Gustav Thomas Kovalik, age 78, long time resident of Caledonia, NY passed away in his home on Monday, October 14, 2024. He was born in Reading, PA on October 25, 1945, the son of Gustav Thomas and Dorothy Marie (Hall) Kovalik. Prior to Gus's birth, his father died in a plane crash and later Dorothy married his brother, John, who raised Gus as his son. The family moved to Dumont, N.J. next door to Gus's paternal grandparents where he grew up and lived until attending college.
Gus graduated from Dumont High School, earned his B.S. at the University of Colorado, Boulder and a MLIS from the University of Denver. He later studied botany at the University of Florida, Gainesville. His degree in Library Information Science led to his career at Florida State in Gainesville, Fla. and RIT in Rochester, N.Y. libraries.
Gus had many interests. He was an avid reader since childhood. He was an enthusiastic learner showing strong interest in science. He would do experiments with his chemistry set in the basement. Together his family enjoyed camping, boating, fishing, hunting, summer vacations at his grandmother's in Pennsylvania and Sundays, holidays and beach outings with Connecticut relatives. John instilled the children with a love of outdoors. Dorothy nurtured their love of animals. There were always house dogs, outdoor beagles as well as white mice, gerbils, aquariums, a crow, and even a pet porcupine residing at their address. Gus loved baseball and would attend Mets games in New York City, kindly inviting his younger sister to join him and his friends. He loved art projects, eBay, music, concerts, garage sales, his Caledonia home and gardening there.
Gus is survived by his sister, Carolyn Kovalik Foss of Esko, MN; special friend, Linda Toal of Batavia, N.Y., and many beloved friends. He is preceded in death by his parents Gustav and Dorothy Kovalik; stepfather who raised him, John Kovalik; brother-in-law, John Foss; uncles Thomas Kovalik and John Hall.
At Gus's request there will be no funeral. His ashes will be inurned at the family plot in Willow Grove Cemetery, Buffalo, WY beside Dorothy and John Kovalik and his paternal and maternal grandmothers, Minnie Stoner and Margaret Kovalik.
In honor of Gus's generosity to animals, adopting dogs in need and volunteering at shelters and giving donations to help them have better lives, memorials may be made to Volunteers for Animals, P.O. Box 1621, Batavia, New York 14021. Arrangements are under the care and direction of the Bohm-Calarco-Smith Funeral Home, 308 East Main Street, Batavia.
