Harry D. Gundaker

Born January 13, 1931, in Lancaster, PA, he was the son of Alverna Rineer and Albert Gundaker. He came to Tampa as a young man, serving in the U.S. Air Force from 1948-1953, stationed at MacDill Air Force Base. In Tampa, he met, fell in love with, and married Sheila Gayle Hopkins, a marriage that would last 61 years. Upon discharge from the Air Force, Harry became a City of Tampa firefighter and paramedic, a role for which he was well-suited, retiring after 25 years. He then became Head of Maintenance and Grounds for Independent Day School and held that position for 15 years, earning the love and respect of colleagues and schoolchildren, because Harry was a “Master Craftsman of the Hands, Heart, and Spirit.”

Harry is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Sheila. He was “Dad” to daughter and son-in-law, Donna Gayle and Jim Kellogg; son and daughter-in-law, Harry Steven and Teresa Gundaker; and, daughter, Linda Gundaker. He was “PawPaw” and “Peeps” to grandchildren, Beth Van Fleet, Brian Van Fleet, Erica Boettger, Nick Boettger, Bill Kellogg, and David Kellogg. He was “Cutie Pie” to sisters-in-law, Pat Segers and Martha Faulk, and “Uncle Harry” to many, many nieces and nephews.

Gonzalez Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. A memorial service will be held at Independent Day School, 12015 Orange Grove Drive, Tampa, FL, 33618, on Sunday, July 8, 2012, at 3:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to either:

LifePath Hospice, 12973 Telecom Parkway, Suite 100, Temple Terrace, FL, 33637, www.lifepath-hospice.org/

OR

Tampa Fire Museum, www.tampafiremuseum.org/

720 Zack Street, Tampa, FL, 33602

Whether online or by mail, please mark your donation “In Memory of Harry Gundaker.”