REHOBOTH BEACH, Del. - Allen “Al” Fasnacht, a cherished figure at Funland and a beloved community member, passed away on Sunday at the age of 96.
This is according to information Funland posted on its Facebook page. Fasnacht dedicated more than 60 years to Funland, where he became known not just for his commitment to the park but for the lasting connections he built with guests, employees and the local community.
In 1962, he and his family bought what was known as the Rehoboth Beach Sports Center and turned it into the beloved amusement attraction on the boardwalk. Four generations of Fasnachts keep the park running, serving up rides, games, and classic summer fun to families who have been visiting for decades.
In recent years, Fasnacht worked at the park part-time. His duties once included waste management and driving truckloads of recycling to a local environmental center. However, in 2022, Fasnacht gave that up and took on calmer tasks such as painting a ride or bench when needed.
For Fasnacht, Funland’s success has always been about more than rides and games. Most recently living in his hometown of Hershey, PA he returned each May to help open the park.
In three word's, Fasnacht's great nephew, Ian Curry, described him as "Humble, practical, and caring."
"He might not physically be here, but everything that he kind of embodied and what he taught us and what he kind of exemplified you can see it here when it when people come to visit us," said Curry.
Ron Murphy worked for Fasnacht at Funland in the 1970s.
"Al was a fantastic employer. He worked right alongside with you; wouldn't ask you to do anything he wouldn't want to do. Best job I ever had, best employer I ever had. And he's truly going to be missed," said Murphy.
