Alvin Frederick Mihalick

Alvin F. Mihalick, age 73 of Teaneck, succumbed to pancreatic cancer on March 29, 2014 after a brief stay in Villa Marie Claire Hospice. He leaves behind his beloved wife, Helen (nee Reese Yeisley), two step daughters, Amy Gavzy and spouse Josh of Colorado Springs, CO and Marcy Yeisley Greenblatt and spouse David of Ridgefield Park, NJ, and seven step grandchildren, Samantha Gavzy, Sabrina Gavzy, Simcha Gavzy, SairReese Gavzy, Duncan Greenblatt, Shannon Greenblatt, and Brianna Greenblatt. Born in Sewickley, PA on February 7, 1941 to the late Rudy and Alice (nee Gramba) Mihalick, Al left Pennsylvania following graduation from Ambridge High School in 1959 and headed west to Colorado. There he worked in the mines becoming a journeyman electrician while also attending Colorado A&M. His BA degree earned in 1963 was in History and Political Science. His education continued and he earned several master’s degrees in areas as diverse as geology, mining engineering and comparative religion. His Ph.D was in theoretical physics. Following college Al went to work for the US government as an intelligence officer assigned to the US Air Force. A pilot since age 14, Al was trained to fly both helicopters and airplanes, including the SR71 Blackbird. His 13 years of combat duty ended when he stepped on an exploding device in the middle of a rice paddy in SE Asia. His final 17 years of service to his country were spent as deputy director of two agencies inside the Pentagon. Following his retirement from government service in 1993, Al held various positions with several companies throughout the southwest United States, including managing a small cattle ranch outside of Roswell, NM. Al enjoyed sculpting stone and many of his pieces found homes around the globe. A larger than life man with skills and interests in myriad areas, above all Al loved to make people laugh. He will be dearly missed by many. A memorial service will take place at St. Paul’s (Episcopal) Church at 113 Engle Street, Englewood, NJ on Thursday, April 10, 2014 at 2 PM, followed immediately by a reception at the church. Al’s ashes will be buried at a later date in Ararat, PA. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions to Christ Episcopal Church, 251 State Street, Hackensack, NJ 07601 in memory of Alvin F. Mihalick would be appreciated.