RETURN TO OBITUARIES

Ed Mialky

Ed Mialky, 78, recently passed away after a short battle with cancer.

Ed grew up outside Pittsburgh, the son of a steelworker with a large extended family that was predominantly Polish. His parents fostered a strong work ethic and a deep love of pierogis in both Ed and his younger brother, Ron.

Ed’s academic success in high school and then at Penn State, led him to a first career in ceramic engineering. Seeking a bit of adventure and an alternate path to serving others, Ed joined the Peace Corps and traveled to Ghana in Western Africa with his wife, Ellen. While there were some cultural differences, Ed mostly avoided the spicy food and moved toward finding his life’s work, teaching Chemistry to the boys of Techiman Secondary School from 1968 until 1970. Upon fulfilling his commitment to the Peace Corps, Ed joined the Job Corps in urban New Jersey and found his true calling in social work. After earning a degree in social work from Rutgers, he found his way to Bradford and joined The Guidance Center in 1974. This move back to Western Pennsylvania began Ed’s 45-year commitment to the people of Bradford and nearby communities. He also started raising his family here, with his son, Kevin, and his younger daughter, Erin. Ed eventually took on the role of Director of The Guidance Center as it became a private, non-profit organization in 1984. His meticulous and passionate leadership helped The Guidance Center grow and provide essential services to the community extending beyond mental health programs. When Ed retired in 2020, The Guidance Center had expanded to include over 20 programs serving thousands of people across 6 counties.

Ed was a dedicated and loving father who also enjoyed spending time with his four grandchildren – Ivan, Ben, Samara and Sam. He was always ready to entertain with antics ranging from bottle rockets and magic tricks to his annual April Fools’ pranks.

In his free time, Ed appreciated finely engineered cars and antique arts and crafts, both of which he enjoyed collecting with his long-time companion, Ginny Fass. In his later years, he enjoyed traveling with Ginny to experience the excitement of new cities as well as appreciating the wonders of our natural environment.

He will be remembered as a community leader who worked tirelessly to aid the most vulnerable. His friends and family will miss his generous support, clever wit and spirited curiosity in the world.

At Ed’s request, there will be no services or funeral.

Memorial contributions if desired may be made to the STEPS Drop In Center.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Hollenbeck-Cahill Funeral Homes Inc.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.hollenbeckcahill.com

 

HOLLENBECK-CAHILL Funeral Home

33 South Avenue • Bradford, PA 16701

All Condolences -

We will always remember Ed for his compassion coupled with his professional work style. Ed chose our building in Port Allegany as the home for The Guidance Center from 2008-2018. We took an instant liking to Ed and Ginny from the moment we met them. We are from California and felt that one of the reasons he chose our building was because he wanted us to succeed in our PA endeavor. He was always fair, supportive and insightful. Every year when we traveled to Port, one of the highlights was visiting with Ed and Ginny, not to talk business but to gather as friends. He spoke of his children, grandchildren, the history of Bradford and always had a funny story to tell. He had excellent taste in cars, wine, wood crafts and in choosing a companion-Ginny. He spoke proudly of Jonathan who lives in Los Angeles, not too far from us. He would let me know when he and Ginny were coming to town and the great restaurants Jonathan took them to. Even after we sold the building in 2018, we kept in contact with Ed and Ginny. He would send us pictures of his snow covered backyard and tell us how blessed he felt. We were blessed to get to know Ed on a personal level. He was so thoughtful, kind, dedicated, intelligent and humble. Our deepest condolences go out to Ginny, Jonathan and the whole Mialky family. Ed will be missed and remembered… Angelheart (Jennifer & Lisa)
— Jennifer

Very sorry to hear that Ed had died. I enjoyed my time serving on the Guidance Center’s Advisory Board and looked forward to working with Ed in that way. Heartfelt condolences to Ginny and his family.
— Karl Shuey

