Richard Pavlik

CHESHIRE - Richard P. "Dick" Pavlik, 75, passed away May 9, 2012 surrounded by his loving family at Mid-State Medical Center in Meriden, following a brief illness. He was the husband of Suanne L. (Scott) Pavlik.

Dick, or "Richie" as he was known by his family, was born September 5, 1936 in Bridgeport, the son of the late John and Mary (Marcisovsky) Pavlik. He was a 1954 graduate of Warren Harding High School in Bridgeport before serving his country in the U.S. Air Force. He was a Korean War Veteran obtaining the Good Conduct Medal. While serving in Japan he trained in Kodokan Judo of Japanese origin and obtained his Black Belt Second Grade. After being honorably discharged from the Air Force, he obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Bridgeport.

Richie was a Special Agent with A.T.F. for 25 years until his retirement in 1986. He was a longtime Cheshire resident where he was a parishioner of St. Thomas Becket Church.

Richie was an avid hunter, fisherman and enjoyed photography. He was a member of the Meriden Rod and Gun Club where he obtained lifetime membership as well as being recognized as "Outstanding Member of the Year". He was an expert field dog trainer and co-founded the Central Connecticut Spaniel Club in Simsbury.

Besides his wife of 51 years, Richie is survived by his daughters Pamela Ells and her husband Richard of York, ME, Jana Gurzenda and her husband Mike of Plantsville, and Karla Ryan and her husband Mark of Watertown; his six favorite grandchildren Peter, Mary, Jack and Noah Ryan as well as Melissa and Mickey Gurzenda. He was predeceased by his daughter Tanya and his brothers John and Bobby.

Arrangements - Funeral services will be held on Monday May 14, 2012, 9:15 from the Alderson Funeral Home of Cheshire, 615 S. Main St. to St. Thomas Becket Church for Mass at 10 a.m. Burial will follow in St. Bridget Cemetery. Calling hours will be held on Sunday from 4 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Prospect V.F.W. Post 8075, 218 Cheshire Rd., Prospect, CT 06712 or to the National Multiple Sclerosis Soc., CT Chapter, 659 Tower Ave., 1st Floor, Hartford, CT 06112.

Eulogy

Granny, we would just like to report that Dad was on time for his funeral.

According to Merriam Webster, a hero is a noun meaning: one noted for courage or greatness. But if you ask our mom, the man she married, Richard Pavlik, was her hero. Known as "Rich" or "Richie" to family, and as "Dick Pavlik", "Padlock", or " 'Lick" to colleagues and friends, he was Mom's hero because of how he lived his life.

Our dad grew up in the projects of Bridgeport known as the Yellow Mill Village. His love of swimming led him to become a lifeguard. He saved at least one life at Seaside Park in Bridgeport with his strong swimming. Not only was he a skilled lifeguard, but he was a "real looker" too, with his athletic build, bronze tan, and twinkling blue eyes. Right out of high school, he served in the U.S. Air Force as a Supply Officer stationed in Japan during the Korean War. After obtaining his college education at the University of Bridgeport, he married Suanne and moved to Cheshire. They started their family, and he began his career as a Special Agent for the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF), serving his country for the next 25 years.

For those unfamiliar with the life of an ATF agent, allow us to illustrate. When we girls were young, Daddy traveled a lot as a Sky Marshal. This meant traveling undercover aboard international flights, armed and ready to take down terrorists, who in those days were referred to as "guerillas." We can't really fathom how our mom coped, not knowing when or if Daddy would return, all the while maintaining a "normal" environment for 3 girls, 2-3 dogs, and caring for the house. When Daddy did return, it was often like being in a James Bond movie: Daddy may return tan, or his dark hair would look long now with red highlights and long Johnny Cash sideburns.

We all remember the Christmas that came a day late. Santa Claus brought presents on December 25th, but we didn't open them until after midnight on December 26th when Daddy finally got home. How Mom pulled that one off with her sanity intact is still a mystery to us! In fact, early on Mom had to learn how to fly by the seat of her pants. She remembers being at one of the Lewis girls' bridal shower and being paged for a telephone call. (This was before cell phones.) She had to go home right then to be with us girls, because Daddy was packing and headed for Vermont that night to guard another presidential candidate.

As an agent, Daddy guarded such notable figures as the United Nations Secretary General and several presidential candidates. He guarded Ronald Reagan during his "1,000 Mile Train Ride" as he campaigned across the Midwest. And he called Gerald Ford "a real gentleman." President Ford remembered meeting Daddy previously when Daddy guarded him during his re-election campaign.

