Edward Eddie Andrew Kruczek, Jr.

Edward Andrew Kruczek, Jr., of Austin, Texas passed away peacefully at home on February 28, 2013 after a courageous four-year battle with pancreatic cancer. He was born in Donora, Pennsylvania on January 15, 1950.

Eddie married the love of his life Loraine Kozma on January 30, 1971 and spent 8 years of service in the United States Navy. Following his military service, he and Lori and their son Daniel settled in Austin where he had a long professional career with Lockheed Martin and Dell Computers.

Eddie's passions were his family, his faith, and service to others. He was an active member of St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church in Austin, where he recently served as Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus. He worked tirelessly to promote pro-life causes and give back to the community by serving as a sponsor to engaged couples and participating in programs such as Habitat for Humanity. Eddie was an avid outdoorsman, having loved hunting, fishing, archery, and sharing these passions with his family. Other hobbies included traveling, playing golf, dog training, and watching his favorite football teams, the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Texas A&M Aggies. Most importantly, Eddie was a devoted husband, father and grandfather and generously gave the gift of his constant presence and love to his family.

Eddie is preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Helen Kruczek and in-laws, Joseph and Anna Kozma. He will be lovingly remembered by his family, including his wife of 42 years, Lori, son Daniel, daughter-in-law Stephanie, and grandchildren Cate and Rand, all of Austin; siblings Jan and Bob Delsandro of Monongahela, PA; Tom and Dee Kruczek of La Plata, MD; Jim and Louise Kruczek of Donora, PA; and Mark Kruczek and JoAnn Bellora of Monessen, PA; 11 nieces and 1 nephew.

Eddie and his family would like to thank the following caregivers: Dr. Alexandra Phan and Susie Bullock at MD Anderson; Dr. Roger Fain, Mary Dickson, Sharon Bailey, and Bob Stuifbergen at Texas Oncology; and his Hospice Austin team, Patty, Charlotte, Deborah, and Peg.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Knights of Columbus KC8156, 4800 Convict Hill Road, Austin, TX 78749; Hospice Austin, 4107 Spicewood Springs Road Suite 100, Austin, TX 78759; or The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, P.O. Box 4486, Houston, TX 77210-4486.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M., Monday, March 4, 2013, at Cook-Walden/Forest Oaks Funeral Home, with a Vigil Service at 7:00 P.M. A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 A.M., Tuesday, March 5, 2013 at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church, 4800 Convict Hill Road. Interment will be at Cook-Walden/Forest Oaks Memorial Park.

A memorial service to celebrate Eddie's life will be held on Saturday, April 6, 2013 at Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church in Donora, PA.

I’m Free

Don't grieve for me, for now I'm free.

I'm following the path God laid, you see.

I took His hand when I heard him call.

I turned around and left it all.

I could not stay another day,

To laugh, to love, to work or play.

Tasks left undone must stay that way,

I've found the peace on a sunny day.

If my parting has left a void,

Then fill it with remembered joys.

A family shared, a laugh, a kiss,

Oh yes, these things, I too, will miss.

Be not burdened with times of sorrow,

I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow.

My life's been full, I savored much,

Good friends, good times, a loved one's touch.

Perhaps my time seemed all too brief.

Don't lengthen it now with undue grief.

Lift up your hearts and peace to thee.

God wanted me now; He set me free.

~ Unknown ~