Albert "Al" Marflak

BEAUFORT, SOUTH CAROLINA - Albert (Al) John Marflak was born in Donora, Pennsylvania on July 10, 1945 and passed into eternal life April 14, 2013 at MUSC, Charleston, SC. He was a faithful husband and loving father to wife, Carmen Choate Marflak, and daughters Heather Marflak (John) Braut and Etta Koleen Marflak both of Beaufort. He was a doting grandfather to grandson, Joshua Albert Braut. He is survived by brother, Frank Marflak, Jr of IL, and three sisters, Patricia Sandis, Mary Ann Hull and Helen Marflak of Donora, PA. He was preceded in death by his parents Frank Sr and Helen Marflak, and brothers Michael (Father Albert) and Ronald Marflak. He was a loving cousin and uncle


to several nieces, nephews, grandnieces and nephews whom affectionately called him "Abby". After graduation from Donora High School in 1963 he joined the US Navy and served his country first at the Beaufort Naval Hospital and then with M Company, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines in Vietnam as a Navy Corpsman. He was awarded the Purple Heart,National Defense Service, Vietnam Service, and Vietnam Campaign medals while serving in the Navy. Following discharge he graduated from York College and St. Joseph's Hospital in Lancaster, PA with a degree in health sciences and respiratory therapy. He was a practicing respiratory therapist for the next 40 years. For the last 25 years he worked at Memorial Medical Center in Savannah, GA before retiring in 2011. Al was an active member of Live Oak Christian Church in Bluffton and Community Bible Church mens' bible study. He was also actively involved with Gideons International Beaufort Chapter and the Marine Corps League as a docent at the Parris Island Museum. He held membership with organizations such as VFW and AMVETs. Al was an avid Pittsburgh sports fan. He enjoyed watching and routing for his Steelers, Penguins and Pirates. Upon retirement he enjoyed gardening and frequenting the Port Royal and Bluffton Farmers' Markets. One of his favorite hobbies was preparing home cooked meals for family, friends and community organizations, especially Frogmore Stew for out-of town guests. He was a generous giver to charitable organizations and people in need such as the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, Disabled American Veterans, United States Navy Memorial, Northwest Haiti Christian Mission, and Samaritan's Purse. For the last 25 years he has supported several children at the American Indian Christian Mission in Show Low, AZ. The family will receive friends from 5 until 7 o'clock Thursday at Copeland Funeral Service - One Copeland Drive. The memorial service will be held at 9:30 o'clock Friday morning in Baptist Church of Beaufort. The internment will be at 11 oclock Friday morning in Beaufort National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, www.vvmf.org ; Marine Corp League, Yellow Footprint Detachment, PO Box 6152, Beaufort, SC 29983; or Gideons International Beaufort Chapter, PO Box 72, Beaufort, SC 29901.