Obituary of Edward Tavalsky

Edward J. "Ed" Tavalsky, 86, of Jamestown, died Friday June 28, 2013, in his home with his family beside him. An area resident since 1951, he was born in Johnstown, PA, a son of Joseph and Mary Zak Tavalsky. A graduate of Johnstown High School, he then served in the US Army in the Asiatic Pacific Theater and Japan until October 1946. In August 1951, he earned a bachelor of science in education degree from Bloomberg University. He came to Chautauqua County where he was the speech correctionist for many schools in the county. In 1953 he became speech consultant for Jamestown Public Schools. In 1974 Edward received his Master of Science in Education from State University of New York at Fredonia and in 1980 he received a Master's Degree from the University of the State of New York for School Administrator and Speech Pathologist. To coincide with those degrees he became Director of Pupil Personal Services for Jamestown Public Schools and remained in that position until his retirement in 1986 after a 35 year career in education. He was a communicant of Holy Apostles Parish, Saint Peter and Paul Catholic Church and served as an usher. He was a member of Ira Lou Spring Post #149 American Legion for over 25 years, Southern Chautauqua County Retired Teachers' Association, New York State Teachers' Retirement System and both local and national AARP. He was a former member of the Optimist Club of Jamestown. He served on the Jamestown Parks and Recreation Committee and worked to get the Allen Park Ice Skating Rink enclosed. Ed enjoyed watching sports especially football and basketball, both of which he played in high school and college. Hockey was also a favorite pastime. He many trips to watch his son's team play. He enjoyed bowling in the AARP League at Jamestown Bowling Company for many years earned a membership in the 700 Club. He also bowled in the Schoolmasters League at Fountain Bowl. Surviving are his wife the former Eleanor "Elly" Galusha with whom he would of celebrated 57 years of marriage today June 30th; a son James Tavalsky of Columbus, OH; a brother Robert Tavalsky of Jackson, MI; nieces Kathy Winkelpleck of Michigan and Mary Jo Tavalsky of South Carolina; nephews Christopher Tavalsky and Robert Tavalsky, both of Michigan and Michael Tavalsky of Las Vegas and an aunt Kathryn Kutsmeda of Las Vegas. The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday in the Lind Funeral Home. Rev. Dennis W. Mende will officiate. Burial will be in Sunset Hill Cemetery. Friends will be received from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday and for one hour prior to the service Wednesday in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Alzheimer's Association, Western New York Chapter, PO Box 96011, Washington, DC, 20090-6011, Chautauqua County Humane Society, 2825 Strunk Road, Jamestown, NY 14701 or Hospice Chautauqua County, 20 W. Fairmount Avenue, Lakewood, NY 14750. You may light a candle in remembrance of Ed at www.lindfuneralhome.com.