To many people who met our dad, he was memorable. There were certain characteristics about him that made him memorable, not the least of which was his sense of humor. Our dad was a prankster who enjoyed green vampire teeth and fake bloodshot eyeballs. You never knew when he was going to poke his head into your room with the eyeballs on, just for a laugh. He had fun sharing his antics with his fellow agents as well. Poor Claire, the New Haven ATF office secretary! She fell victim more than once to finding Daddy's plastic puke placed strategically in her top desk drawer. Or the fake poop! The boss wasn't even safe - he got the rubber snake, as well as the following: though our dad may have been a "looker," he was never really a "dresser." He preferred t-shirts and jeans. Dressed up to him was a 1970's western shirt with pearly snaps on the pockets and, well, dungarees. So when the boss told him the top brass were coming in for a meeting and he was expected to dress appropriately, he was prepared. He had this tie. It would best be described as fat, gaudy, and loud. He kept this tie in his desk drawer. When he got word about such a meeting, he grabbed his hideous accessory and wrapped it around his neck. This snappy dress code wasn't reserved just for the office either. He attended at least one grandchild's Baptism decked out in jeans and his favorite hunting vest.

Something about our dad that everyone knew was his love of the outdoors, hunting, and fishing. When he retired, this love brought him to his new vacation home, the Meriden Rod and Gun Club. He frequented it 365 days a year yes, even on Christmas! And he liked to bring the outdoors inside; we're not talking cut flowers here. How many people can boast a deer leg lamp or a wild boar mounted on their living room wall? His collection of trophies became affectionately known by his colleagues as "Pavlik's Dead Zoo." But he cooked everything he shot or caught. In the hospital, we learned our Granny's sister, Aunty Anna, was actually afraid to eat at our house because she was never quite sure what Richie would be serving. Boar kabobs, turtle soup, or squirrel cacciatore anyone? To his credit, his pheasant spread was a party favorite. He was an excellent cook, even if no one else was brave enough to try certain dishes.

Our dad was also a superb dancer, and so were his brothers. As children, we remember dancing on top of Dad's feet in the living room. As teens at the Lewis daughters' weddings, we remember our dad and our uncles spinning us around the dance floor. They made any awkward adolescent feel like a princess.

Dad always instilled a strong sense of family in us, be it blood or the honorary aunts and uncles like Rita and Jeep, the Lewises, and the Companiks. It seemed we were always going to Bridgeport for one occasion or another. Dad, Pam, and Marlene shared the same birthday, and we had countless Labor Day picnics to celebrate in the National Forestry Reserve, a.k.a. our humble backyard! During these early years, Dad began to taste-test all Mom's cooking before it was served, "just to make sure it was safe to eat," he would say. One antic in particular was so popular with us and all our cousins that, much to our Mom's consternation, became his signature move. Most families light birthday candles on a cake, sing, and snap pictures. Not OUR dad! For as long as we remember, every birthday cake that Mom ever baked, decorated, and proudly displayed was fair game for Dad sneaking up, always in front of his delighted daughters, and taking a big honking bite out of the side - just to make sure it was safe to eat, we can't have anyone getting sick! This became such a tradition that we girls started doing it ourselves, and began posing for the traditional photo while taking a bite. At his 60th birthday party, he walked up to the cake in the hall, leaned over the cake, posed for the picture and disappointed us a little by NOT taking the traditional bite. I think that was the only one that got away.

Those strong family ties are what brought us all together during his last days. None of us wanted Dad to die alone, and we took turns at his side. Mom and we girls spent hours and days around his bed, comforting him and remembering some of the very good ol' times we just shared with you. One night, in his darkened room, we softly sang him Christmas carols to help him fall asleep. Jana and Mike, and Karla and Mark, brought in 6 very brave grandchildren to say, "I love you" to Grandpa one last time. Even though Dad could not speak anymore, he could hear our kind words, feel our gentle touch, and know he was loved right to the very end. Mom had some private time with her hero, still as courageous as he had always been. Finally, we girls prepared to spend the night. At one point Pam, who had shared birthdays her whole life with her sweet dad, was alone with him, holding his hand, when he took his last breath.

The time we all had this week was a precious gift from God, both heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time. Dad was loved, and we made sure he knew it.

Richard Pavlik - you were a Special Agent for the U.S. Government. To your family, friends, and Scooter, you will forever remain in our hearts a SPECIAL husband, father, grandfather, godfather, uncle, cousin, friend, and doggy daddy . . .