AUGUSTA – Rockne J. Albert, 60, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, January 20, 2022, in Augusta, Maine. He was born on July 18, 1961, in Gardiner, the son of the late Kenneth and Velma (Branscombe) Albert and the eighth of nine children. He attended schools in Pittston and Gardiner and graduated from Gardiner Area High School in 1979.Rocky entered the Marine Corp immediately following graduation. He was a radio operator and went on missions to several African countries before spending the majority of his service at the Marine Corps Air Station in Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii. A highlight for him was playing football for their team. He was Honorably Discharged in April 1983.Over the years, Rocky worked for building contractors; was a self-employed handyman with a special interest in wood working; and, lastly, with a veteran’s work program at the VA Maine Healthcare System, Togus. All season fishing was a favorite pastime. He especially loved a good barbecue with family and friends; playing cribbage; and cooking from his collection of cookbooks. Rocky would stop and strike up a conversation with anyone. We teased him and said he just liked to hear himself talk. He certainly had his struggles but was a truly engaging, kind and caring man. Rocky is predeceased by his parents and daughter, Tiffany Albert. He is survived by daughter, Ashlee Kimball of West Gardiner; son, Joshua Albert of Austin, Texas; son, Taylor Stuart of Galway, Ireland; three grandchildren, Keegan Kimball, Frankie Margaret Stuart, and Alfie Stuart; and partner, Charlotte LaPointe of Chelsea. He is also survived by his siblings Mary Pillsbury of West Gardiner; Ken (Carolyn) of Pittston; Dawn (Jerry) Millette of Pittston; Linda (Denny) Foster of Gardiner; David (Carol) of Pittston; Danny (Cindy Thomas) of Chelsea; Lori (Rick) Hafner of Auburn; Tom (Dana) of Standish; and step siblings Teddy Morin of North Whitefield; Hershel Albert of Clearwater; Camilla (John) McKinney of Cape Elizabeth; and Julia (Rick) Peron of Topsham; ex-wife, Joni Albert of Michigan and Florida; his mother’s brother and sister, Uncle Jack Branscombe (Jayne) of Bangor and Aunt Phyllis Greenlaw of Oakfield; special friend, Tina Albert of Brunswick; many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends from near and far. Visitation will be on Thursday, January 27, 2022, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Staples Funeral Home in Gardiner. A mass of Christian burial will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday, January 28th at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Gardiner, to be followed by a summer burial at the Veterans’ Cemetery in Augusta. Arrangements are entrusted with Staples Funeral Home and Cremation Care, 53 Brunswick Avenue, Gardiner, Maine. Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared with the family on the obituary page of the Staples Funeral Home website: http://www.familyfirstfuneralhomes.com.For those who wish to contribute, memorial donations are encouraged to Alcoholics Anonymous, Portland Central Office, 47 Portland St., Portland, Maine 04101; or a favorite charityof your choice.