Albert Sackin

Albert “Al” Sackin, 93, of Tamarac, Fla., died June 7, 2015. He was born in Newark and moved with his family to West Orange in 1930 before moving back to Newark in 1940. He resided in West Orange from 1950 to 1961 and in Livingston from 1963 through 1977. He lived in Hallandale, Fla., from 1980 to 1988, when he moved to Tamarac.

He graduated from West Orange High School in 1939 and attended evening classes at Rutgers University. 

Mr. Sackin first worked in his family’s candy store. He was later employed by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service as a Field Agent in the Audit Division of the Newark District Office. He retired from the IRS in 1971 and went into private accounting in New Jersey and, subsequently, Hallandale and Tamarac.

During World War II, he served over three years as a medic with the 307th Infantry Medical Detachment of the prestigious 77th Infantry (Statue of Liberty Division), gaining the rank of Technician Fifth Grade (Sergeant). In that period he was awarded many medals and awards, including a Combat Medic Badge, Purple Heart, both U.S. Army and Philippine Army Presidential Unit Citations, Philippine Liberation Medal, Asia-Pacific Campaign Medal (3 Stars), Victory Medal, American Campaign Medal, American Victory Service Award, and Good Conduct Medal. The Army also awarded him a Bronze Star “V” (for valor or heroic achievement) with Oak Leaf Cluster for saving the lives of several of his comrades during the war. 

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The following paragraph is the Army’s citation of his heroism: “Technician Fifth Grade, ALBERT SACKIN, (then Private First Class), Medical Department, Army of the United States. For heroic achievement in connection with military operations against the enemy near Iegusugu Yama, Ie Shima, R. I. , 18 April 1945. When an enemy mortar concentration fell on his company’s position, Technician SACKIN, company aid man, advanced beyond the front lines despite the danger. He crossed an open field under heavy small arms and mortar fire to give aid to and evacuate a severely wounded soldier. During the ensuing hours of battle, Technician SACKIN administered first aid to all the wounded men of his company. Learning that litter bearers were not available, he placed ten of the seriously wounded under cover until he was able to secure three tanks to take them to the aid station all while being wounded himself. By his courage, initiative and devotion to duty Technician SACKIN saved the lives of several of his comrades and was an inspiration to the men of the company.”

He was a member of Temple Beth Shalom in Livingston, where for many years he served as a member of the Religious Committee. In Hallandale, he was a member of the Hallandale Jewish Center; and as a resident of the Golden Horn South Condo Association served as an advisory committee member on the board of directors. At the Lakes of Carriage Hills in Tamarac, he was a member of the Budget and Finance Committee. While in Tamarac, he was a member of Congregation Beth Torah and following its subsequent merger, Congregation Beth Hillel of Margate.

Predeceased by a sister, Enid Levitz, he is survived by his wife of 68 years, Audrey (Gerendasy); three daughters, Judy (Jerry) Liebes, Rhony Alston, and Phyllis (Cy) Mackinney; a sister, Helen Master of San Diego; six grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

Services were held June 10 with arrangements by Levitt-Weinstein Memorial Chapel, Tamarac.