David Michael Karakas
David Michael Karakas, 72, of Virginia passed away Sunday, April 18, 2010 after a courageous 20 year battle with heart and kidney disease.
He was born on February 28, 1938 to Louis and Lillian Karakas. After graduating from Roosevelt High School, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy having served duty from 1956 to 1960 and reserve duty until 1962. Upon returning home he met Darlene Pappone and they married on February 23, 1963. Together they raised a son, Steve, and a daughter, Jamie. Dave was employed by LTV (the former Erie Mining Company) as a welder and a millwright technician retiring in 1996 after a 30-year career. He was a member of the Moose and Elk’s Associations, the Lenont Curling Club, and Holy Spirit Church in Virginia.
Dave loved sports of all kinds and coached youth baseball and hockey in Virginia. He also enjoyed hunting with his son and friends until his disease made walks in the woods too difficult; where upon he switched to spending relaxing cabin days with his family on Lake Vermilion. Dave will be remembered for his wonderfully wry sense of humor. He was a “master of the pun”. At family gatherings Dave, a usually quiet man, could always be counted on to get everyone laughing with his situation-perfect interjections…he will be so missed.
Dave is survived by Darlene, his wife of 47 years; son Steve (Tami) Karakas of Blaine, MN; daughter Jamie (David) Ford of Gilbert; grandson Ryan Tuuri; brother Dan (Shelby) Karakas of Lake Vermilion; sister Carol (Dave) Hubert of Duluth; and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and brothers Louis and John Karakas.
Rev. Fr. John O’ Donnell will celebrate a Funeral Mass at 11:00 a.m., with visitation at 10:00, on Friday, April 23 at Holy Spirit Church in Virginia. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery in Virginia.
