Widower who donated Rockefeller Center Christmas tree in honor of late wife suffers stroke before lighting ceremony 

The Massachusetts widower who spent decades growing this year’s Rockefeller Center Christmas tree has tragically suffered a stroke that may now prevent him from witnessing the iconic lighting ceremony, his family says.

Earl Albert, of West Stockbridge, Mass., is currently recovering in a hospital in Albany, NY, after his health recently took a turn — just weeks before the Dec. 4 lighting of his beloved tree, his relatives told NBC’s “Today.”

“Earl has been recovering from a stroke and is receiving great care,” his family said, adding that he was hoping for a speedy recovery.

Earl Albert, of West Stockbridge, Mass., suffered a stroke — just weeks before the tree he grew with his late wife, Leslie, is due to be lit up. courtesy of the Albert family

“He is looking forward to the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting and working hard to be able to attend in person.”

Albert had donated the 74-foot-tall, 11-ton Norway spruce in honor of his late wife, Leslie, who he planted the tree with back in 1967 when they were newlyweds.

“We first used to decorate it when it was small, and then it got so big that I couldn’t decorate it,” Albert said of the now-towering tree.

He donated the 74-foot-tall, 11-ton Norway spruce in honor of his late wife, Leslie, who he planted the tree with back in 1967 when they were newlyweds. James Keivom

Albert was first approached about providing the tree by Rockefeller Center’s head groundskeeper back in 2020 — just days after his wife, a part-time school nurse, had died.

The family took it as a sign and Albert has since described the tribute to his wife as “probably one of the greatest honors” of his life.

The colossal conifer — which will soon be alight with dazzling 50,000 multi-colored bulbs — is the first Rockefeller Center Christmas tree grown outside New York State since 1959.

The tree is set to be lit up and topped with a Swarovski crystal star during the “Christmas in Rockefeller Center” event on Dec. 4.