Allan Angel Algoso died peacefully at home in Annandale, Virginia, on November 27, 2022. He was 80 years old.
Allan was born in Los Angeles, California, on July 10, 1942. His father, Angel Arias Algoso, immigrated from the Philippines at the age of 21. His mother, Stefanola “Steffi” Gallina, was a second-generation Italian-American with a big family. He was also raised by his stepfather, Elmer “Mac” McAulay.
He graduated from Rancho Alamitos High School, Garden Grove, California, in 1960. After two years of junior college in California, he transferred to George Washington University in Washington, D.C. His Uncle Joe gave him money for a winter coat but, being a southern California kid who’d never seen snow, he spent the money on something else; he later regretted that decision.
After his first year in D.C., he spent a year back home, working as a box boy and clerk at the grocery store where Mac was a butcher. He made good enough money that he thought about staying. Mac told him to go back and finish school. In May 1965, with a degree in international relations, he was the first in his family to graduate from college.
That same month, the Army called his number. He decided instead to join the United States Marine Corps. He served in Vietnam in combat with the 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division. His military service awards include: Combat Action Ribbon; Defense Meritorious Service Medal with Gold Star; Navy Commendation with Combat “V” and Gold Star; Vietnam Service Medal with four Bronze Stars; and Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation Gallantry Cross.
After returning from Vietnam, while stationed at Naval Base San Diego in 1970, the young Marine Captain met a Navy Ensign who was unimpressed with his sports car but liked that he was a nice guy. Her name was Donna Jean Dezelske of Coleraine, Minnesota. A year later, they were married. They moved to Virginia, bought a house in the D.C. suburbs, and made it their home for the next half-century. They raised three children—Teresa, William, and David—in that house.
Allan spent the second half of his Marine career at the White House Communications Agency. He traveled the world with three different presidents. He made friends that stayed with him for decades. He would later be president of the 1600 Communications Association, and an early inductee into the White House Communications Agency Hall of Fame. He also earned a masters degree in telecommunications management.
In 1985, after 20 years in the Marine Corps, the Lieutenant Colonel was ready for his first retirement. As he moved into civilian life, he founded a technology services company and named it after his children: TWD & Associates, Inc. Donna joined as one of the first employees. Together, they built a family-friendly business that created jobs for nearly 300 people in the D.C. metro region. When they retired from the company, Allan and Donna converted it to employee-ownership through an employee stock program.
After this second retirement, Allan continued serving his community as a founding board member of John Marshall Bank and as social chair at the Army Navy Country Club. He enjoyed golf, reading, travel, and dining. He was fond of saying that, of all the titles he had—college graduate, Lieutenant Colonel, CEO—the one he enjoyed most was the one his grandchildren used: Pop-Pop.
He is survived by his wife and partner of over 50 years, Donna Jean Algoso. He is survived by his brother Vincent McAulay, his sister Antoinette “Toni” Hedrick, and his brother-in-law Frank Hedrick. He is survived by his three children and two daughters-in-law: Teresa Ann Algoso; William Arias Algoso and Anne Algoso; and David Allan Algoso and Annie Coombs. And he is survived by his four grandchildren: Sebastian, Horatio, Frances, and Jonah.
Al, as most people knew him, was a guy who loved telling stories. His stories entertained, informed, and brought people together. Sometimes he told the same stories more than once, but no one minded. If you have a story about Al, even one you’ve told before, we’d be honored if you shared it with us.
In lieu of sending flowers, please consider supporting the Capital Area Food Bank: https://www.capitalareafoodbank.org/, or your local food bank, which you can find here: https://www.feedingamerica.org/find-your-local-foodbank.
To send flowers
to the family or plant a tree
in memory of Allan Angel Algoso, please visit our floral store.