Albert James Pertalion was born Oct. 28, 1935, and died Sept. 15, 2019.

Albert was the son of Gus and Evie Pertalion of Bogalusa. He recently returned to Hammond after working in several states — the most notable was Germantown, Tenn., where he was the artistic director of the Germantown Performing Arts Center from 1996 to 2011.

Albert was a graduate of Southeastern Louisiana University, with a master’s from LSU and a near doctorate from Florida State University.

Throughout his career, he taught theatre, acting and directed at numerous universities. He was the artistic director of The Body Politic in Chicago, Ill. Albert was also a published poet in his later years. His last official work place was the Performing Arts Center at Georgia Southern University.

He is survived by his sister, Janis Knight of Hammond; his son and daughter from his first marriage to Patricia Pertalion, John and Claire Pertalion; and by his son, Andrew Pertalion, from his second marriage to Susan Pertalion.

A memorial service will be scheduled for a later date.