Merritt’s close-knit community of stock car racers and fans has lost one of its first-class citizens with the sudden passing of Albert Kosolofski on July 19.

Albert was born on November 5, 1951 in Humboldt, Saskatchewan — one of eight children (seven boys and one girl) — to Sol and Frances Kosolofski.

Albert’s sister Joan remembers her brother as an energetic, skinny youngster — always on the go.

“He used to get called Eggbeater by his friends,” she said. “The name stuck with him for years.”

Albert and his entire family moved to Moose Jaw, Sask. in 1964.

Albert’s love for cars started at a young age. His younger brother, Earl, fondly remembers that Albert went through no fewer than 17 vehicles during his final three years in Moose Jaw.

“He’d buy a junker, fix it up a little bit, run it until it gave up and then just buy another one.”

All but one member of the family (the oldest son, Rick) would move to Kamloops in 1970. Albert was then 19 and finished his schooling.

From 1970 to 1986, Albert worked a variety of jobs in and around the Kamloops area, much of the time for his father’s construction company.

During that time, Albert began his racing career.

“I remember he bought a rail (a small dragster) that he used to race around Kamloops and over in Salmon Arm,” said another of his brothers, Melvin.

“He would take it out on Jensen Road in Westsyde and race it, and then run it straight into my garage,” Joan said with a laugh.

In 1986, Albert decided to spread his wings and move to Merritt.

“I think he was just trying to find his own space,” said Earl.

Over the next 18 years in the Nicola Valley, Albert worked for several employers, including Brian Cave, Frank Etchart, Wayne Graham, Al MacKay and most recently John Archachan.

“He was a good, reliable worker,” said MacKay, while Cave remembered Albert as a very private person who kept pretty much to himself but was well-liked by everybody.

Albert became involved with the Merritt Stock Car Association and the Merritt Speedway in the early ’90s, first as a driver and in his final few years as the flagman on race days.

“I went down to watch him race one time,” said his brother Earl, “and there was a mechanics’ race. Albert asked me if I wanted to go in it; he’d tell them I was his mechanic. Everybody knew that was a lie.

“I went in the race and got rear-ended by the driver behind me, and mud all over my face from the car in front. I ended up coming second. Albert had a smile on his face from ear to ear from me doing that.”

Local racer Bill Fader has fond memories of his good friend.

“Albert helped me build my first stock car,” he said. “Unfortunately, we never got to race each other.

“He was a real good guy,” Fader said. “We’ll all miss him.”