Bradford Woods man makes wood carvings from the heart

As a boy growing up in Brooklyn, N.Y., Alfred Akner would patriotically carve model airplane kits.

It’s what all of the kids did to pass the time during World War II, he said. But the hobby fell away when he was in high school. Then, close to 30 years ago, when he was close to retirement, Alfred realized he needed a pastime to “have in my back pocket.”

“I can’t just pull the plug and go somewhere and hunker down. I needed to do something to keep me busy,” said Akner, a former architect.

That’s when he returned to wood carving, and it blossomed into a beautiful family tradition.

After moving from Long Island to Bradford Woods 17 years ago, his wife Valerie started the family tradition of a Christmas brunch gift. It was just one more special thing to open after a busy morning of presents under the tree and church, said Akner, 88.

She started with handmade soft sculptures of Santas or angels, and Akner soon took over the task with crafting wooden ornaments or statues for each of his seven kids.

Fast-forward to today, and the list has grown to a personalized gift for every in-law, 23 grandchildren, and 27 great-grandchildren.

This year, he has about 80 gifts to make on his list, but he’s getting a late start.

His wife Valerie, with whom he would’ve celebrated 69 years of marriage on Dec. 26, passed away in July. As her caregiver, he’s had a challenging and busy year.

He always carved the most special gift for her.

“She’d always get the best one,” he said.

But now he’s back at his woodworking shop in his basement, carrying on the tradition his wife started.

He doesn’t like to keep track of how long it takes him to make all the gifts because he said that takes the fun out of it.

Akner was a member of the Chips and Chisel wood carving club in north Pittsburgh before it disbanded during the pandemic. Truly possessing an artistic gift, the former architect has perfected his craft to carve intricate details into pieces of wood, such as fingers and Santa’s whiskers, using a carver’s preferred material of basswood.

For years, he worried that he might lose the ability to do this detailed work, so he’s grateful he is able to keep going.

“I get to be able to use my hands and eyes, and I thank God for that aspect. So far, He’s been very generous,” Akner said.

His daughter, Donna Bezier of Cranberry Township, recalls the many years of “Christmas brunch gifts.”

“They were gifts that we always looked forward to and anticipated each Christmas morning,” she said.

Bezier has five kids and 19 grandchildren, each still a gift recipient.

She explained her dad will usually choose a theme for each group in the family, such as for the in-laws or grandkids.

Akner said he made Peanuts characters one year. Another year he made wooden Celtic Love Spoons for his children.

Each one of them is slightly different since they’re all handmade, Bezier said. He ventures outside of Christmas gifts for other special occasions, too.

“It’s mind blowing,” she said.

The family marvels at his commitment.

“He has a wonderful talent, and bigger than that is his heart. We are truly so blessed to have a special dad, and granddad, and great-grandfather,” she said.