Dear Friends and Colleagues,
We are sad to share that Al Malefatto, our organization’s longest-serving Board Member, unexpectedly passed away on September 21, 2023. Al was a kind soul, a family man, and friend to everyone he met. He moved through life with an aura of warmth, gratitude, and generosity and will be deeply missed by many in our community. The mark he made on each our lives and for South Florida will be felt for a long time. We want to share our heartfelt condolences with you all.
Al poured his gratitude and love of humanity into service for the many causes he supported and was passionate about fostering the next generation of environmental leaders. He was a founding and active member of the Friends for over 20 years. Al’s dedication to the Gale Academy was clear as he filled many roles within the organization including Chair of the Scholarship Committee, lead scholarship coordinator with the Community Foundation of Palm Beach and Martin Counties, as well as serving in multiple officer positions over the years. Perhaps most importantly, Al maintained the Friends’ connection with the family of Leah Schad and the family and classmates of Nicholas Megrath.
The Friends plan to honor Al’s contribution to the Gale Academy at the 24th Annual Nicholas Megrath Scholarship Dinner & Awards Ceremony, which will be held on May 2, 2024, at Loggerhead Marinelife Center (14200 US Highway 1, Juno Beach, FL 33408). Please save the date if you would like to join us.
Many of you have asked what you can do to help honor Al. Al’s family has requested that donations be made in his name to two charitable organizations with which Al was deeply connected. One of these organizations is the Friends of the Academy of Environmental Science & Technology, Inc. All donations made to the Friends will be directed towards supporting the students in the Gale Academy of Environmental Science at Forest Hill Community High School.
Thank you for your continued support and we hope you can join us in honoring our friend on May 2.
Sincerely,
Helen V. Hickman, P.G., President and the Board Members of The Friends of the Academy of Environmental Science and Technology
