Timothy Peter Kavelak, 52, of Middletown, Del., lost his long battle to cancer at home on Monday, July 27, 2015.
Mr. Kavelak was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma eight years ago. He fought courageously through every single day to live the life he loved so much with the people he loved the most and who thought the world of him.
He was born July 8, 1963 in Williamsport. He graduated from Montoursville High School, where he played baseball and football.
Mr. Kavelak then attended Mansfield University, where he played football. He was a brother of Phi Sigma Kappa Fraternity, where he made life-long friendships.
He cherished his annual hunting trips to Indiana with David Ebbert and James Collins to whom he spoke to daily. He was a member of Mountain Meadow Lodge Hunting Camp (Frozen Run), where he spent many hunting seasons and work weekends. There, he spent quality time with his many friends while adding treasures to his man cave.
He retired from the Federal Bureau of Prisons in October of 2014 after 27 years of dedicated service.
He began his career at the Federal Penitentiary in Lewisburg, as a correctional officer and then as a masonry foreman.
Mr. Kavelak took a promotion as a general foreman to Leavenworth Federal Penitentiary in Leavenworth, Kan., and completed his career as a facility manager at the Federal Detention Center in Philadelphia.
He took pride in his work and was an exemplary employee who was a role model to many. He was respected and admired for his dedication and work ethic.
He loved vacations, beaches and spending time with friends and family. Family and friends were so fortunate to have been able to share his “Bucket List” wish by going to San Francisco with dear friends, Todd and Tracy Lozenski, this past March. Also, family and friends were able to take a special tour of Alcatraz with Mr. Kavelak, which was made possible by him being an employee of the Federal Prison system.
Mr. Kavelak was known for having an immaculate yard. He would spend hours making certain that it was cut, edged and trimmed to perfection. He was often teased, and then complimented for his outstanding landscape and even won a Yard Award when living in Kansas.
He had a smile that would light up a room and a belly laugh that was contagious. Whether singing Jesse’s Girl with a broomstick guitar or giving the ultimate bear hug, he was loved and adored by so many and everyone was better for having had him in their lives.
Family members would like to thank the many doctors, nurses and medical staff who worked tirelessly in an attempt to provide Mr. Kavelak with the highest quality of life for the length of his illness.
He was predeceased by his father, John E. Kavelak Jr. and his brother-in-law, David M. Seeley.
He is survived by and will be dearly missed by his adoring wife of 28 years, Jamie (Seeley) Kavelak; his son, Joshua David Kavelak; and his daughter, Haley Lynn Kavelak.
He is also survived by his loving mother, Mary Lou (Greslick) Kavelak; his sister, Cynthia (Kavelak) DeWald, her husband, Todd, and their three children, Hayden, Madison and Wyatt; his devoted in-laws, Charles J. Seeley and Ruth E. (Hann) Seeley; his niece, Stephanie (Seeley) Davie and her husband, Jestin. He is also survived by many aunts, uncles and cousins.
Friends and Family are invited to attend a visitation from 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. Sunday at Daniels & Hutchison Funeral Home, 212 N. Broad St., Middletown, DE 19709.
A Memorial Mass will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at the St. Joseph Catholic Church, 371 E. Main St., Middletown, DE. Burial will be private.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations to be sent to the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation, 383 Main Ave., Fifth Floor Norwalk, CT 06851.