Back in 2021, two funds were established at the Albion Community Foundation that have impacted key assets in the City of Albion focusing on parks, recreation, children, and families. Tony and Christie de Nicola started the Beth and John Saurer Fund, in honor of Christie’s parents, and the Carol and Guy de Nicola Fund, in honor of Tony’s parents. One of the largest projects to date from these funds was the McIntosh Park Activities Complex.
This past March, Albion community leaders, the de Nicola, and Saurer families came together to celebrate the plaque dedication of the McIntosh Park! In honor of Beth and John Saurer, and Carol and Guy de Nicola, the addition of the plaque was the perfect wrap up on the beautiful complex.
About Beth and John Saurer
Beth and John Saurer relocated to Albion in 1959, one year after graduating from Western Michigan University, so John could begin his career in sales at Albion-Malleable. The couple were both raised in Charlotte, MI, and graduated from Charlotte High School. John passed in May 2024, and was the eldest son of Marjorie and Reuben Saurer, who had two other sons (Robert and Dick). Beth is the daughter of Hazel and Art Kays, who had three other children (Ellen, Paul and Morey). During the over 35 years that they lived in Albion, the Saurers raised their three children (Cindy, Craig and Christie) in the city and were engaged in numerous community organizations. In particular, the family were devout members of First Presbyterian Church, the Wildcat Booster Club, the Chamber of Commerce, the local Rotary Club, Hospital Auxiliary, Albion Parent-Teacher Association, Ladies Bridge Club, community theater, and the Albion Investment Club. While John pursued his successful sales career, including as Head of North American Sales for Galtaco Inc., Beth was a full-time homemaker, and she also had a part-time career as a model for Jacobson’s. After retiring, John and Beth relocated to Florida full time in 2002, where Beth currently reside.
About Carol and Guy de Nicola
Carol de Nicola has been a resident of Albion since her wedding to Guy in 1963. Carol was born and raised in Jackson, the only daughter of Rocco and Rose Comperchio, who also had four sons (Samuel, Henry, Joseph, and Andrew). Carol graduated from St. Mary’s High School and worked at Mercy Hospital in Jackson, prior to her wedding, when she relocated to Guy’s family home in Albion. Carol and Guy raised five children in Albion (Tony, Beth, Karen, Matt and Pam). After Guy’s tragic early death in 1975, Carol became a single-working mother, and she began a long career at the Albion Police Department, serving first as a Dispatch Officer, and ultimately spending almost 30 years as the secretary to the chief of police. Carol is a parishioner of St. John’s Catholic Church, where she has served on numerous committees and ministries, and she has been involved in numerous organizations in Albion over the past 50 years.
Guy de Nicola was born and raised in Albion, graduating from Albion High School. He was the son of Carmine and Carmela de Nicola, who were both born in Pietragalla, Italy. Carmine emigrated to the United States in 1907 to work on the Michigan Central Railroad as a laborer, constructing the track and the train station that runs through Albion. He brought Carmela to Albion several years later, where they settled to raise their six children (Mary, Rose, Joseph, Michael, Antoinette, and Guy). After Guy graduated from Albion High, he was employed at Albion-Malleable, and then Albion College in the maintenance department. At the time of his death, he was a parishioner of St. John’s Church and a founding member of the local Knights of Columbus council.
The Albion Community Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community foundation dedicated to strengthening the greater Albion area by cultivating community assets to enhance our quality of life. For information on contributing to any grant fund or establishing your own fund at the Foundation, please contact Shane Williamson or Denise Porter at 517-629-3349 or at foundation@albionfoundation.org.