Alfred Ercolano Obituary

ERCOLANO, Alfred Al Ercolano, age 83, of Mt. Pleasant, SC died early Saturday April 19, 2008. Son of the late Jenny and Alfred Ercolano he was born in Corona, NY on August 1, 1924. He is survived by his wife of 52 years and their five children, Steven, John, Lisa, David, Maria, and sisters Sophie, Irene, and Norma and preceded in death by his sister Anne. He was a proud, loving grandfather to his thirteen grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Al served with the Marines in WW II from 1942 1946 after his discharge he attended The University of Arkansas where he earned a BA in education. Al Ercolano spent his professional career serving medically related organizations. In 1952, he joined Blue Cross-Blue Shield where he held various positions until 1961 when he joined the American Nursing Home Association in Washington DC as Executive Director In December of 1970, Al joined the College of American Pathologists as Executive Director of their newly created Legislative Affairs office in Washington, a position he held until he retired in December 1990. He then served the College as Vice President for Special Projects. Under his leadership, the CAP's advocacy program became one of medicines most sophisticated and efficient efforts. By 1990, the staff had grown to twelve and the budget for the Washington office totaled 1 million dollars. He was not only active on Capitol Hill but also with executive and regulatory agencies. He was an outstanding advocate for the private practice of medicine and guarded against over regulation and legislation, which could impede health care. In all he was a strong voice for American medicine. In 1992 the American Medical Association presented him with a Citation of a Layman for distinguished service. He was a quiet man who loved his family and greatly enjoyed the times he had with his grandchildren. We will miss him. Semper Fi, Marine! His wish was to be cremated and his final resting place will be in Beaufort National Cemetery in Beaufort, South Carolina. Family and friends may visit at the McALISTER-SMITH FUNERAL HOME MT PLEASANT CHAPEL, 1520 Rifle Range Road, Mt. Pleasant April 23, 2008 from 3-7 pm, with a Memorial service at 7:00 pm. Graveside Services for Al will be held Thursday, April 24, at 11:30 in Beaufort National Cemetery. In (lieu) of flowers, the family requests that remembrances be in his name to Hospice Center of Charleston, 676 Wando Park Blvd. 676 Wando Park Blvd., Mt Pleasant SC 29464 Online memorials may be forwarded to the family at [email protected]. Visit our guestbook at www.charleston.net/deaths.