Voorheesville’s oldest school employee reminisces on work ethic

NEW SCOTLAND — Growing up in an Albany orphanage, 15-year-old Joseph Albright started his own business in 1941.

With permission from caretakers, Albright cleared out an unused storage shed at the home and began raising chickens, selling the eggs for 25 cents a dozen in the city streets.

“With the money, I was the only boy in the home at 15 buying his own clothes,” recalled Albright.

“We had a lot of boys who were very athletic; they played sports in school. I was not that type. I was an entrepreneur,” he said.

Reflecting on his childhood and how it shaped his life, Albright said, “I remember going hungry, I will never go hungry again.”

Now, at the age of 87, Albright is the oldest employee of the Voorheesville School District.

Albright’s general life advice: “Keep very busy and maintain a good sense of humor.”

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