Obituary of Alexander George Gavula

Alexander “Alex” Gavula, beloved son of Ann Gavula and the late George Gavula, passed away on August 16, 2014. He was a Morgantown resident for more than 35 years and spent his youth living in Greenfield and Squirrel Hill, Pennsylvania. Alex was known in the Morgantown Community for his leadership at West Virginia University radio station U-92. Alex loved U-92 and he was the station’s biggest cheerleader. He brought real world experience that spurred the career dreams of countless students he mentored. In addition to being a member for the original launching committee of the radio station, he held positions within the station of Broadcast Engineer and General Manager. Morgantown television viewers heard Alex’s voice on promos for WWVU-TV in the early 1980’s as he was also on that station’s production staff. His love of broadcasting also took him to the ESPN sports television network, where he was the traveling audio assistant for Thursday Night College Football starting in1988. In 1990, he joined the regular ESPN Sunday Night Baseball crew and was a key member of it for 24 years. This included being nominated for an Emmy in 2007 for audio on Sunday Night baseball. In addition to pinning a microphone on two Presidents, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush, Alex worked on President Obama’s first inauguration broadcast for ABC News. Alex was an Eagle Scout of the Eagle Scouts of America where he was recognized for his leadership abilities, service and commitment. Alex is preceded in death by grandparents Mary and Walter Kurach and Mary and Stephen Gavula, Uncles Steven Gavula and Bernard Osilka. He is survived by his mother Ann; aunts Mary Osilka, Anna Markey and Jeanie Gavula; several cousins and many dear friends and colleagues. Family and friends will be received at Hastings Funeral Home, 153 Spruce St., Morgantown, WV on Tuesday, August 26 from 3-9 PM. The Parastas Service will be recited at 8:30 PM Tuesday in the funeral home to conclude the evening visitation. On Wednesday, August27th, Mr. Gavula will be moved to St. Mary Byzantine Catholic Church, 2115 Listravia Ave., Sabraton, WV where he will lay in repose from 9 AM until the time of the Divine Liturgy at 10 AM with Father Michael Hustzi officiating. The graveside committal service will be held at 12:30 PM Wednesday in Mt. Macrina Cemetery, Uniontown, PA. Send condolences online at www.hastingsfuneralhome.com.