Edward R. Gavalek

Edward Richard Gavalek, age 86 of Plum, died peacefully on Saturday, April 5, 2025 in the presence of his family, one day before the anniversary of his wife's passing. Born July 10, 1938 at Braddock General Hospital. He was the beloved husband for 53 years of the late Dorothy Jane (Allenberg) Gavalek. Loving father of Edward (Chastity) Gavalek, the late Mary Beth "Betsy" Gavalek, Julianne Gavalek and Carole (Jim) Oplinger. Cherished grandfather of Michael (Rebecca), Conrad (Crystal), Nicholas (Amanda), Danielle, Katelyn, Lukas and Dakoata. Great-Grandfather to Sylas, Emmett and Raya. He is survived by his cats, Milo and Sarah. Preceded in death by his parents, Edward Conrad Gavalek and Cecilia Theresa Zdrojkowski.
Edward attended Sacred Heart Elementary and graduated from Braddock High School in 1956. He is an Alumni of Carnegie Mellon University, Point Park University and the University of Pittsburgh, and earned a Master's Degree in Information Science. A proud MENSA member, Edward took great joy in being the family's know-it-all, never missing an opportunity to share his vast (and often unsolicited) knowledge, oftentimes relayed in multiple languages. He was fluent in Polish, French, Spanish and Pittsburghese.
His career path included stops at the Union Railroad, Westinghouse, Allegheny Health and eventually the photo department at Walmart, where he also moonlighted as their official Santa Claus (a role he took very seriously, beard and all). In high school Edward was proud to have worked the ferris wheel in Kiddieland at Kennywood Park. He was an avid photographer, amassing a collection of images so vast it could easily be mistaken for the Library of Congress, if the Library of Congress also included 37 nearly identical photos of the same flower.
Edward was a wine connoisseur and passionate about many things; reading, photography, polka dancing with the love of his life, eating donuts, learning languages and traveling. He was an accomplished musician, loved playing the accordion and was a member of the Polka Dots. He also very much enjoyed making people laugh. Over the years he visited France, Italy, England, Austria, Germany and Ireland.
Edward was one of a kind: quick witted and always ready with a story or a strongly worded opinion. He was proud of his Braddock roots and his Polish heritage, and if you disagreed with him, he'd let you know (in all caps). We loved him deeply, rolled our eyes often, and wouldn't have changed a thing. Except maybe his posts that led to numerous stints in Facebook jail.
Edward's legacy will live on through his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and the tens of thousands of photographs, memories and moments he preserved. He will be missed more than words can say.
Friends and relatives will be received 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. on Friday, April 11th at MAURICE L. KNEE, LTD. FUNERAL HOME, 7663 Saltsburg Rd. (across from S & T Bank) Plum, PA 15239. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, April 12th at 10 a.m., Our Lady of Joy R. C. Church of Holy Family Parish. Entombment to follow in Braddock Catholic Cemetery.