Gary Knafelc Obituary

Always remember the wonderful Dad, Husband and Friend that he was to all before his illness. He loved you very much, always keep that thought in your hearts..

Lynete-



I foud out about Guy's passing this weekend from Tim Lawrence. Unfortunately, I was too late to attend the wake or services. I know that its been a long time since we have seen each other, but Guy's passing hit me very hard. We had shared many good times together. As always at a time like this, I wish we would have kept in touch. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with Guy, you and your family. If there is anything that I can do, please do not hesitate to contact me.



Jim Ford

Dear Lauren and Gary,

At the funeral mass when Father Gavin asked us to share memories of your dad I wondered what I could possibly tell you that you don't already know, but here goes. I can't count how many times we've been at your house for different occasions - christening, birthday, 1st communion, graduation, and the always friendly but rather loud Sunday afternoons when your mom and dad would invite a group of us over to watch the Packers play the Bears. One thing that always stands out about your dad is that no matter how many people there were, he always went out of his way to make you feel truly welcome, he took the time to talk to everyone, he always made you feel that you mattered and that he was glad you were there! I hope that you will always remember what a big heart he had and that you and your mom held a very special place in it. Your mom and I have been friends for over 30 years and have been there for each other in good times and in bad. We've laughed together and unfortunately have cried together but it has taught us that we can count on each other. Please remember that there are a lot of people who love you and are here for you.

Love, Beth

Dear Lynette,



Our deepest sympathies go out to you and your family. It's been about two years since Joe and Guy worked together at COS, but everyone has fond memories of their times together. May you and your family stay strong and know that God takes care of all.



Joseph, Pamela, Joey, and Grant Eatman

Lynette, stay strong the kids need you now more than ever. Hope you know how much Guy truly loved and depended on you. I am very thankful for the time I spent working as Guy's assistant at Haworth. I learned a lot from him. I'll keep you, Lauren, and Little Guy in my prayers.

Guy and I worked together at Haworth for over 10 years and shared many wonderful times while attending meetings in Holland and the Neocon show in Chicago. During those years we became friends and he and Lynette let me stay at their house during a house hunting trip to Chicago when Haworth had asked me to consider a move. We often discussed our kids and coaching their various teams, I know how much he enjoyed that. I am so sorry to hear the news and wish Lynette and the kids all the best in the future and I'm positive Guy will be looking over them.

Guy was the ultimate soccer fan. We will always remember him as the dad on the sidelines with a cooler full of diet soda (one in his hand at all times too), some juice for Gary and a bag full of sweet treats for all. His infamous pleas to the referee “But SIR….”, “OH, SIR…”, “Come on SIR!”. He would constantly be coaching Lauren’s skills from the sidelines, sometimes to her dismay. He was always there! In between traveling games he coached Gary in soccer. Yes, he really did love coaching his kids, watching his kids and cheering on his kids!

In contrast to his sports life, he was a quiet person at social events. Rus and I both had an opportunity to get to know him and we enjoyed his sense of humor and quick wit. We will always have good memories of Guy. I’m sure he will continue to watch over you all.

Rus and Kathy Zitny

It was around 5th grade that I met Lauren and soon the Knafelc’s opened their arms and brought me into their family. The times I shared with them have left me with many memories. It wasn’t long before I called Mrs. Knafelc my other “mom” and it was during this time that I had the privilege to get to know Mr. Knafelc. He would wake up around dawn to get us to soccer on time and stand on the sideline cheering us on with my dad. I would never have gotten to be on a traveling team if it wasn’t for him, and I never would have had anywhere to stay on those trips if it wasn’t for your family. He had an infectious laugh that you couldn’t help but smile or laugh along. I could never forget if I tried all the times he made fun or joked around with me, he did it often and even I must admit he was good at it without him Gary would never have learned to call me “Smelly Kelly” whenever I walked into the room. I hope when all is said and done and our tears have dried we can remember him with a smile at those good times. I only wish you all were as lucky as I was to get to know this man as I knew him and as we loved him.

Dear Knafelc family,

We were so sorry to hear of your loss. Guy was an amazing leader to us both at HMWR and COS.

