It's another sad day for the Rossland family at the centre of a public debate about senior care in this province. Al Albo has died at the age of 96.

Fanny Albo – his wife of almost 70 years – died last month, just two days after being moved from the hospital where Al Albo was receiving treatment.



Fanny and Al Albo in the early 1990s

Fanny Albo's family had asked the hospital in Trail to let her stay, so she could be with her husband. However, she was sent to a long-term care facility in Grand Forks, more than 100 km away.

Her death sparked an investigation by B.C.'s deputy health minister, who found Albo did not get quality care.

Health Minister George Abbott says he called the Albo family Thursday to express his condolences.

"This is a very, very sad event," Abbott said. "I think what I've seen form the conversations I've had with the Albo family, there is a lot of strength in that family, there's a lot of patience, a lot of understanding, a lot of courage.

"And I think all of those qualities will be very important to the Albo family as they go through yet another difficult chapter in their lives."

Abbott says he won't speculate on whether the events of the past two weeks contributed to Al Albo's death.

The minister plans to meet senior officials from the Interior Health Authority to discuss his concerns about the care Fanny Albo received.

The report on the case called for improved services in the region – and the health minister has said he'll act on those recommendations.