Methuen, MA – Alan P. Kraunelis, 61, and Corporate Director of Labor & Community Relations Malden Mills Industries, Inc. died September 20, 2006, at the family residence following a lengthy illness.
Born in Lawrence, Alan was a graduate of Lawrence High School class of 1963, received an Associates degree in 1976, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration in 1978 from Merrimack College in North Andover. Kraunelis also received a diploma in 1968 from the Werntworth Institute, Boston. He had formerly been employed with Bolta Products a division of General Tire in the Products Division. During his tenure at Bolta, Alan served as Safety Director from 1975 to 1980.
In 1999, Workforce Magazine recognized the outstanding achievements of Malden Mills Human Resources Management Team with its prestigious Optima Award. Kraunelis and the Human Resources Staff at Malden Mills were recognized with this award in the Managing Care category for HR’s role in the company’s recovery from the 1995 fire.
A Lawrence native and longtime Methuen resident, Mr. Kraunelis’s community leadership includes City of Lawrence Partners in Education, Friends of Merrimack College (director),Greater Lawrence Community Boating Program; Greater Lawrence Community Action Council, where he served on the advisory board; Lawrence Boys & Girls Club; and in 2002 he was inducted into Lawrence Boys and Girls Club’s Hall of Fame where he served as a director. He was a member of Merrimack Valley Chamber of Commerce where he served on the Executive Committee, and President and charter member of Methuen Exchange Club. In 1999, Al was honored as Citizen of the Year by the Methuen Board of Trade. He also served on the Board of Directors of Neighbors in Need, American Red Cross, Lazarus House and YMCA. He was Chairman of the Methuen Zoning Board of Appeals for a number of years.
He is survived by his wife of 37 yrs,. Velva (Erban) Kraunelis, children Matthew A. Kraunelis & wife Dawn of Methuen; Kristen M. Kraunelis & husband James White of Exeter, NH; grandchildren Jack Alan Kraunelis and Sarah Mae Kraunelis both of Methuen; two brothers, Donald Kraunelis of Florida and Leo Kraunelis of Methuen; and several nieces and nephews.
Expressions of sympathy may be shared with Al’s family on Friday morning from 9 a.m. – 10: 45 a.m. at St. George Orthodox Church, 8 Lowell Street in Lawrence, with funeral services following at 11:15 a.m. at the Church.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. George Larry Erban Scholarship Fund, c/o St. George Orthodox Church, 8 Lowell St Lawrence, MA and the Lawrence Boy’s and Girl’s Club, 136 Water Street St. Lawrence, MA 01841.