Charles John Havel – was born in Shiner, Texas on January 18, 1929 and passed away peacefully October 8th, 2011 at home in Boerne with his family at his side. C.J as he was known by friends and family, was the youngest of four children, preceded in death by his parents –Joseph John Havel and Veronica Pavlovsky Havel, brother – Joe Havel of Detroit, MI; niece – Deborah Havel of Houston, Texas; nephew – Tommy Rihn and brother-in-law James “Jimmy” Rihn both of San Antonio. Charlie is survived by his loving wife of 58 years – Doris Lee Eldridge Havel, and their son Stephen “Steve” Havel, daughter-in-law Mary Kaznowski Havel and two grandsons he loved doting on: Mikhail Joseph Havel and Christian Marek Havel all of Boerne, TX. Anyone who knew Charlie knew the boys’ faces – if not by introduction surely through their worn out photos he carried in his breast pocket. He is also survived by his brother Frank and sister-in-law Junell Havel of Canyon Lake, TX., sister – Blanche “Bea” Rihn of San Antonio, TX, sister-in-law Rose Havel of Orion, MI; Donald and Pamela Havel (nephew and his wife), Dennis and Elizabeth Havel (nephew and his wife) Darrell Havel, Dean Havel, Michael Havel, Patrick Havel, Tommy Havel and Jonathon Havel(nephews), Karen Rihn Chernow and Mary Kay Havel (nieces); Grand-nieces Alyssa Hedge, Jamaya Havel and Mia Havel; grand-nephews Douglas Rihn and Bryan Havel and four great-grand nieces and nephews. His early childhood was spent on the family farm near Shiner which was the subject of fond memories. Growing up during the Great Depression did not dampen his spirit as he was seldom without his smile. In the 1940s his family moved to San Antonio, where he attended Little Flower School. Following high school he worked for Joskes of Texas as a delivery driver. In 1948 he joined the San Antonio Fire Department where he had a memorable career of 41 years. In 1950, he met Doris and they married in 1952. Charlie spent most of his professional career with the San Antonio Fire Department (SAFD) as an engineer, driving a pumper truck at Fire Station No. 7 “”The Rock” on Water and South Alamo. In 2002, to his delight No. 7 was decommissioned as a working firehouse and declared a historical Texas Landmark and turned into a museum displaying vintage fire engines, relics and photographs of famous historic fires and the fire-fighter that extinguished them (until the collection got too big and is being relocated to a larger building). Charlie was proud to be able to help identify faces in the old photos helping to chronicle many of its exhibits. Although he retired in 1986, Charlie regularly visited his fellow firefighters over a cup of coffee, bowl of chili or bar-b-que chicken. He was notorious for his cooking at the firehouse but seldom at home. Doris and Steve would often visit him on Sunday afternoons just to get a taste of his firehouse grub occasionally dining with some of his SAPD buddies having a plate or two of his scrumptious and filling cuisine. Charlie was so looking forward to one last ride on a pumper like the one he drove for 41 years. But the Fire Department’s Honor Guard unlike the armed services, is a luxury only afforded to union members and not all firefighters that made the sacrifice and for whatever reason, God only knows, my Dad was not a union man. Prior to his retirement, Charlie didn’t have much spare time. He spent his off duty hours managing his company “Havel’s Tree Service” for more than fifty years where he had countless loyal customers and employees most of which became life long friends. Concurrently he also served 23 years in the Army Reserves most with 4th Army, the 694th Engineers. Any spare time he had was invested on long road trip vacations, hunting, fishing, or helping someone in need with a hand. The latter gained the lion’s share of his spare time. Unlike most of us who are often in a hurry, Charlie welcomed a line to stand in – it gave him a chance slow down and visit. His unproclaimed motto was certainly that “he knew no strangers – only friends he hadn’t yet met.” Charlie lived the Gospels through his committed service, (professionally and philanthropically), devotion: grace before every meal, rarely missing a Sunday, Holy Day or friend’s Rosary and Funeral Mass. He was a life long Member of the KJT (Catholic Czech Fraternity) of Texas, the Bejar Caravan #56 of the International Order of the Alhambras, St. Paul’s Nocturnal Adoration Society, St. Paul’s School Finance Committee, A.C.T.S. Communities of St. Matthew’s and St. Peter’s in Boerne. He was also a longtime parishioner of St. Paul’s and St. Luke’s Catholic Churches in San Antonio and member of St. Peter the Apostle in Boerne since 2005. Although Charlie will surely be missed he’s left indelible impressions and will be fondly remembered for years to come. Can’t you hear him at heaven’s gate, talking to St. Peter…Jak se’ Máte! Hrajete dominem? Now he has an eternity to tell his stories…Charlie’s family wants to express their gratitude to Aurora – RN on 9th floor at Methodists Hospital, Helen Cotton and Jacob Boone with Odyssey Hospice and especially to Dr. Carlos E. Alvarez-Meraz. In lieu of flowers, you may make a donation in his memory to the SAFD Museum Society or charity of your choice.
Visitation: Wednesday, October 12th 6:00-7:00 PM at Sunset Northwest Funeral Home located at 6321 Bandera Road in San Antonio, followed by Rosary & Remembrance at 7:00 PM. Funeral Mass of the Resurrection will be held Thursday, October 13th at 10:00 A.M. at St. Peter’s Catholic Church located at 202 W. Kronkosky St in Boerne, TX, burial to follow at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery.
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