November 24, 1948 – May 28, 2021 Lifelong Angoon resident and former State Senator Albert Matthew Kookesh, 72, left peacefully in the early morning on May 28, 2021, on his 51st wedding anniversary, at his home surrounded by family and loved ones. Albert was born on November 24, 1948, in Juneau, AK, to Matthew Albert Kookesh of Angoon, AK and Ramona Delores (Herrera) Kookesh of Carrizozo, NM.  He graduated from Mt. Edgecumbe High School in 1967, where he remains on the school’s basketball Hall of Fame.  Albert graduated from, and played basketball for, Alaska Methodist University (now Alaska Pacific University) in 1972 and earned his Juris Doctorate from the University of Washington School of Law in 1977.Albert married his wife of 51-years Sally Marie Woods, of Manley Hot Springs, AK, on May 28, 1970, in Angoon, AK, where they returned to raise their family after completing college and professional school.  In his professional career, he worked for Kootznoowoo, Inc.; he was elected to the Alaska State Legislature, serving in the Alaska House of Representatives from 1997 to 2004 and the Alaska State Senate from 2004 to 2012; and worked in the Administrations for Governors Tony Knowles and Bill Walker. As part of his lifetime of public service, he served on the Sealaska Corporation Board of Directors from 1976 until his passing, including as Chair for 14 years; on the Alaska Federation of Natives Board as co-chair for 16 years; on the Alaska Native Brotherhood as the Grand Camp President and as an Executive Committee Member; as a Trustee for the First Alaskans Institute; as a Trustee for the Sealaska Heritage Institute; and so much more.“No one even knows everything Albert has done for his community and shareholders . . . He’s dedicated his whole life to serving his home village of Angoon and the entire region.”Anthony Mallott, SealaskaIn addition to his public service, Albert is known for his love of basketball, especially the Gold Medal Basketball Tournament,where he won 11 championships and was inducted into the Hall of Fame; his life as a fisherman; his love of hunting; his practice and protection of our traditional way of life, also known as Subsistence; his mentorship and wisdom; his jokes and “true stories”; and for his extreme love and devotion to his home village of Angoon and his family.  He so loved his time with his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. In his final days, he was so proud of his grandchildren for winning the regional high school 1A basketball tournament.“Albert was a true Aan Yadí – noble person – and his leadership was felt everywhere.” Rosita Worl, Sealaska Heritage InstituteAlbert was Eagle of the Teikweidí (Brown Bear) clan, Child of the L’eeneidí (Dog Salmon) clan. His Tlingit name was Kaasháan, and he also had the name Yikdahéen.Albert is survived by his wife Sally; his children Elaine Jack and her husband Frank, Jaeleen Kookesh, Reanna Kookesh, Albert Kookesh III and his wife Shiann, Walter Kookesh and his wife Amanda, Chenara Johnson and her husband Kyle; his brothers Matthew Kookesh, and Gordon Kookesh (Lisa); his sisters Pauline Duncan (Al), Nellie Kookesh (Matsu), Martha Akagi, and Stella Estrada (Rocky); his uncle Flavio Herrera; his devoted nephew Edward “BeeBucks” Kookesh (Jeannette); his brothers- and sisters-in-law; many nieces and nephews; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.He is preceded in death by his father Matthew; his mother Ramona; his brothers Floyd and Edward; his uncle Walter Soboleff; his aunt Mary Nava; his grandson Bentley; and dear friends Clarence Jackson, Byron Mallott, George “Chunky” Henniger, Herbie Bruce, Fred Hopkins, Ivan Gamble, and Gerald “Pooch” Gregory. The Memorial Service will be held at the Kevin O’Brien Gymnasium, Angoon High School, in Angoon, AK on Friday, June 4, 2021, at 6:00 p.m., and the burial will take place in Killisnoo on Saturday, June 5, 2021, at noon.