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Virgil Colavitti Obituary

Colavitti, Virgil J.

Virgil J. Colavitti, 84, of Tunkhannock died Sunday at Geisinger Wyoming Valley. He was born in Kenosha, Wisconsin on April 9, 1930, son of the late Oswald and Mary Krines Colavitti.

He was an Air Force Veteran. Virgil retired from the Procter and Gamble Co. in 1995 after 43 years of service. He currently was working with South Central Engineering at the Mehoopany plant. He taught basic electrical training at Luzerne County Community College and Penn College in Williamsport and was a faithful member of the church of the Nativity BVM in Tunkhannock.

All who knew Virgil spoke of his intelligence, kindness, willingness to serve, and dedication to his family. His humble beginnings in farming and working with his hands eventually brought him to Charmin and P&G, where he was instrumental in the successful operation and installation of many projects. He was a beloved mentor to many people at the Mehoopany plant, even up to the weeks before his death. At home, he loved gardening, tinkering in his shop, and traveling and spending time with his children and grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Phyllis A. Colavitti. He is survived by sons and daughters-in-law David and wife Erika, of Tunkhannock, Christopher and wife Lisa of Tunkhannock, and Dana and wife Jo, of Portland, Oregon; daughter and son-in-law Laurie Mace and husband Bill, of Tunkhannock, daughters Lisa and Amy, both of Tunkhannock. He is survived by grandchildren Jennifer Mace, Lindsay Swick, Javier and Eric Perez, and Matthew and Joseph Colavitti; great-grandchildren Kayla and James Gavek and David Braydon Perez. His surviving siblings are brother, Eugene Colavitti, of Appleton, Wisconsin, and sisters Rose Ault, Joan Schmidt and Kathy Colavitti, all of Green Bay, Wisconsin.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday at 9:00 am from the Sheldon-Kukuchka Funeral Home Inc., 73 W. Tioga St., Tunkhannock, with Mass of Christian Burial at the Church of the Nativity BVM at 10 am. Interment will be in Sunnyside Cemetery, Tunkhannock. Friends may call at the funeral home on Wednesday evening from 6 to 8. Memorial contributions may be made to Nativity BVM, 99 E. Tioga St., Tunkhannock, PA. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.sheldonkukuchkafuneralhome.com.

Published by Green Bay Press-Gazette on Jul. 2, 2014.
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Memories and Condolences
for Virgil Colavitti

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To all the family; I am very sorry for your loss. Virgil, my father and mother have always held you in such high regard; however, I did not have the honor of spending much time with you. I did meet you a few times during my few years of working at P&G. I pray that you are spending time with my father now in heaven. My dad, William L. Hall passed in 2008 from Leukemia and he knew you very well. Kindest Regards,

William Hall

July 19, 2014

In mid 1969 I was transferred to the Mehoopany plant to take over the pulp mill. It was suffering major problems including frequent control problems that no one could figure out. Virgil suddenly appeared from Green Bay and after a long discussion about the problems went off in his very calm, professional way to "sort things out". After a few days he told me we had sulfur dioxide leaking into the control systems and most of them had to be replaced, a daunting task. Working with the other recovery task force members he got the job done and the pulp mill slowly recovered. His contribution was immense!
I was so glad to read that he continued to pass on his wonderful skills well after formal retirement.
My deepest sympathies to his family.

John Maguire

July 18, 2014

David, So sorry to hear of your dad's passing. You're in our thoughts and prayers.

Mark Bunney Sr.

July 13, 2014

Lisa and family,
I am very sorry in the loss of your dad. My prayers are with you.

Victoria Stefanko Lerew

July 8, 2014

Amy and family. May God bless and be with you during your time of sadness.

