewish Heritage Club, Gourmet Cooking Club, Art Club, Poker Club, Winter Residents Club, and attended many concerts and shows at Kravis Performing Arts Center and the Bellaggio Clubhouse. They loved going to the clubhouse for dances and performances together while having endless fun with their Bellaggio friends. They also regularly attended Middle Eastern Studies at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton and Jupiter for Lifelong Learning classes. Al loved learning about his Lebanese heritage and the current events happening in the Middle East. Al and Barb took many trips to Las Vegas together to see marvelous shows, and to get in a few exciting rounds at the casino. They created wonderful memories with their dear friends traveling the world together. Al took great pride in his homes, properties, and landscaping. He was a true perfectionist and loved to do any type of yardwork imaginable. He could spend hours at his work bench tinkering around and fixing anything that he thought was worth keeping! Al never took a penny for granted. He knew the value of a dollar and the meaning of saving for the future. He enjoyed learning about investing and read as much as he could to teach himself the best ways to invest. Years ago, Al and two of his buddies created a stock club called the CLG Club (Coury, LaFrance, & Grandchamp). Al had a deep desire to continue learning about finance.

Al was the Patriarch of the family and he loved the family he and Barbara created together. Al would say “I’m nothing without Barbara” and would continually tell people how many years they were married. He was an extremely proud “Gidu” and would happily brag about his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren any chance he could get. He attended many functions and sporting events and was the loudest clapper in the crowd. He was a firm believer in the value of a college education and deeply encouraged them to keep pursuing their dreams and work hard every day. Al was a wonderful friend to many, always keeping in touch with his friends, and was there for all of them in sickness and in health. Al’s soft heart, generosity, devotion to his family, friends, church, and community will be greatly missed. As the last words read on the marquee of the Coury’s Drive-In, “Thanks for the memories”, Al.

The family of Al and Barbara would like to wholeheartedly thank the caregivers of PPC (Personal Private Care) Agency and Hospice for the love, devotion, dignity, and wonderful care they gave daily to Barbara & Al during their illnesses. We will be forever grateful for each and every one of you. Funeral services for Al and Barbara will be held on Friday, July 26th at 12 Noon in the First Congregational Church, 42 Park St. Adams, MA. Burial will follow in Bellevue Cemetery, Adams. Calling hours will be held on Friday, July 26th from 10:30 AM until 11:45 AM, directly before the funeral service, IN THE CHURCH. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are welcome to be made to The First Congregational Church, 42 Park St. Adams, MA 01220, or to The Adams Lions Club, PO Box 23, Adams, MA 01220. The PACIOREK FUNERAL HOME, Adams, is in charge of arrangements. To leave a message of condolence, or for directions, please go online to www.paciorekfuneral.com

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