Albert was born April 1, 1929, to Frank and Annie Hajda in Granger.

He attended SS. Cyril and Methodius Catholic School, and was a 1947 graduate of Granger High School. He proudly served in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict, enlisting in 1951 and serving as an interpreter on the Czechoslovakia/German border using his fluency of the Czech language in processing immigrants.

On May 2,1955, Albert married Marie Gola, and they built their life in Granger on the Hajda Homeplace. Together, they were grounded in their Catholic faith, service to their community, and abundant love for their five children Mark, Rosanne, Karen, Amy and Cindy, along with their big, beautiful extended families and treasured friends. Albert and Marie were married 47 years before Marie’s death in March 2002.

Albert grew up working hard on his father’s farm and always loved the land and the creativity of construction. He was a carpenter, farmer and also a teacher at Granger High School teaching building trades for one year. Thereafter, Albert established his own business building custom cabinets for numerous local home builders in the Granger and Taylor area.

Albert loved his work, and he loved those who shared and supported his trade and the customers he served. He was known for his gun cabinets, cedar chests, bookshelves, desks, doll houses and any other creative idea brought to his cabinet shop. Albert’s work was also found in commercial businesses in the area and at IBM in Austin. A highlight of his talent included building the cabinet to house Earl Campbell’s Heisman Trophy at the University of Texas for a time.

Albert was a lifelong member of SS. Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church serving as an extraordinary minister of Holy Communion, the Knights of Columbus including the role of Grand Knight, KJT, the parish school board, the KC Bingo Crew and various committees. He was also a member of the American Legion and was elected to the Granger Independent School District school board for several years.

Albert never met a stranger and was always proud of his hometown of Granger, as well as his Czech Heritage. He loved dancing with his wife, especially a waltz or a polka, sharing a good game of dominoes or Taroks and traveling with his family. But above all, Albert loved to sit and visit especially over these past years. His smile and his laugh were contagious. You could hear that positive spirit with his phone calls and messages, jokes and stories, often redundant. These visits, by phone or in person, were cherished by Albert and will be greatly missed by his family.

Albert was a resident at the S.P.J.S.T. Assisted Living in Taylor for 13 years. He so enjoyed the camaraderie he shared with several of his cousins and sisters as well as the other residents. He moved to the S.P.J.S.T. Skilled Nursing in 2022.

Albert was preceded in death by his wife, Marie Gola Hajda; son-in-law, Johnnie Joe Naizer; his parents, Frank and Annie Hajda; brothers and sisters-in-law, Tim and Edith Hajda, Rudy and Alice Hajda and Frankie Hajda; sisters and brothers-in-law, Ann and Albert Mikulencak, Raymond Naizer, and Rosie and Joe Naizer; in-laws Dan and Sybil Vanecek, Helen Manning and Margie Gola.

Albert is survived by his children, Mark and Sherry Hajda of Cypress, Rosanne Naizer, of Granger, Karen and Jay Glynn of Sugar Land, Amy and Jim McAllister of Missouri City and Cindy O’Reilly of Taylor; grandchildren, Mark David (Dee) Hajda, Christi (Billy) Robertson, Noel Naizer, Nolan Naizer, Clare (Ryan) Dunbar, John (Jennifer) Glynn, Samuel Glynn, Madison McAllister (fiancé, Kyle Van Frank), Connor McAllister, Meghan O’Reilly, Jacob O’Reilly and Zach O’Reilly; great-grandchildren, J.D. Morgan, Luke and Isabella Hajda, Emily and Blake Robertson, Austin, Charlotte and Nora Dunbar, and John Thomas (J.T.) Glynn. He is also survived by his sister, Lillian Naizer, sister-in-law, Betty Hajda; and in-laws Fred Manning, Charles Gola, Linda and Ron Naizer along with numerous and treasured nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. The family received visitors at 5 p.m. Thursday, April 4, at Providence Funeral Home in Taylor followed by a rosary at 7 p.m.

Mass of the resurrection was celebrated Friday, April 5, at 3 p.m. at SS. Cyril & Methodius Catholic Church in Granger, with the Most Reverend Bishop Michael Mulvey presiding. A viewing/ visitation was held from 1 to 2 p.m. prior to the Mass at Providence Funeral Home in Taylor.

Burial followed the Mass at New Calvary Cemetery in Granger.

Serving as pallbearers were his grandsons, Mark David Hajda, Nolan Naizer, John Glynn, Sam Glynn, Connor McAllister, Jacob O’Reilly and Zach O’Reilly.

Heartfelt thanks go out to all the staff at the S.P.J.S.T. Assisted Living and S.P.J.S.T. Skilled Nursing Center in Taylor for their support, his exceptional care and for becoming such a part of Albert’s extended family. Memorials will be accepted in Albert’s memory to SS. Cyril & Methodius Trust Fund, PO Box 608, Granger, Texas 76530 providing scholarships for those attending Catholic Schools and St. Mary’s Catholic School, 520 Washburn Street, Taylor, Texas 76574.