Joseph Malak

JOSEPH MICHAEL MALAK, age 88, passed away peacefully on Sunday, October 30, 2011 at The Weils with his loving wife of 56 years, Carmela “Molly”, at his side, after suffering from heart failure and Alzheimer’s Disease in recent years. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and friend. He spent his entire career with industrial manufacturer & wholesaler Cleveland Sales Company, starting as a floor sweeper and stock boy in 1935 to eventually becoming its owner & Chairman/CEO in 1983. An Army veteran of WWII in the 383rd Anti-Aircraft Unit, he served as a coordinator between his unit and the Air Force Command. He fought five battles for his country in the South Pacific earning 3 Bronze Stars; while fighting on the island of Morotai, his unit endured 99 consecutive nights of bombing missions by the Japanese Air Force. After the war, he continued his education while working full-time, attending Cleveland College then Western Reserve University. He was very proud of his membership in the Holy Name Society and his service as a Eucharistic Minister for St. Gregory the Great Church, and attending to the homebound and patients at Hillcrest Hospital.

Survivors include his wife Molly (nee Lombardo); son Joseph T. Malak, MD (of Hyde Park, NY); son Thomas A. Malak (of Sarasota, FL): daughter Natalie Drake (husband Joe) (of Chagrin Falls); grandchildren Ryan Drake, Lyndsay Drake, Katherine Malak and Joey Luis Malak; along with nieces & nephews. Joseph was preceded in death by his brother, Richard Nalepka. The Malak family would like to extend special thanks to the wonderful staff at The Weils for all their dedicated service, especially Joanie for her loving compassionate care.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Carmelite Sisters of Cleveland; the Montefiore Foundation; or to the Alzheimer’s Association. Mass of Christian Burial Thursday, November 3, 2011 at St. Gregory the Great Catholic Church of Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish at 11 AM. Interment will follow in All Souls Cemetery.

Family will receive friends to pay tribute and celebrate the life of Joe at THE DeJOHN-FLYNN-MYLOTT FUNERAL HOME OF SOUTH EUCLID, 4600 MAYFIELD RD. (just East of Green Rd.) WEDNESDAY 3-5 AND 6-8 PM.