James M. Albert, 65, of Holyoke, passed away suddenly on Wednesday, July 31, 2024 while on vacation with his family in Old Orchard Beach, Maine. Jim was born on September 25, 1958 in Cambridge, Massachusetts – the eldest of loving parents, Claire (Mullally) Albert and Jules Albert. He was a graduate of Rindge Tech in Cambridge and attended Saint Anselm College, where he studied Political Science and Russian Studies, graduating in 1980. He met his wife Kathy there and they married in November 1981 at Saint Anselm. Jim proudly served in the Army, as a Tank Commander in the 2nd Armored Division, stationed at Camp Casey, Korea and later at Ft. Hood, Texas. After leaving the Army, he relocated to Western Massachusetts where he found his calling in a career in law enforcement. He joined the Holyoke Police Department in 1993, earned a Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice in 2000. He retired as Lieutenant, Commander of Criminal Investigations Bureau since 2013, served on the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force since 2002. Jim was a member of the Board of Directors for the Massachusetts Police Association from 2008 – 2018. After retiring in 2021, he established Red Leaf Investigations LLC. While he loved his work he was an even more devoted husband, father and grandfather. He loved attending T ball games, pee-wee soccer games and traveling with his family to places like Disney World, Scotland, Charleston, SC and his yearly trips to Maine. He loved to listen to good music (especially his son-in-law’s), reading the newspaper, and watching the Red Sox, Patriots, and Bruins. He is survived by his wife, Kathy (Mingo) of 42 years and his two children, Marykate Albert of Boston and Kristyn Magwire and her husband Sean of Oxford, as well as two grandchildren, Patrick and Cora Magwire. He also leaves behind his mother, Claire Albert of Cambridge, his Godmother, Ethel Toner of Cambridge, his siblings, Michelle (Paul) Yeomelakis of Wilmington, John (retired Cambridge police) and Maureen Albert of Chelmsford, sister-in-law, Kathleen of Reading, Brian (Cambridge fire) and Lorraine Albert of Canton, Denise (John) Dematos of Methuen, Keith (Cambridge police) and Mary-Jo Albert of Reading, and Kenneth (Cambridge fire) and Jeannette Albert of Wilmington. He will be missed by his Toner cousins and multiple nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother David (retired Cambridge police) from Reading and his father Jules Albert (retired Cambridge firefighter). The family would like to thank the Holyoke Police Department, who escorted Jim back from Maine, as well as the Scarborough, Maine Police Department, Old Orchard Beach Police Department, the staff and guests of the Friendship Oceanfront Suites in Maine, and the Hobbs Funeral Home in South Portland, Maine. Visiting hours will be held on Tuesday, August 13, 2024 from 4:00 to 8:00pm at the Barry J. Farrell Funeral Home, 2049 Northampton Street, Holyoke. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, August 14, 2024 at 10:00am in Blessed Sacrament Church, 1945 Northampton Street, Holyoke. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in name of James M. Albert to the Saint Jude Foundation or the Massachusetts Police Association College Scholarship Program.