A Life Story

Almon Berry Pace, Jr, known as Al, was born February 2, 1945 in Savannah, Georgia, A true native Savannahnian. He was the older of two brothers, Jacob and Neal, born to Almon and Corene Pace, now united in eternal happiness. Al was a graduate of Savannah High School and attended the University of Georgia on the Regents Scholarship. He returned to Savannah to help his family and enrolled and graduated from Armstrong State College in 1968 with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration. To further his education, he attended Williams College in Williamstown, MA where he graduated from the Graduate School of Credit and Finance. In Armstrong, Al worked nights in the “computer room” of the C&S Bank. Upon graduation, he entered the Management Training Program. With determination and hard work, he eventually moved up the corporate ladder and served as the Manager of the corporate lending division of C & S Bank. He was then offered a position in the bank’s New York City office. He returned back home to establish a corporate banking division of Great Southern Federal. He later became the President of AmeriBank, later known as Queensborough National Bank & Trust. He was well respected in the bank lending industry, often making loans over the phone or on a handshake. He knew his customers well and they trusted him in return. A mark of a sincere banker. In 1986, as his second career, Al bought Sir Speedy, which later became Pace Printing. He took great pride in his business and again devoted himself to building a successful operation. As his health declined, he operated out of his home but continued delivering quality service to customers. Al was a longtime member of several clubs, including the Savannah Golf Club, The Chatham Club, The Savannah Yacht Club and Siwanoy Country Club of Bronxville, New York. He served on the Board of Directors of Savannah Speech and Hearing, the Salvation Army, the Chatham Area Transit Authority and the YMCA of Coastal Georgia where he served on their Board of Directors for 46 years. He was a believer in giving back to his community and to society. In his spare time, Al coached Little League Baseball for many years. He even followed his teams through the years and several championships. Golf was one of Al’s great passions as an avid golfer. He enjoyed telling stories about memorable rounds he played in Augusta National, where he played twice and the Heritage Pro-Am, where he played three times. For more than 50 years, Al was a familiar face at Mrs. Wilkes’ Dining Room. He faithfully sat in his favorite seat for the first seating. His love of good food, familiar places and good company reflected the way he enjoyed his life. Above all else, Al treasured his family. He was a devoted husband to Tinka, his wife of 56 years, a loving and caring Father and Grandfather. His three Grandsons held a particular place in his heart. Al will be remembered for his loyalty and dedication to his family and his friends, his love of golf and baseball, his strong work ethic, his commitment to his community and his ability to find simple joys in life. Al is survived by his wife Tinka, his children, Caroline Pace Edwards (Stuart) and Robert Sullivan Downing Pace (Shana); his beloved grandsons, Sullivan Downing Pace, Grady McCaleb Pace and Jack Alexander Edwards; his sisters in law, Judith Downing (Jules Homans), Carolyn Pace (Jacob+) and Holly Pace (Neil+) and numerous nieces and nephews. In celebration of Al’s life, there will be a Memorial Mass on Saturday, August 29, 2026 at 11:00 am, St. James The Less, Catholic Church, 8412 Whitefield Avenue, Savannah, GA 31406. For those unable to attend in Savannah, Mass will be available via live stream: www.stjamessav.com/live-stream/ or www.facebook.com/stjamessavcatholicchurch In memory of Al, memorial contributions may be made to the St. James Catholic School Charging Forward Campaign or Hospice Savannah, Inc.