Alfred Clair Malins
SARASOTA - Alfred Clair Malins was born on March 24, 1934 in Alliance, Ohio. After a five-year battle with an incurable cancer, he passed away only a week away from his 90th birthday on March 18, 2024.
Al joined the US Coast guard in 1954 and served on the Cutter Westwind, an icebreaker, during his eight years of service. Because of his talent in photography, he frequently flew in a helicopter, taking pictures of different important areas.
He was one of the original sales team members at Progressive Insurance Company in Cleveland Ohio. This led to a long and successful career in insurance. He was an excellent employee and loved his job, which required a lot of “people person” salesmanship. He became a Regional Sales Manager and the staff he hired really loved him. While on a business visit to Columbus, Ohio, he met and fell in love with Beverly who had a teenage son Bradley. They were married, and in the next few years relocated to Chicago and Atlanta.
In 1988, after many years with Progressive Insurance, he made a decision to have his own independent insurance agency. This took them to Sarasota Florida where he and Beverly purchased a one-man agency. Talk about a challenge! They worked hard, hiring good people and building the business to where Al Malins Insurance earned a very good reputation in the insurance industry. After 25 wonderful years, they retired in 2013.
Over the years in his spare time, he enjoyed reading mystery novels, cheering for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and taking pictures with his beloved cameras. His wife of 50 years loved his kindness, generosity and wonderfully subtle sense of humor. He was a true gentleman. After learning of his passing, one of his acquaintances said “Al was a class act.” and so he was.
Al was predeceased by his parents, Stanley and Margaret Malins; Brother, Richard Malins; son, Jeffrey Malins; and stepson, Bradley.
He is survived by his loving wife, Beverly Malins; daughters, Debra Marrero (Victor) and Karen Reno (Steven); six grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
There will be two visitations on Wednesday, March 27, 2024 from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm and 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Robert Toale and Sons Celebration of Life Center, 7454 S Tamaimi Trail, Saraosta, FL 34231. A committal service, with military honors, will be held on Thursday, March 28, 2024 at 10:00 am at Sarasota National Cemetery, 9810 State Rd 72 in Sarasota.