Tim P. Kappel

All who knew Tim Kappel would agree that he was an extraordinary man to know and love. He was generous, even selfless, and his devotion to his family and friends was unmatched. Tim loved being a father, but he just may have argued that becoming a grandfather was the greatest blessing in his life. Although he accomplished so much of which to be proud, he was a humble man whose greatest source of pride and joy was found in his family tree that blossomed to include the branches of loved ones he cherished. Life will never be the same without Tim here, but his timeless legacy will be carried on by those who follow in his footsteps.Life in America was anything but easy during the 1930s as the entire decade was cloaked in the hardship of the Great Depression. Jobs were scarce, the unemployment rate soared, and a drought covered our nation’s heartland for nearly two years. Despite the challenges around them, George and Susan (Regalla) Kappel were pleased to announce the birth of their baby boy on August 22, 1937. Tim P. was one of two children in his family, and he was born and raised in Monaca, Pennsylvania, alongside his sister, Georgia. Tim attended local schools and went on to graduate from Monaca High School in 1955. As a young man he served in the National Guard.New and exciting changes were in store for Tim when he met the love of his life. Her name was Michelina J. Pedone, and sparks flew right from the start. They began dating and soon fell in love. With a desire to establish a life together, Tim and Michelina were united in marriage. Together they were thrilled to welcome two daughters, Maria and Melissa, into their hearts and home. It has been said that Tim loved his girls more than himself, and there was nothing he wouldn’t do for his family. Some of their favorite memories as a family were made making sandcastles at the beach, assembling Valentine boxes and cardboard Easter eggs each year, and swimming in the family pool together. Tim was there for every single dance recital, built doll houses by hand, and dressed up with his girls on Halloween to go trick or treating. After cutting the grass, his girls got to drink the foam off the top of his beer, and they never did outgrow going out for custard or vanilla milkshakes. Tim and his girls just played together whether it was cars and trucks, pretending with Fisher Price figures complete with different voices for each character, or just hanging out at home. As his girls got older, Tim continued making memories with his girls. They loved going to Steelers games, taking in a variety of musicals, or riding in the boat picking up a crab pot along the way.To support his family, Tim worked hard. He received his associate’s degree from Penn State University and then his bachelor’s of science from Geneva College later on. He spent much of his career working at St. Joe Lead for 25 years, and then after earning his bachelor’s degree he took positions with Packard Electric, Penn Power, and Calgon Carbon, and even traveled to Europe for work.Always a bustle of activity, Tim was forever doing something. His skills in the kitchen were fantastic, and he was the “go-to” person for recipes with his specialties being his ribs, chicken soup, and blackberry pie with blackberries that he picked himself. Christmas was always a special time of the year, and Tim’s Christmas cookies were a family favorite. The holiday was rooted in numerous family traditions and famous dishes including his seven fishes with his famous squid and wine sauce, baccala, pasta consarte, pizzelles, apricot torte, and nut roll and poppyseed roll, too. Tim blew the horn and drank the wine, and they always went to midnight mass. Tim’s Catholic faith was of the utmost importance, and he was a lifelong member of St. John the Baptist Church where he sang in the choir, was the head of PTG and athletic association president, and a eucharistic minister. For a time Tim even ran a religious store. He was a true handyman who was always coming up with some sort of gadget to make something easier and was also a whiz at repurposing things of all kinds. Tim enjoyed bowling, playing instruments, singing, skating, acting, and so much more. Of course talking can’t be left off the list as he was blessed with the gift of gab! Tim loved bartering for cars and boats, and he was a car enthusiast who restored old cars, too.When his girls married, Tim couldn’t have been happier, and he embraced his sons-in-law as his own. He sang “Daddy’s Girl” at both of his girls’ weddings, and there wasn’t dry eye in the place. Of course he was over the moon to become Pap Pap to Madison, and she was the light of his life! Her face lit up whenever she saw him and their exchange of, “I’m not a meathead, you’re a meathead,” was a regular occurrence.Losing his wife in 1998 was difficult for Tim, but he did make a wonderful life that was enriched with so many people and special experiences. He kept busy with things like golf outings, car shows, wineries, and performances within his community among so many other things. Tim was the president of his condo association and was there to help anyone he knew in whatever way he could. His life was filled with numerous blessings that he never took for granted. Tim was close with his extended family throughout his life, and he was a mentor, encourager, and best friend to his brother-in-law over their 60 year relationship.A creative thinker, problem solver, mentor, friend, and encourager, Tim Kappel was a blessing to all who were within his reach. Outgoing and talkative, he was the sort of man who never met a stranger. Tim was a devoted brother and brother-in-law who was the biggest cheerleader for all of his loved ones, and he was fiercely protective of the ones he loved, too. He lived a life of purpose and deep meaning with his unwavering faith as the compass he used to direct his steps. A true gift in every way, Tim will be deeply missed while the memories he leaves behind remain a priceless treasure for generations to come.Tim P. Kappel, of Chippewa Township and formerly of Monaca, died on Sunday, July 5, 2015. Tim’s family includes his daughters, Maria (Johnny) Donovan, Virginia, and Melissa (Michael) Sommerlad, North Carolina; granddaughter, Madison Sommerlad, North Carolina; brother-in-law, Anthony (Marsha) Pedone; sister-in-law, Edith (Tom) Tkatch; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents Tim was preceded in death by his loving wife, Michelina J. (Pedone) Kappel, and sister and brother in law, Georgia and Phil Dalbey. Friends will be received Tuesday from 4-8 p.m. in the Simpson Funeral & Cremation Services, 1119 Washington Avenue, Monaca, where parting prayers will be offered Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. followed by a mass of Christian burial at 10 a.m. at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Monaca. Entombment will follow in Sylvania Hills Mausoleum. To share online condolences, get directions and other information, please visit simpsonfuneralhome.com.