Al Sebestyen

Al was born Attila Sebestyen in a refugee camp in Sarajevo Yugoslavia on June 23, 1957. His parents, John and Anna Sebestyen, along with his sister Anna and brother John were fleeing the communist regime when the Soviet Union invaded their homeland Hungary in 1956. The family made their way to America being sponsored by an uncle in San Deigo, CA. After 2 years in California, they made their way to Cleveland OH where they laid down their roots and were one of the founders of the Hungarian Bethany Baptist Church. The family proudly became American citizens and became fluent in both Hungarian and English. Al's family instilled in him his love of America yet still maintaining his pride of being of Hungarian heritage. They also instilled in him his love of music and the importance of hard work. But most of all, they showed him the love of God. Growing up in Cleveland, Al had a family of friends that God put in his path that remain his friends to this day.

Al joined the Army and was stationed at Ft Dix, NJ becoming a mechanic for military vehicles, wheeled and tracked, before being sent to Germany where he maintained the Army's vehicles. He finished his duty to the service at Ft. Jackson, SC. He continued with what he learned in the Army becoming a top-rated ASE Certified mechanic for 45 years. He also received his Pipe and Plate Welder's Certification from the Phoenix School of Welding.

Al moved to Colorado in 1982. He was on his way to California and planned to stay in Colorado for 2 weeks to visit some friends who moved here from Cleveland. He became so in love with Colorado that he never left. This is where he met his enormous Colorado family of friends once again being completely blessed by the people that God placed in his life. Al loved people so much and people loved Al. He was so full of life and loved to tell stories about the parties he and his family of friends in Ohio started called the Stroh-a-Party. It was a time of fellowship with the people he knew and loved. They loved Stroh beer, music, cars, family. friends and the freedoms found only in America. He continued this tradition here in Colorado where every Memorial weekend, he and his friends would throw the Annual Stroh-a-Party. In Colorado it started with 6 people and has grown to well over 100. Keeping with the tradition of OH, it is a great week had by all with camping, fishing, music, drinking, eating and comradery. It has been carried on by everyone's kids and the kid's kids. It is now in it's third generation here in Colorado. If you knew Al, you've been to a Stroh's Party. Strohvia Al.

For the last 35 years of Al's life, he has built an awesome family of his own. He met his wife Julie at a party in July of 1987. They were introduced by his roommate Lynn who happened to be Julie's best friend. Al and Julie have been together ever since. They were blessed with their first child, Jesse in 1989 and then blessed a second and third time in 1993 with the birth of their twins, Dylan and Hannah. He was such a proud dad who loved his children immensely and would lay down his life for them. He also loved his grandchildren, Jesse's children Samantha and Trevor and Hannah's son Cyris. While Dylan has not blessed us with grandchildren yet, Al was so proud of him for always following his dreams and working his way up the ladder to do what he truly loves which is creating beautiful, delicious food. Al always knew that Dylan would become a remarkable chef.

Al also followed his own dreams. He too was passionate about cooking and always improved on his latest recipes. He will be remembered as a remarkable husband, father and grandfather. He will be remembered as a true, loyal and unselfish friend. He will be remembered as an excellent mechanic. He will be remembered as a God gifted drummer in bands going all the way back to his Ohio days to his most recent gigs including being a founder/member of Big Game where he earned the nickname Rock and the band before that, The Watchman. He will be remembered as a true Patriot to the USA, the best country in the world. He will be remembered for his passion for Freedom and the Veterans that fought and died to ensure us the Freedoms and Rights of our Constitution. He will be remembered for his love for fishing and hunting and camping and monthly poker parties and for his thirst for knowledge in everything he wanted to do and become. Attila/Al/H/BigAl/Rock, you will be remembered and sorely missed by all that knew you.

Al certainly didn't live his whole life as a saint by any means. Like all of us, he spent his life as a work in progress; learning, stumbling, falling, not always on the straight and narrow path. But he always tried to learn from his mistakes and applied these lessons to his life moving forward. Which is why his final legacy will be: God Family Country.

Go fishing now Al. You've earned it.

Al was preceded in death by his father John, his mother Anna, his sister Anna Juras and numerous friends. He is survived by his loving wife and soulmate Julie, his brother John (Ildiko) his brother-in-law Paul, his son Jesse, his son Dylan, his daughter Hannah (Jeremy), granddaughter Samantha, grandsons Trevor and Cyris, numerous nephews and nieces and great nephews and nieces.

Al joined God's army on January 7, 2023. On March 17, 2023, Al will receive full military honors at Ft Logan National Cemetary, 3698 S. Sheridan Blvd. Denver, CO 80235 promptly at 11:15am. Please meet at Staging Area "C" by 11:00am on March 17, 2023. A Celebration of Life ceremony and fellowship will follow at Newcomer West Metro Chapel, 901 S Sheridan Blvd, Lakewood CO 80226 beginning at 12:15pm until approximately 2:00-3:00pm

To share a memory of Al or leave a message of condolence for his family, visit the guestbook below.


Al's service will be livestreamed at the scheduled time. Click Here to view the service.