I met Ed in 1974 when he first came to work for the CEMP Program. I believe that he was appointed director of the Family and Child Clinic in Smethport. From the beginning, Ed was a top administrator who dealt with the four-county commissioner CEMP board and the various Title Programs with distinction. In those days, we had to rely on the CEMP Board and federal Title programs for monetary support of the many programs in our catchment area. Ed was a no-nonsense type of guy who knew what was needed and went after it. His accomplishments at the Guidance Center and the BSU were structurally, clinically, and managerially remarkable. He took the Bradford Clinic from an old broken-down wooden hospital wing to a beautiful edifice of distinction. Ed cannot be replaced, but we must be committed to pursue his vision of what a well-run and humanistic health care system is all about.
— John Addis

I am saddened to hear of Ed''s passing. My sincere condolences go out to Ed''s family and Ginny. He was a genuine good guy as well as a kind, thoughtful and supportive mentor and leader. I learned so much from Ed. I was very fortunate to work with Ed and many other wonderful and talented folks during my 4 years at TGC. I like to imagine that Ed will be chairing some intriguing BSU meetings in heaven.
— Tom Duffy

Rest in peace, Ed. Your faith and confidence in me throughout all the many years we worked side by side will always be remembered.
— Sharon Schweinberg

Ginny and the Mialky family. Sorry to hear of Ed''s passing. He will be missed by so many . He touched so many lives. I enjoyed his wisdom, guidance and humor.
— Barb D Burgess

Rest In Peace, my friend. I’m grateful for your guidance, generosity, respect and friendship throughout my career
— Sandi Imhof

Condolences

  • We will always remember Ed for his compassion coupled with his professional work style. Ed chose our building in Port Allegany as the home for The Guidance Center from 2008-2018. We took an instant liking to Ed and Ginny from the moment we met them. We are from California and felt that one of the reasons he chose our building was because he wanted us to succeed in our PA endeavor. He was always fair, supportive and insightful. Every year when we traveled to Port, one of the highlights was visiting with Ed and Ginny, not to talk business but to gather as friends. He spoke of his children, grandchildren, the history of Bradford and always had a funny story to tell. He had excellent taste in cars, wine, wood crafts and in choosing a companion-Ginny. He spoke proudly of Jonathan who lives in Los Angeles, not too far from us. He would let me know when he and Ginny were coming to town and the great restaurants Jonathan took them to. Even after we sold the building in 2018, we kept in contact with Ed and Ginny. He would send us pictures of his snow covered backyard and tell us how blessed he felt. We were blessed to get to know Ed on a personal level. He was so thoughtful, kind, dedicated, intelligent and humble. Our deepest condolences go out to Ginny, Jonathan and the whole Mialky family. Ed will be missed and remembered… Angelheart (Jennifer & Lisa)

    — Jennifer

  • Very sorry to hear that Ed had died. I enjoyed my time serving on the Guidance Center’s Advisory Board and looked forward to working with Ed in that way. Heartfelt condolences to Ginny and his family.

    — Karl Shuey

  • I met Ed in 1974 when he first came to work for the CEMP Program. I believe that he was appointed director of the Family and Child Clinic in Smethport. From the beginning, Ed was a top administrator who dealt with the four-county commissioner CEMP board and the various Title Programs with distinction. In those days, we had to rely on the CEMP Board and federal Title programs for monetary support of the many programs in our catchment area. Ed was a no-nonsense type of guy who knew what was needed and went after it. His accomplishments at the Guidance Center and the BSU were structurally, clinically, and managerially remarkable. He took the Bradford Clinic from an old broken-down wooden hospital wing to a beautiful edifice of distinction. Ed cannot be replaced, but we must be committed to pursue his vision of what a well-run and humanistic health care system is all about.

    — John Addis

  • I am saddened to hear of Ed''s passing. My sincere condolences go out to Ed''s family and Ginny. He was a genuine good guy as well as a kind, thoughtful and supportive mentor and leader. I learned so much from Ed. I was very fortunate to work with Ed and many other wonderful and talented folks during my 4 years at TGC. I like to imagine that Ed will be chairing some intriguing BSU meetings in heaven.

    — Tom Duffy

  • Rest in peace, Ed. Your faith and confidence in me throughout all the many years we worked side by side will always be remembered.

    — Sharon Schweinberg

33 South Avenue
Bradford, PA 16701
Ph: (814) 362-6643

372 East Main Street
Bradford, PA 16701
Ph: (814) 362-6337

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