Kevin Peter Gatens (1953 - 2011)

Born 18 Nov 1953 in Dumont, Bergen, New Jersey

Ancestors

Died 9 Aug 2011 at age 57 in Moscow, Lackawanna, Pennsylvania

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Biography

Kevin Peter Gatens, 57 years young, of Moscow, died late Tuesday night at Regional Hospital of Scranton following a truly valiant and inspirational battle with glioblastoma, or primary brain cancer. Kevin leaves behind the absolute love of his life, Karen Ferke Gatens, with whom he celebrated 34 years of marriage.

Born Nov. 18, 1953, in Dumont, N.J., he was the youngest of five children born to the late Thomas and Anne Boyan Gatens. Kevin was educated at Our Lady of Peace in Clarks Green, Quakertown School District, North Pocono High School, class of 1971, and the University of Scranton.

Kevin was one of the fortunate few; thoroughly enjoying and excelling in his career of construction project management for over 43 years; following in the footsteps of his father, whom he lost at the age of 9. Prior to his illness, Kevin was employed by Nova Mission Critical Construction Management Group as a Senior Project Manager; traveling the world and constructing data centers for some of the largest technology companies in the world.

Foremost and paramount in his life was his devout Catholic faith and the incalculable love for his family and friends. Kevin drew great strength and courage from his faith, most especially through the love and support of St. Catherine of Siena's Parish which prepared and aided him in his arduous journey over the last fourteen months. He prayed the rosary every day and expressed the utmost love and gratitude for Pastor Robert Simon and Deacon John Franceschelli.

Kevin's love for his family and friends, most especially his cherished wife, Karen, and his three boys, Keegan, Killian and Kevin, and their love for him is both profound and eternal. Kevin always demonstrated his strong sense of character as a fine role model. His keen insight in preparing the ones he loved so that they are well-equipped to negotiate the rigors of life is greatly appreci ated by all he leaves behind. Kevin's extraordinary attitude and his ability to see the positive light in all things prior to and throughout his sickness was absolutely remarkable. His wit, honesty, intelligence, sincerity and kindness brought joy to and garnered respect from all who is blessed to have known him. Those who knew him often described him as "Larger than Life."

Kevin loved life, and although he was only 57 when he passed, his life was full, rich and embodied the people and things he loved. Some of his most cherished activities included attending Mass, meditation through prayer, golf, scale modeling, traveling, woodworking, shooting darts, where he affectionately earned the nickname "Slammer," and providing sagely advice to anyone who needed it. Most beloved was the time he spent doting on his granddaughter, Reagan, or as he affectionately called her "his little Peanut." Kevin's love for his furry friend Maggie was unconditional.

Kevin extolled all the best qualities in this life as an amazing, husband, father, grandfather, uncle and friend. Kevin was a man with incredible drive who gave his full measure of devotion to providing for his family and affording them with the opportunities he did not have but overcame. Kevin's love endures through his family, friends, and the faith and hope he instilled in all around him. Surviving is his wife, Karen Ferke Gatens, his loving caregiver and "Angel;" his three cherished sons, Keegan Gatens and wife, Lauren, Scranton; Killian Gatens and wife, Jennifer, Covington Twp.; and Kevin K. Gatens, Moscow; his granddaughter, Reagan Anne Gatens, Scranton; loving brother, Thomas R. Gatens and wife, Mary Heisler, Millville, N.J.; and loving sisters, Patricia Gensiak, Olyphant; and Terese and husband, John Kilker, Dickson City. Also surviving are his beloved in-laws, Stephen and Catherine Ferke, Covington Twp.; brother and sisters-in-law, Alan Ferke and wife, Karen, Elmhurst; Carol and Patrick Derrig, Madison Twp.; and Joyce and Robert Fedak, Washington, N.J. Additionally, Kevin is survived by loving aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, cousins and friends.

Kevin was preceded in death by his loved sister, Barbara "Bonnie" and husband, Stanley Pascoe; and his revered brothers-in-law, Michael Ferke and Stanley Gensiak.

Funeral services will be Saturday at 10 a.m. in Duffy & Snowdon Funeral Home, 401 Church St., Moscow, with Mass at 11 in St. Catherine of Siena Church, Church Street, Moscow, with the Rev. Robert Simon, pastor, as celebrant. Interment, Holy Ghost Cemetery, Moscow. Friends may call today, 7 to 9 p.m., and Friday, 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Memorial contributions may go to St. Catherine of Siena Church, P.O. Box 250, Moscow, PA 18444; or the Moscow Fire and Hose Company, Main Street, Moscow, PA 18444. Published in Scranton Times on Aug. 11, 2011

Sources

• See obituray above.
• "United States Social Security Death Index," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KM8N-2FV : 20 May 2014), Kevin P Gatens, 09 Aug 2011; citing U.S. Social Security Administration, Death Master File, database (Alexandria, Virginia: National Technical Information Service, ongoing).