For over five decades, Earl Albert was the steady hand behind Loeb’s Foodtown in Lenox, Massachusetts, a cornerstone of the community and a beacon of reliability for locals. But his legacy extends far beyond his remarkable 51-year tenure as the store’s owner. Earl’s story is also the story of a towering Norway spruce, planted in honor of his wife Lesley and destined to light up New York City as this year’s Rockefeller Center Christmas tree.
A Tree of Love and Family
Before Earl Albert became synonymous with Loeb’s Foodtown, he planted two young Norway spruce trees on his West Stockbridge property. The year was 1967, and the act was one of quiet devotion. Earl had married the love of his life, Lesley, and wanted to commemorate their growing family. The two trees were not just decorative—they were meaningful gifts, each planted in honor of a beloved family member: his nieces, Zena and Beth.
Over the years, Beth’s tree faced the challenges of time and nature, but Zena’s tree survived—and more than survived. It thrived, growing to an extraordinary 74 feet tall, its branches spreading wide, a testament to the care and love it had received for nearly seven decades.
From Storekeeper to a National Spotlight
Earl’s life revolved around his community. He took over Loeb’s Foodtown in 1968 and ran it with integrity, kindness, and a commitment to his customers. For 51 years, Earl was a familiar face, a figure as reliable as the seasons in the Berkshires. Even as the store evolved and eventually passed into new hands when Bernie Fallon and his wife Isabel purchased it in 2019, Earl’s name remained synonymous with the heart of the community.
But it wasn’t just his role as a storekeeper that defined Earl—it was his profound connection to his family and the land he called home. That connection was what made the tree so much more than just a Norway spruce. It was a living memory, planted out of love for his wife and family, and nurtured through the years with care and devotion.
A Miracle Visit
In 2020, Erik Pauze, the head gardener for Rockefeller Center, arrived in West Stockbridge. He had spotted Zena’s tree from afar and felt it might be the perfect fit for the world-famous Rockefeller Center Christmas display. When he approached Earl with the request to donate the tree, Earl didn’t hesitate for even a moment.
His immediate response was “yes,” even though it came during a profoundly difficult time. Lesley, his beloved wife, had passed away just a week before Erik’s visit. The timing was uncanny, and for Earl and his son Michael, it felt almost divine. “We wondered if Erik was an angel sent to us,” Michael reflected, noting how the gardener’s visit brought a sense of meaning and connection during their grief.
The act of donating the tree was not just a gift to the world—it was a tribute to Lesley and a way of sharing the Albert family’s love and legacy with millions.
A Community’s Farewell
On November 3, 2024, the town of West Stockbridge gathered to watch as the majestic 74-foot spruce was carefully cut down by a team of skilled arborists. The event drew crowds from the community and beyond, all eager to witness this historic moment. Earl’s tree, lovingly planted decades ago, was about to take on a new life as a national symbol of joy and celebration.
The sight of the tree being carefully secured and lifted was described as magical. “The teamwork was incredible,” said one onlooker. For Earl and his family, it was a moment of pride and gratitude—a way to share something deeply personal with the world.
Carrying the Legacy Forward
After the holiday season, the tree will continue to give back. It will be milled into lumber and donated to Habitat for Humanity, extending its legacy of generosity and love. For Earl, this act of giving mirrors the life he lived—always focused on others, whether through his work at Loeb’s Foodtown or his quiet moments at home with Lesley.
Though Earl has since stepped back from the store he ran for so many years, his presence remains strong in West Stockbridge and Lenox. His influence is felt not only in the community but also in the next chapter of Loeb’s, now led by Bernie and Isabel Fallon. Bernie has often reflected on Earl’s steady presence and the deep roots he laid, not just in the store but in the hearts of the people he served.
A Symbol of Love and Legacy
For Earl Albert, the tree was always more than just a Norway spruce. It was a symbol of love—for his wife, for his family, and for the land that nurtured it. As the tree prepares to light up Rockefeller Center, it carries with it the story of a small-town storekeeper whose legacy is now part of a national tradition.
Earl’s story is a reminder of the extraordinary in the everyday—a tree planted with care, a life lived with purpose, and a legacy that shines as brightly as the lights that will adorn it. For West Stockbridge and beyond, Earl Albert’s tree is more than a Christmas symbol. It’s a gift of love, a tribute to Lesley, and a story of devotion that will live on for generations.