Arlette Zupko

July 3, 2014

Dad, I will forever love you from the moment you put a kiss in my chick, I knew then, I was going to be ok in the new world with new people. Your love and kindness to me and the boys made our life transition a smooth one. I once lost a father but God gave me the opportunity to have a second one, I love you and I will forever more cherish you until the day I see you again. You will always be in my heart. "Nurse Betty"

July 3, 2014

Lisa and family,
My condolences on the passing of your dad. Although I did not know him, the entries in this guest book paint your dad as a gentle and caring father.

Ron Vendetti

July 3, 2014

Kathy, I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. I will keep your family in my prayers that God will give all of you the strength you need.

Ellen Merriman

July 3, 2014

Virgil, a kind person, a warm caring person, a gentle tutor, an inspiration to us all. May God wrap His arms around his family, lift them up and bring them peace

Bob & Alida Priestner

July 3, 2014

To Chris and the Colavitti Family...I knew that when I needed help I could dial 777 and Virgil would be there. Virgil was a man who helped you extract your knowledge of a problem and added his own vast knowledge to help you. Virgil was one of the kindest, smartest Engineers I ever met. Virgil will be fondly remembered forever. He was truly "One of a Kind".

Joseph Yakoski

July 3, 2014

We're so sorry to hear of Virgil's passing. Your family, P&G, the community, etc., have lost an outstanding human being. Virgil was always willing to help anyone in any way he could. Our heartfelt condolences to his entire family.

Dick & Vicki Miller

July 2, 2014

I feel lucky to have know Virgil. He was truly one of a kind, and he's left a legacy in family and impact most people can only dream of leaving.

Ed McCormick

July 2, 2014

Chris and Family,

Very sorry for your loss.

Tom Elbich

July 2, 2014

Chris, Lisa, David, and family,
Virgil was a very special person. Hard working, kind, considerate and selfless. He was always there for me from my initial training to many years after "retiring":). He was the type of person most of us could only aspire to be. I'm sorry I won't be able to see you in person , but know that my thoughts and prayers are with you and your families. The great memories will last forever.
Fronz

John Fronzoni

July 2, 2014

To Virgil's family
I met your Dad when we both came to Tunkhannock to work at the plant. Your Dad was always the calm, collected one when the rest of us were rushing around trying to solve a problem. A great person and one I considered a good friend.

Jay Thompson

July 2, 2014

Laurie and Dave,
I was saddened to hear of the passing of your dad. Although I did not have the privilege of working with Mr. Colivitti, he always had a smile and a friendly wave for me at Nativity or when driving past my house. He will be missed...

Todd O.

July 2, 2014

Dave, Chris and all the Colavitti Family,
I'm very sorry to hear of Virgil's passing. A great man - a family man, friend, teacher, professional - what an example he set for all of us.

Joe Roman

July 2, 2014

I was very sorry to hear about Virgil. What an amazing man he was - a friend to many, always a twinkle in his eyes and a smile on his face. He will be remembered for his kindness to others and for being such a gentleman. May he rest in peace. My thoughts and prayers are with the entire family.

Deborah Caudell

July 2, 2014

Lisa,Dave and Amy
So sorry for the loss of your Father. All of your family will be in our prayers.

Don Malkemes

July 2, 2014

Dave, Chris and all of the Colavitti family: I'm sorry to hear of your Dad's passing.
There is definitely a new star shining in the heavens now.

Bob Pugh

July 2, 2014

To all the Colavitti family: I am so sorry for your loss. My love for him began when I was but a 13 year old and Rob's began the day he met him. He was a very special man with such a kind heart. Love, Aunt Janet & Uncle Rob

July 1, 2014

Lisa,
We are so sorry to hear of your Dads passing. May your memories be a comfort to you and your family in the coming days.

Jerry & Eileen Eckenrode

July 1, 2014

Lisa & Family,

I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. I remember your Dad as such a kind man. My heart goes out to you at this sad time. Be so grateful for all the wonderful memories.

