Alexander Slafkosky

Alexander Slafkosky

Alexander Leonard Slafkosky, 89, a former Chief Scientist of the U.S. Marine Corps and resident of Annapolis since 1948, died July 15 at his home. "Al" was born and raised in Bethlehem, PA. He graduated from St. John's College in 1943 and earned his doctorate from Laval University in Quebec, Canada in 1948. He served in the Marine Corps during World War II, commanding a Marine Corps company on Saipan, the Okinawa Campaign and Japan, landing with the first troops in Nagasaki in 1945. From 1948 to 1957, he served on the faculty at his alma mater, St. John's College, and was chosen as a Fellow by the Ford Foundation working on the advanced study of modern logic. In 1957, he began a 30-year career working for the Marine Corps in Washington, DC. He was the Operations Research Analyst for the U.S. Marine Headquarters from 1957 to 1962 and the Scientific Advisor to the Commandant of the Marine Corps from 1963 to 1987, providing the policy guidelines, technical direction and oversight of the Marine Corps research, development and studies' programs. In particular, he was the principal, continuing influence and motivator behind the Navy's Landing Craft Air Cushion, Surface Effect Ship and Vertical and Short Take-Off and Landing aircraft programs. A member of St. Mary's Catholic Church for over 63 years, he was an active and committed parishioner serving as one of the original Parish Board Presidents, in addition to being scheduled as the regular 8 a.m. weekly lector for many years, continuing his commitment as a lector until 2008. For many years, he shared his beautiful voice leading the residents in singing old favorites at Sunrise Senior Living on Bestgate Road every Tuesday afternoon in what they called "Music Appreciation with Al". An avid golfer, he spent many an early Saturday on the links with his long-time golf foursomes, moving on to a "snowbird" foursome at St. Simons, GA each winter for over fifteen years after he retired. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 50 years, Margaret Eoff Slafkosky, who died in 1998; three daughters, Susan Jacobs in 2006, Rebecca Slafkosky in 1960 and Anne Mary "Molly" Slafkosky in 1966; son, Thomas Slafkosky in 1961; and grandson, Daniel Slafkosky in 2000. He is survived by his daughter, Barbara Blackledge and her husband Robert Mallery of Indiana, PA; three sons, David Slafkosky and his wife Michelle of Catonsville, James Slafkosky and his wife Catherine of Marietta, GA, and Mark Slafkosky of Perry Hall; 12 grandchildren; one great-grandson; and six nieces and three nephews, including Alexander R. Slafkosky of Annapolis. A visitation will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, July 19 at Taylor Funeral Home, 147 Duke of Gloucester St., Annapolis. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, July 20 at St. John Neumann Catholic Church, 620 N. Bestgate Road, Annapolis, with interment to follow in St. Mary's Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Al's memory may be made to Catholic Charities. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.johnmtaylorfuneralhome.com