Albert C. Glavan

Albert C. Glavan of East Palestine, Ohio, passed away peacefully at his home on Glavanwood Lane, on Thursday, August 3, 2006 with his family present. "Big Al" was known for always making the best of what life provided. It didn't matter if he was playing a round of golf or buying a round of drinks; he was always the life of the party. Al lived by the adage "Make a bet every day or you may be walking around lucky and not even know it." In keeping with his wishes, these words will be chiseled on his tombstone.

Al was born on June 9, 1922 to Joseph and Anna Barkovich Glavan, in Warren Ohio, where he grew up and attended school. At age 17, he joined the Civilian Conservation Corps at Yellowstone National Park. During World War II, Al enlisted in the Navy and was stationed on a destroyer escort in the Pacific theatre. In 1960, he started his own business in East Palestine, Associated T.A.D., an extrusion die manufacturing company, which he owned and operated for 45 years.

Al was a long-time member of Our Lady of Lourdes Church in East Palestine. Al belonged to the Eagles, Moose, East Palestine Historical Society, VFW, the Aluminum Extruders Council, East Palestine Country Club, and a charter member of the Fonderlac Country Club. He was a devout Catholic and a dedicated and loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and uncle. Al challenged himself everyday to live life to the fullest. His strong beliefs in God, hard work and taking care of his family and friends gave him the drive and perseverance that was so respected by his peers and family. His wry sense of humor, gift of gab, generous spirit and larger-than-life presence were shared on the golf course, around the card table, at poolside and on the beach. His passion for golf included playing on hundreds of golf courses throughout the United States as well as the legendary St. Andrews in Scotland.

Al is survived by his devoted wife Shirley; his children Frank Ganoe of East Palestine and Jeffrey Glavan of Columbus, OH; Diane Fowler of St. Petersburg, Fl; a granddaughter Ciara Ganoe (who was his greatest source of pride and joy in his later years); his sister and brother-in-law Cecelia and Al Barr of Ravenna, OH; brother and sister-in-law Joseph and Anne Glavan of San Antonio, TX; sister-in-law Marge Glavan of Petersburg, OH; brother-in-law Terry Keresty of East Palestine; sisters-in-law Patty Winterburn of Jensen Beach, FL and Barbara Keresty of Madison, WI; in-laws Ann and William Paes and Martha and Pete Oberholtzer of East Palestine; and many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends throughout the country.

Besides his parents, he was also preceded in death by two brothers, Harry Glavan and Luke Glavan.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, East Palestine with Father Dan Cipar officiating. Burial will follow in St. Mary's Cemetery.

Friends may call at the Van Dyke-Swaney Funeral Home, East Palestine, from 5-8 p.m. on Sunday where a prayer service will be held at 5:00 p.m. on Sunday.