Albert Nelson Mihalek

Albert Nelson Mihalek of Plattsburgh, New York, passed away on Sunday, February 14 at age 69 at his home. He was born on August 30, 1951 in Saratoga Springs, and is the son of Albert and Lillian (Bishop) Mihalek.

Al graduated from Saratoga Springs High School in 1969, where in addition to exceling at school, his proudest accomplishment was building and spending multiple days inside a model spaceship in the gymnasium with his best friend to simulate a space mission. After high school, he enrolled at Parks College in St. Louis, and later transferred to SUNY Plattsburgh to study English and Drama. He spent his days with Kurt Vonnegut, William Shakespeare, and his guitar, before graduating in 1975.

After graduating college, Al stayed at SUNY Plattsburgh as the Assistant to the Dean of Arts and Science until his retirement over four decades later. He spent much of his career at SUNY Plattsburgh working for the betterment of faculty and staff, from serving on the board of the Child Care Center to his long tenure as President and Vice President of the United University Professionals. Al loved watching the SUNY Plattsburgh Cardinals hockey team and making his colleagues laugh with his impeccable sense of humor. He also gave back to his community outside of the college, volunteering and holding leadership roles with the Plattsburgh Lions Club for much of his life, where his prize position (other than volunteering as a “Dipping Dad” scooping ice cream at his daughter’s elementary school) was manning the fryer in the Lions Club food truck at the annual Battle of Plattsburgh celebration.

Al lived his life with the goal of helping others, loved his family fiercely, and was the perfect father. He enjoyed listening to the Beatles, reading books by the lake with a cup of coffee, his daily phone calls with his daughter (which always included a recap of the news and the best jokes from the prior night’s talk shows), and taking care of his pets.

He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law Alexandra Mihalek and John Korevec; his three brothers Mark Mihalek; Alfred and Leslie Mihalek; Dan and Cindy Mihalek; his many nieces and nephews; his friend Lauren Johannes-Mihalek; and his cat, Frank. He was predeceased by his parents, his sister Lynne Mihalek O’Rourke, and his canine friends Molly, Lydia, and Marco.

Due to the current national health concerns, there will be a private viewing for immediate family only; however, a celebration of life will be held at a later date. Memorial donations in honor of Albert Mihalek can be made to the SUNY Plattsburgh Child Care Center; the Plattsburgh Lions Club; or the Plattsburgh Interfaith Food Shelf; all c/o Brown Funeral Home, 29 Broad Street, Plattsburgh, NY 12901.

Arrangements are entrusted to the Brown Funeral Home, Plattsburgh, NY. Online condolences may be offered at: www.brownfuneralhomeinc.com.