Joseph Kvarda

Joseph C. Kvarda will forever be remembered by his adoring family and friends, and his adventurous spirit will live on through the many lives he touched so deeply. Joe passed away on Saturday, August 21, 2004, at Harrison Hospital in Bremerton, Washington, surrounded by his loving family. He fought a courageous battle against multiple myeloma without complaint and never allowed the disease or treatments to diminish his desire to live each day to the fullest. He greeted this world in Baltimore, Maryland, on March 13, 1934, the devoted second son of James A. and Agnes M. Kvarda and younger brother of James E. Kvarda. In 1951, he graduated from Mount St. Joseph High School in Baltimore. Then, despite a recommendation to write lyrics for musical comedies, he obtained his BS in electrical engineering at Drexel University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1957. While supporting his loving wife and young children, he continued his studies and received his MS in electrical engineering from Drexel in 1962. A dedicated employee to several companies throughout his career, his talent and hard work garnered many promotions. Joe retired early from his final position of Vice President at ITT Gilfillan to fulfill his passion for adventure and sailed the high seas on a 46' sailboat with his favorite first mate, best friend and love of his life - his wife, Shirley. Their travels on Windy Dancer took them from the western shores of Mexico to the northern waters of Prince William Sound in Alaska. After seven years of cruising the Pacific Ocean, they decided to become landlubbers again and purchased a home in Allyn, Washington. Joe, however, was not one to sit idle. After building out the basement in their new home, he focused his attention on a passion from his earlier days, model railroading. He constructed an amazing model railroad track, one that captured the admiration of all that have seen it. Joe was a faithful member of Prince of Peace Parish and generously shared his time volunteering at the North Mason County Food Bank. He was not alone in these ventures, as he always enjoyed having his wife by his side, no matter what the activity. Their relationship was one for which others could only hope. Joe leaves behind Shirley, his beautiful bride of 47 years. Together, they had the love, compassion and patience to raise six devoted and successful children: Teresa DeBruno of Calabasas, California; Michael Kvarda of Newbury Park, California; David Kvarda of Lake Havasu City, Arizona; Katherine Tabor of San Jose, California; Karen Bechtel of San Jose, California; and Lisa Kvarda of Mountain View, California. Joe also considered his children's spouses to be his own and he will be greatly missed by Roger DeBruno, Jr., Laurie Kvarda, Bart Tabor, Trevor Bechtel and Chris Quenelle. The family's greatest regret is that Joe's seven grandchildren - Ashley, Brandon, Sean, Taylor, Samantha, Joseph and Jessica - will no longer have the gift of Joe's knowledge, kindness and laughter in their lives. Joe leaves all who knew him with fond memories of their times together and his passion for humor and practical jokes. A memorial service will be held at a later date in Southern California. In lieu of flowers, Shirley requests donations be made in remembrance of Joe to the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF), 51 Locust Avenue, Suite 201, New Canaan, CT 06840.