Obituary of Alan B Malnak, Sr.

Alan “Al” Malnak, 95, passed away on August 28, 2024, in Bernardsville, N.J.

Born in Newark, NJ, on September 12, 1928, son of Edward and Jann Malnak, and brother to Joyce Thomas and Jerry Malnak.

Al graduated from West Side High School, attended the Carteret School and then Upsala College where he met his wife, Wynnie. They were married while Al was serving in the Army Signal Corps between 1953 – 1954. Al later received his graduate degree from Seton Hall Graduate School of Business.

Al was a good athlete, playing football at all school levels and then semi-professional football with the Newark Bears. As an adult, Al played a lot of tennis and was later an avid golfer.

For a short period of time, Al sold insurance with his good friend Red Mulholland, but then followed his father’s path into the Ironworkers, Local 11, Newark, NJ. Subsequently, Al worked in a series of administrative positions, ultimately assuming the position of Executive Vice President of the Ironworker Fund Service Corporation.

One of Al’s greatest professional challenges was when he was appointed by the Union Council to institute and run the Ironworkers Trainee program to recruit minorities to fulfill the goal of a Title 7 Consent Decree. His success, resulting mostly from his desire and ability, to make personal connections with the men whom he recruited, led the Trustees to organize the Ironworker Fund Service Facility for several NJ locals which managed the training program and the health and retirement benefits for members.

Al was active in other venues, being a member of the NJ Attorney Ethics Committee, Founder and Past President of City of Orange PAL (Police Athletic League), Former Chairman of Maplewood Recreation Committee, Member of the City of Orange Board of Adjustment, NJ Football Officials Association, and the NJ Benefit Fund Administrators.

With a strong commitment to his faith and community, Al was Chairman of the Long Hill Chapel Board of Elders, Bible study leader for Executive Ministries and Bible study leader for both the Goodwill and Market Street Mission. Al was most recently a member of the Stonecrest Community Church.

At 6’4” and often over 200lbs, Al was a visible presence, but more than physically, Al left his presence wherever he went.  His friendliness, care and concern for others, ability to remember everyone he ever met throughout his lifetime and mandelbrot cookies will continue to be remembered by everyone he befriended.

Al and Wynnie were married for 66 years before Wynnie passed in 2019. Together they had four children Alan Jr, Leslie Malnak-MacGray, Edward Malnak and Brian Malnak and five grandchildren Bailey Malnak, Caleb MacGray, Riley Malnak, Kate Malnak and Will Malnak, along with two step grandchildren, Jamie MacGray Schwartz and Benjamin MacGray.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at Stonecrest Community Church in Warren, NJ on September 21 @ 10 am followed by a repast. For further information, or to leave an online condolence message, please visit www.gcfuneralhome.com.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Wounded Warriors (woundedwarriorproject.org) or Stonecrest Community Church (stonecrestchurch.com).