Anna Creeden-Life

July 1, 2014

I had the pleasure of working with Virgil for many years in the Procter & Gamble Engineering organization. In addition to being an outstanding engineer, he was a kind and considerate person. He treated everyone with dignity, and I am proud to have known him. My sympathy to his family. He will be missed. Linda Traver

Linda Traver

July 1, 2014

Lisa and family, So sorry to hear of the loss of your dad. My prayers and love to all of you.

LeeAnn Wiernusz

July 1, 2014

I was sorry to learn of the death of your father. When my late husband, Rod and I were first married, we were neighbors. Rod and I worked at P&G and I know Rod thought a great deal of Virgil as did I. My condolences to the family.

Joan Brown

July 1, 2014

Lisa and family, We are so sorry for your loss. May God heal your hearts.

Susan Brabant Baxter

July 1, 2014

Lisa and family,

My condolences to you on the death of your father. I hope that good memories will comfort and sustain you at this sad time.

Shirley Cook Allan

July 1, 2014

Lisa and family,
I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your father. He was such a kind man with a gentle way about him. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.

Sharon Gilpin-Hisle

July 1, 2014

Please accept my condolences on your loss. I worked with Virgil for ten years in the engineering department at P&G. His support and help with capital projects guided me through the rest of my career with P&G and beyond. He will be fondly remembered and greatly missed.

Donald Rorick

July 1, 2014

Virgil was a mentor and a friend. I loved his calm and cool demeanor and can truly say I never heard him say a cross word. My condolences to family.

When we worked together at P&G I could always count on Virgil to help with electrical problems-no matter what time of day or night.

Jim Borden

July 1, 2014

Dave, Amy, and Family,
So sorry about the loss of your father! Even though we all know our time on this earth is finite, it never makes it easier when we lose a loved one. Rest assured he will always be with you in your memories, and now he is at peace with our Lord and with your Mom!

Jerry O.
You are in the thoughts and prayers of all your friends @ PG!

July 1, 2014

Virgil was truly one of the kindest human beings that has ever walked on this earth. I have been truly blessed to have him as a friend for many years and my children and I looked up to him as an example of fulfilling the human potential. His smile and twinkle of his eye warmed the heart and his kindness warmed the soul. This is a sad day ...he will be truly, deeply missed.

Maya Noble and family

July 1, 2014

To The Colavitti family I am so sorry for your loss. Virgil was a wonderful man and I enjoyed working with him. He will be greatly missed.

Karen Fluck

July 1, 2014

To Virgil's family, our sympathy. You children are a testiament of the teachings and the life your Mom and Dad lived. They were such a pleasure to know and will be missed but always remembered.
Bill and Eve Dieffenbach

July 1, 2014

To Virgil's family: You know how he was loved and how he will be missed. Shine On Virgil, you had a great run. To Virgil himself: Virgil, my years of working with you were always a treasure.

Amy Robinson

July 1, 2014

My deepest sympathy to the family. I worked with Virgil in Plant Engineering and agree that he was the kindest, sweetest man. And, I'm not surprised that he still worked almost to the end.

Dolores Childress

July 1, 2014

What an amazing man he was! Every time I had to deal with him he was willing to sit and explain or just sit and chat! He was truly a great person and will be missed.
Kimberly Wenrich

July 1, 2014

I am so very sorry for your loss. I certainly will miss seeing Virgil in the halls here at the plant - his smile was always a bright point in my day.

Julie Garrison

July 1, 2014

TO ALL THE FAMILY I SEND MY SYMPATHY. WHAT A GREAT MAN.IT WAS A PLEASURE TO KNOW YOU DAD AND MOTHER.

FREDA COOLBAUGH

July 1, 2014

Dave, You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.

George Bowers

George Bowers

July 1, 2014

our time with Virgil was always special, from work, to scouts, a basball game or just crossing paths, we always had fun chatting and learning. a very special man, we love you 4ever:) randy rachel randy and gab

Percival family

June 30, 2014

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