He looks dapper despite his incredible 100 years, as Albert Winkler was able to celebrate this honorary birthday at the beginning of May. His shirt in Bavarian traditional style indicates his origin, as does his Bavarian dialect, which he has not been able to shake off even after so many years in the Saarland. Originally, the spry senior is from Pfarrkirchen in Lower Bavaria, but he moved to St. Ingbert with his wife Marliese back in 1954. That the native St. Ingbert resident and the Lower Bavarian got to know each other was—like so often—a pure coincidence. Marliese’s family was evacuated during the final years of the war and found accommodation in the Winkler family’s house in Pfarrkirchen. When Albert Winkler’s older brother moved out of the parental home, Albert wanted to move into the small apartment so that the housing office could not confiscate the rooms. But for that, he had to be married. And since he liked Marliese anyway, he proposed to her, and so they got married in 1946. This marriage, born more or less out of necessity, lasted an incredible 72 years, and Albert Winkler looks back happily: “I had a loving wife who could cook and bake very well. There were good times and difficult times, but together we managed everything.”
The decision to move back to the Saarland in 1954 with their two children was made together. The driving factors were the booming industry in the Saarland and the prospect of a new career. As a trained carpenter and craftsman with passion, office work was out of the question for him. So he learned the profession of telecommunications technician at the post office and helped build the mighty wooden poles. He especially enjoyed climbing the poles with crampons on his feet and working at dizzying heights: "It may be that my knees hurt because of that. But they’re allowed to, after all, they’re just as old as I am."
He was popular among his colleagues, as the Bavarian was always up for a joke. "I have enjoyed working all my life. When there were disputes, I always tried to resolve everything peacefully. That was important to me in life," Albert Winkler summarizes. He is also grateful that during the war years he never had to pick up a rifle, as he was an important worker in the telecommunications service far from the front lines.
Congratulations from the Minister-President, the District Administrator, the Lord Mayor, and the Local Head
In addition to the numerous congratulators from the family and circle of friends, local mayor Irene Kaiser also conveyed the warmest congratulations from Mayor Dr. Ulli Meyer: “Dear Mr. Winkler, on behalf of the mayor, I warmly congratulate you and wish you a few more wonderful years in good health. Above all, keep your sense of humor and your Bavarian zest for life.” Prime Minister Anke Rehlinger congratulated him with a gift from Villeroy & Boch, District Administrator Dr. Theophil Gallo gave a monetary gift, and the city of St. Ingbert presented a large biosphere box. Afterwards, Irene Kaiser read out the respective congratulatory letters, which Albert Winkler listened to attentively. He thanked everyone sincerely for the many gifts and good wishes.
The centenarian has been living in the Fidelis House for two and a half years and feels very comfortable there. "I am well cared for and have everything I need," he says happily. "I talk to my daughter on the phone every morning and evening; she also visits me regularly here. My three grandchildren and five great-grandchildren bring me special joy."
During the conversation, he waves to an elderly lady with a walker who is on her way to the dining hall. "Albert is a great man," she calls out to us, while he smiles slyly and introduces the lady as his table neighbor. "I'll pull myself together so that you'll come to visit me again on my birthday next year," he smiles and, like a true gentleman of the old school, stands up to say goodbye.
