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The congregation of Wayman A.M.E. Church mourned the death and celebrated the life one of its most respected members Thursday, July 17.

Cancer finally stole the life of Alfred (Al) Holbrook, a giant of a man in stature and in his faith. "Big Al" graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1959 and served in the United States Navy aboard the USS Aucilla. He retired from the City of Dayton as an Airport Rescue Fireman after 28 years and was a member of the Ohio Police and Fire Retirees Association.

But to really know Al Holbrook, you had to dig deeper.

He was a talented singer, musician, servant of the church, choir member, Cleveland Browns apologist and a dedicated jazz fan. He's the fireman who tended to my wife when she took a tumble at Dayton Airport. Al's son, Aaron Holbrook, is the gifted saxophonist and composer on the fast track to stardom in New York jazz circles.

So, I was deeply moved when Aaron Holbrook called me from New York and asked me to accompany him at his dad's funeral.

I've played my share of funerals. I've played funerals for family members and funerals where I didn't know the deceased and the only pain I felt was the thought I might not get paid.

But this was different.

This was a friend who never missed any of my gigs, no matter where they were. This was the father of the son who parlayed a stint in Serious Young Musicians into a full ride at Julliard. And this was the father of the son who respected me enough to want me at his side at his dad's send-off.

So, with a massive knot in my throat — assisted by bassist Ed Brookshire and drummer Derrick Turner — we played the tune Al had requested that Aaron play at his funeral.

Fittingly, it was Horace Silver's "Song For My Father."

Writer's Block is an occasional guest column from Dayton Daily News writers and members of the community. Contact staff writer Khalid Moss at (937) 225-2167 or kmoss@DaytonDailyNews.com.