Michael Pittenger Boak, 57, a 33-year veteran of the Marine Corps who retired as a colonel in 1998, died of pancreatic cancer August 18, 2000 at his home in Burke, Virginia.

Colonel Boak had had a home in the Washington area since the late 1980s. He was a member of St. Mary of Sorrows Catholic Church in Fairfax and did volunteer work at Bryant Alternative High School in Alexandria.

Colonel Boak, a native of Ontario, Oregon, was a graduate of the University of Oregon and received a master's degree in business management from Salve Regina University in Rhode Island.

His final military assignment was with the board of naval records in Washington, where he reviewed discharges. He was a Persian Gulf War veteran, and his decorations included the Legion of Merit and Navy-Marine Corps Commendation Medal.

Survivors include his wife since 1966, Michele Boak of Burke; two daughters, Kathy Sikora of Castle Rock, Colo., and Erin Foster of Manassas; a son, Michael Edward Boak of Burke; two brothers; and three grandchildren.

On August 18, 2000, at his residence, MICHAEL P. BOAK, loving husband of Michele (nee Morris); loving father of Katherine Sikora, Erin Foster and Michael Edward Boak; cherished brother of Duane and Kerry; devoted grandfather of Robert, Zachary and Scott Foster. Mass of Christian Burial Wednesday, 11 a.m., at St. Mary's Historic Catholic Church, Ox and Fairfax Station Rds. Inurnment Tuesday, September 5, 8:45 a.m., at Fort Myer Chapel, Arlington, Virginia with full military honors.