Top Stories

Beloved Children's Hospital shoe shiner dies at age 76

PITTSBURGH — Albert Lexie was called a "kind-hearted philanthropist." He shined shined shoes at UPMC Children's Hospital for more than 30 years and then donated all of his tips to help support hospital programs.

Lexie, of Monongahela, died at the age of 76.

>>PREVIOUS STORY: Children’s Hospital shoeshine man retiring after 32 years

The hospital announced the news on its Facebook page Tuesday.

Albert Lexie

Imagine the impact one person can have on the lives of so many others. That was Albert Lexie. Albert, the kind-hearted philanthropist who shined shoes at UPMC Children’s Hospital for more than 30 years and inspired countless people around the world, has passed away at the age of 76. He was a true legend, an inspiration to millions, and a friend to us at Children’s. Albert committed his life to raising money for the hospital’s Free Care Fund by donating all the tips he earned from his one-man shoeshine business to help ensure that no children from the region go without the care they need. Since he started in 1982, Albert raised more than $202,000 for kids at Children’s. Albert always said, “Jerry (Lewis) has his kids and I have mine. And mine are at Children’s Hospital.” We will miss you, Albert. And you will always be remembered here. https://bit.ly/2yJeg7T Be a Free Care Fund hero like Albert and make a gift today. Please visit www.givetochildrens.org/lexie.

Posted by UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh on Tuesday, October 16, 2018

"He was a true legend, an inspiration to millions, and a friend to us at Children’s," the post reads. "We will miss you, Albert. And you will always be remembered here."

From the time he started in 1982, Lexie raised more than $202,000 for children that needed care.

When he retired in 2013, he donated that money to the Free Care Fund at Children’s Hospital.

 

Cox Media Group

Most Read