By Sara Orlos Fernandes
Albert Strzoda is 81 and works full time as a floor installer. Money plays a secondary role. The former football player does his job with passion.
In an old apartment on Albertstrasse in Schöneberg, Strzoda smoothly fills the floor. Carrying a 25 kilo bag to the construction site is no problem for the craftsman, despite his age.
“As long as my body cooperates, I’ll keep going. If I notice it cracking, I have to stop. “It’s not cracking yet,” says the powerful senior from Dahlewitz.
Strzoda has worked as a floor installer five times a week for 45 years. After completing his apprenticeship as a pastry chef and baker, he quickly realized that getting up early wasn’t for him.
He then retrained at night school. He only started his own business at the age of 75 (!) after his boss retired.
Albert Strzoda (81) has been working for 45 years. At 75, he became self-employed and took over the company from his boss Photo: Christian Lohse
At first he was supported by employees, but now everyone has stopped. Strzoda: “They were young people, but the work was too hard for them…”
In addition to floors, the Cuxhaven native has two other passions in his life: his beloved wife Heideline – and football. He started kicking at the age of seven, played for Werder Bremen in 1962, later for VFL Wolfsburg and most recently in the U70 team for Hertha BSC. Today he only follows the games on the screen.
The pension is enough for him. “My wife and I are taken care of,” he says, “I simply enjoy the work.” And on Sundays he has time alone for his Heideline. “Sometimes she asks when I’m going to stop. But she supports me in what I do,” he says.
He recharges his batteries on a Sunday walk with her so he can drive back to the construction site in his van on Monday.