It was a beautiful ceremony and was wonderful to hear about the personal side of him (one that we didn't see at work).

You are in our thoughts.

Pam and Mike Pusateri

Dear Lynette: I am so sorry to hear about Guy's passing. I remember when you and Guy came to Toledo years ago and he and Archie talked all afternoon. My heart goes out to you and your children and you will be in my prayers every day.



With love,



auntie Tootsie

Dearest Lynette. We are deeply saddened to learn of Guy's unexpected death. Bernie sent me the obituary. Ken and I were absolutely shocked to hear this awful news. Please know you are in our thoughts and prayers.



Love,



Rosie & Kenny

Lynette, Lauren, & Gary,



I was very sorry to hear about the loss of your husband and father. My thoughts and prayers are with you. I know you know he's in a very good place. I hope each day gets a little bit easier for you.



I had the pleasure to work with Guy for a couple years at Haworth. On the day I went into Guy's office to announce my resignation(April, 1992), Lauren had come into work with Guy to spend the day with her Dad. I asked Guy if it was OK to talk to him with Lauren present. He said sure go ahead. So with Lauren sitting on her father's lap, I proceeded to tell Guy of my plans to resign and accept another job offer. At the end of my speech, he said very warmly "congratulations to you...you made a good decision". His kindness that day is something I will never forget.

I will always cherish the great years and wonderful times that Guy brought into my life, Lori's too. I first met Guy April 30th, 1984, my first day at Haworth. We shared many, many times together. Guy is really the one I attribute my many successful years at Haworth. Without Guy's help, I would not have achieved the success I did. We also shared many wonderful social outings. One of the best was when Guy and I went to New York for business meetings with LaSalle Bank and Lynette and Lori came along. Some of the best 3 days ever. Guy, I will always remember you. Watch over Lynette, Lauren and Gary. We love you.

Lynette,

I am sorry I was not at the funeral to pay my respects. I just hear the sad news today...a day too late. I worked with Guy when we were both at Haworth, Chicago division. I have some fond and good memories of those "hay days" with Guy. He was the boss but we all enjoyed working for him. My deepest sympathy to you and your children for your loss.

my deepest sympathy It was my pleasure to have worked with Guy

Dear Lynnette & family,

My deepest sympathies -

I will never forget Guy - he was so caring and compassionate to me when I was having chemo treatments. Your family is in my thoughts and prayers.

Lynnette,Lauren,&Gary

Our deepest sympathy for your loss.

We will keep all of you in are prayers.

Dear Knafelc family,

I’d like to share a story with you about the huge impact that Guy had on me about nine years ago. I will be forever grateful to him for taking the extra step that changed the course of my family’s life.



Although I had been introduced to Guy when I was working for Haworth in St. Louis, I was quite sure that he would not recognize me or my name much past the date of our brief introduction. Shortly after we met I made the decision to leave Haworth for a new challenge, a forgettable career move that had me unemployed within a year. One month after I lost my job, my husband also lost his job. There we were with a 7 year old son, a mortgage and no income in a city where we had no family nearby and only a few acquaintances to call friends.



After weeks of phone calls and discouraging interviews, I received a call from B.O.S. in Chicago wanting to know if I’d be interested in interviewing for an open position. Apparently Guy had seen my resume on a desk while visiting Haworth’s corporate office and had remembered me well enough to pick up a copy and bring it back to B.O.S. It happened to be just the challenge I was searching for, and the last 9 years in Chicago have been very blessed ones for my family and me.



I owe a debt of gratitude to Guy, the salesperson, for being nosey enough to read the mail on somebody else’s desk.



I owe debt a gratitude to Guy, the people person, for remembering my name and for recognizing the assets of an easy to-overlook, quiet, low key personality.



Most of all, I owe a debt of gratitude to Guy, a truly good person, who could have easily left my resume sitting on that desk at Haworth (to be thrown in a trash can by day’s end no doubt). Although the effort required was minimal, few people would care enough or take the initiative to get involved as he did.



I will always remember Guy for reminding me that life is a participative sport. No matter how trivial a contribution may seem at the time, it could be the game altering point for somebody … like me.



May God give you strength, and help you remember all the good things that Guy brought to your lives.

