(See classmate memories below)
Paul E. Bekavac, age 74, of Gibsonia and Key West, FL, and formerly of Clairton, passed away on Thursday, February 4, 2021 at home. He was a retired funeral director and owner of the Paul E. Bekavac Funeral Home in Elizabeth. He attended the University of Notre Dame until his father’s untimely death in 1965, and furthered his education at Duquesne University and the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science. Upon his retirement in 2004, he relocated to Key West to follow his life long love of fishing. Born March 1, 1946 in Pittsburgh, he was a son of the late Anthony J. and Elvira Y. “Patty” (Yavor) Bekavac. He is survived by his partner and best friend, Teri Dulac of Gibsonia; daughter, Heather (Michael) Lutz of Pleasant Hills; sons, Tony (Rachel) Bekavac of Pleasant Hills and Paul E. Bekavac, Jr. of New York, NY; grandchildren, Cole, Preston and Ava Lutz and Anthony & Andre Bekavac; sister, Nancy Y. Bekavac of Washington, DC; brother, Daniel F. (Patti) Bekavac of Elizabeth Twp.; nephew, Daniel F. (Tara Jayant) Bekavac, Jr. of South Park; niece, Chloe (Jason) Fox of Damascus, MD; also, great-nephews and cousins. Friends will be received in the Paul E. Bekavac Funeral Home, Elizabeth, on Monday, February 8, 2021 from 1-4 and 6-8 PM. In order to comply with Covid-19 restrictions, guests are required to wear masks and follow CDC social distancing guidelines. Although we are thankful and appreciative of all who will come, we ask for these services, with the pandemic and our need to take care of our own family, that visitors limit themselves to a reasonable time. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, February 9, 2021 at 10 AM in St. Joachim & Anne Parish, St. Michael Church with Rev. Thomas A. Wagner officiating. EVERYONE PLEASE MEET AT THE CHURCH. Burial to follow in Round Hill Cemetery, Elizabeth Twp. Memorial contributions may be made in Paul’s name to Gateway Rehabilitation, 100 Moffett Run Road, Aliquippa, PA 15001.
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Memories of Notre Dame friends:
Tom Weyer: Some sad news, my roommate from freshman year in Keenan Hall, Paul Becavac from Clairton Pa, passed away this morning following a long battle with pancreatic cancer.Many of you won’t remember Paul because he left after freshman year, following the death of his Dad,Tony. He went home and ran the family business at 19. He did it well, growing the business dramatically. His younger brother Dan attended ND and ND law school. Paul always Remembered Keenan Hall..and the Chicago Guys… He said that freshman year was the best year of his life….I never had the heart to tell him ..It got “much better”. He was a fighter…he will be missed…
Ed Lewis: I was sad to hear we lost another of our classmates which Paul definitely was. When we lose someone it is important to remember happier days.. I hope everyone who had the good fortune to know Paul remembers how Paul used to give haircuts. Paul with a sly smile would have shaggy customers lie down on his bed for a good haircut because he explained he learned to cut hair at the family funeral home and all of those dead customers were laying down! Paul,Rest In Peace. Everyone stay safe,
Dennis Withers: What a great story / memory. How could anyone forget such a tale – and, it was probably true. But, if it was not true, don’t tell me.
Rick McPartlin: Great story Ed! I hope Paul did not have his tape measure at the same time.
Joe Hale: Paul (who roomed with Tom Weyer as you probably know) was on the first floor of Keenan, and he stopped by my room to say good bye to “Arkansas” at the end of the second semester as he cut my hair throughout freshman year (for ROTC purposes.) He was such a good fellow, and I remember our Keenan rector Father Michael Heppen (who as you know died within the last couple of years after an extended battle with cancer) saying a funeral Mass in the honor of Paul’s father. Paul’s father died during our first semester so Paul had to return to Clairton to run the funeral home business. Father Heppen met Paul’s father and at the funeral remarked at how he was a fine man.
I was also on first floor of Keenan, roommate of Tiger Schaefer of Flaming A—holes fame along with Tom Weyer. I remember how forlorn Paul was when his father died suddenly and he had to return to PA and take over the funeral business. Life throws curves! Good guy who did what he had to do. Not the way he planned it!