Stephen J. Kavulich

1945 - 2021

Stephen J. Kavulich of Clarks Summit passed away peacefully on Saturday, March 20, 2021. He was 75 years of age. He is survived by his wife of 41 years, the former Joanne DeLeo.

He was born in Scranton on Dec. 25, 1945 (a Christmas baby), to the late Stephen J. and Anne Darlak Kavulich, their only child.

Stephen was a 1963 graduate of Scranton Preparatory School. He graduated from the University of Scranton with a B.S. in business and accounting. He received his M.B.A. from Marywood University in finance and investment and was a graduate of the PA Bankers School at Bucknell University.

Upon graduation from college, he enlisted in the United States Navy, serving in active duty during the Vietnam War and later joined the United States Naval Reserves, together serving more than 20 years. He was a reward recipient for outstanding service to U.S. Navy Reserves. Rich in kindness and fidelity, he belonged to the Knights of Columbus as a 4th Degree Knight. He held offices and received numerous awards in many fraternal organizations and community organizations. He was a very humble individual, a true ambassador of kindness, patience, compassion and understanding. He was a powerhouse of knowledge and numbers. His interests and enjoyment were work, his family and his faith. He was a very dedicated husband and father. A devout Catholic, he served many years as a lector and Eucharistic minister.

He was a hard worker from a very young age. He worked in his family grocery business growing up and developed a work ethic hard to find. He started his professional career working in Philadelphia for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in insurance, and later moved to Baltimore, Md., working at the accounting firm, Gross Mendelsohn and Weiler. Upon returning to Northeast Pennsylvania, he worked at Samuel M. Fisher Comp., Northeastern Bank of PA (PNC) and First National Community Bank (FNCB), where he retired as an executive vice president of loan administration and compliance.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by two sons, Stephen N. Kavulich and wife, Alexandra, Connecticut, and Mark A. Kavulich and wife, Cara, New York. He is also survived by two grandsons, William (Will) A. Kavulich and Callum (Cal) S. Kavulich; as well as a brother-in–law, Dr. Caesar A. DeLeo and wife, Elizabeth, Chicago; nieces, a nephew and several cousins on both sides; and three living aunts.

He was preceded in death by his parents and several uncles, aunts and cousins.

The funeral will be Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. at Our Lady of the Snows Parish, 301 S. State St., Clarks Summit, with a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated by Monsignor Joseph G. Quinn, pastor. Due to COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, there will be no viewing. Interment, Cathedral Cemetery Mausoleum with military honors.

Those wishing to attend the Mass are asked to observe all social distancing protocols, including wearing a mask and maintaining social distances. For those unable to attend, the service will be broadcasted via Zoom and the link found on the funeral home website.

This year has been a year of challenges. The future as always is unclear. Therefore our only option is to lead a life of kindness. As Mark Twain once said, "Kindness is a language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see."

In lieu of flowers and in keeping with the spirit of Steve, he would wish that others would be ambassadors of sincere kindness, patience, understanding and compassion for others. Do a good deed.

For directions or to leave an online condolence, visit the funeral home website. Stephen's care has been entrusted to Jennings-Calvey Funeral and Cremation Services Inc., 111 Colburn Ave., Clarks Summit, PA 18411.