Lynnette,

Though we have seen each other infrequently over the past few years and usually at class reunions, we remember all the good times we all shared at those meetings!There were plenty of smiles and laughter as we remembered all the antics of high school and beyond. We are sorry we couldn't be with you, but please know you are in our thoughts and prayers.Your friends in Green Bay will always be there for you and the kids.

Murray, Anne, Hillary and Emily Basten

My consolences to Lynette and the extended Knafelc family in the loss of my friend, Guy. Although we hadn't spoken much in the last couple years, I very much enjoyed working with Guy during his years at Haworth and BOS. He approached his work with gusto and humor, and was fun to work with and win with. His competitive nature made him successful in the business world. He will be missed, I have fond memories of our good times together. Rest in Peace, Guy.

To the Family of Guy Knafelc,

On behalf of myself, Pat Jacklin and the entire staff of Nordon, we wish to express our deepest sympathy. We enjoyed working with Guy, while Guy was with Haworth. We will keep you in our thoughts and prayers.

Dear Lynnette, Lauren, and Gary;

Our deepest heartfelt sympathy goes out to you. We will never forget Guy's kindness and sense of humor.

Love, Dan and Carol

I am so sorry to hear about your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your children.



Cheryl

Special Green Bay prayers and wishes to Guy's family and friends. Our thoughts are with each of you.

-A "thirty year ago" friend and classmate.

With our deepest sympathies, to you and your children. God Bless your family.

Mark & Carol Faulkner

Lynette,

With my deepest sympathy. Even though Guy and I hadn't spoken in a while, I thought of him often and of the terrific times that we had in Chicago. Playing football, drinking beer, and laughing until we slapped our knees so hard that it would hurt to walk the next day. God bless you and your family.



Sincere Regards,



Duane and Graham Lucas

Lynette, I worked with Guy for a few years with BOS/Haworth. I learned very much from him and I will always remember the enthusiasm he brought to the project team. Please accept my deepest sympathy I know this is a very difficult time for you.



Bruce

Lynette, Lauren and Gary, May our prayers,our thoughts and your wonderful memories fill your hearts with love and peace for Gary and for your family now and forever. God Bless. Dave, Marianne and Jake Rancic

We send our deepest consolences to you Lynnette and your 2 children. Our prayers, our thoughts, and deepest sympathy is with you.

Jim Harkins and Family

Menasha

Lynette,



I enjoyed my time working with Guy at Haworth and loved his sense of humor as well as his talents in the business world, he was with me during a very difficult time in my life and I will never forget that. My thoughts and prayers are with you and the girls at this time. God Bless and please accept my deepest sympathy I know this is a very difficult time for you.

Michele

Lynnette, Lauren and Gary,



Our thoughts and prayers are with you!

Jim,Karen,Heather,Christopher and Florence McClain send their sympathy to Guy's family.May god bless him and his family.

The Phelan Family

The Phelans send their deepest sympathy to the Knafelc Family.We will miss Guy very much.Lynnette,Guy ,Lauren and Gary and their entire family will be in our prayers.

Our thoughts are with the family during this difficult time. We will always remember Guy's wonderful sense of humor as well as Chuck and Guy's time together as coworkers at Haworth.

I always remember Guy who was in the Spanish and athletic programs at Premontre during his high school years. He was a member of the first freshman class that I had in Spanish for a four-year cycle starting in 1971. His antics in class will be remembered by classmates such as Bob Pauly, Ed McVey, Bob Moore, Dan Lontkowski, etc.



Condolences to Greg, another of my long-term Green Bay Spanish students, and to the whole family.

__________

Guy, espero que descanses en paz.



Br. Terrence Lauerman, O.Praem.

St. Norbert Abbey, De Pere

Illinois Institute of Art, Chicago

Lynette, Lauren, & Gary,



We are so sorry... May the peace that Guy has most certainly found make its way into your hearts and lives. Whatever you need, whenever you need, we are here. Love,

Ed, Penny, Carlie & Christopher

Our deep thoughts, prayers, wonderful memories and all good wishes to the family -

Diane Schroeder & Mitchell Cohen

Our sympathy to the family