Albert Robert Lepi, 83, of Wakatomika passed away at 10:32 p.m. on July 5, 2006.Birth certificates were lost in a church fire so he picked his own birth date of March 7, 1923.He was the youngest of thirteen children born to Paul and Mary Valochik Lepi of Pleasant City, Ohio.Because of their poverty during the Great Depression he did not return to school after the 7th grade. He volunteered for the Navy and was in the Asiatic Fleet when Pearl Harbor was attacked. His closest friend was killed while standing by him when Japanese planes strafed their ship. He survived several ?near misses? during numerous battles at sea and committed himself to study and rapidly advanced through the ranks to become one of the youngest men to ever become commissioned as a Chief in the United States Navy.Returning home after the war he taught carpentry in the Navy Reserves. Selling all of his possessions he purchased the materials to build his mother a home. He continued building homes throughout southeastern Ohio, teaching himself all the trades he needed to know.He married the love of his life, Mary Anne (Davis) Lepi on August 18, 1956. They were married for 44 years and raised their beloved children on a small farm in Wakatomika. He instilled a phenomenal work ethic in all of his children and motivated so many colleagues through his positive, can-do attitude. He was always honest and fair in his dealings and worked himself to exhaustion to support his family. He developed LeBar Subdivision on a wing and a prayer and co-founded Lepi Enterprises in 1986.Albert was a guitarist, singer and songwriter bringing the joy of music to his family. A quiet giver, he donated his construction expertise to numerous poor families and to the Catholic Church. A man with vision and enthusiasm he will be sadly missed by all who knew him.He is survived by eight children, Dr. John (Brenda) of Nashport, James (Bobbi) of Dresden, Michael (Jodi) of Zanesville, Jeff (Christe) of Nashport, Mary Beth (Steve) Reiss of Frazeysburg, Dr. Mark (Amy) of Lancaster, Albert (Carrie) of Columbus, and Jared (Amy) of Cincinnati. He also leaves behind 20 loving grandchildren, Erin (Shane) Cox, Scott (Allison) and Ryan (Jillian) Lepi, Brodie, Kyle and Hunter Lepi, Casey and Kadi Lepi, Audra, Tyler, Luke and Hannah Lepi, Amanda, Samantha, Adam and Ben Reiss, Ethan and Sarah Lepi, and Dustin and Claire Lepi, along with four adoring great grandchildren, Cole and Coen Cox, Lilli Lepi and Hailey Lepi.He was preceded in death by his loving wife Mary Anne Lepi and one son who died at birth, Joseph Michael, along with his parents and his twelve siblings, John Baranchek, Mary Baranchek Trubitsky, Andrew Baranchek, Annie, Joe, George, Paul, Michael and Steve Lepi, Helen Lepi Phillips, Pauline Lepi Yoder and Anne Lepi Rollins.Friends may call 2-4 & 6-8PM Sunday July 9, 2006 at the Dresden Chapel of Vensil-Orr & Chute Funeral Home. A Funeral Mass will be held on Monday at 10:30AM at St. Nicholas Church with Father Steve Spisak, Mr. Lepi?s nephew, celebrant. Burial will follow in Mt. Olive Cemetery. In lieu of flowers please send donations in his name to: Genesis HealthCare Foundation for cancer services 1135 Maple Avenue, Zanesville, Ohio 43701; Bugles Across America, NFPc/o Tom Day , Founder 1824 S. Cuyler Ave. Berwyn, Illinois 60402-2052; or spend time with a child and teach them to build something. Please take a moment to reflect upon quality time spent with family and extend an act of kindness in his memory.