Early in the morning of December 16th, Bernard-Bernie-"Red"-"Pappy" Sekely of Locust Grove, Va. passed on to a better world with his loving family steadfast by his side. Born on May 11, 1930 in Pittsburgh, Pa. he was the son of the late Andrew and Catherine Sekely. Bernie proudly served his country in the US Marine Corps where he earned the designation of expert marksman as a member of the Marine Corps rifle team. Bernie and his beloved wife Theresa "Dolly" moved their young family to MD in the early 60's, where he launched a successful home building career. During Bernie's illustrious home building career, which spanned nearly half a century, thousands of home owners from PA to MD and throughout VA benefited from his skills as a master carpenter and custom home builder.
Bernie is survived by his loving and caring wife of 58 years, Dolly; daughter Linda Keppler and her husband Joe; daughter Laura Gilmartin and her husband Jeff; daughter Laverne Zimmer and her husband Calvin; son Bernard Sekely Jr. and his wife Frances; daughter Lisa Witkowski and her husband Peter; nine grandchildren, Brad Keppler, Sarah Zimmer, Carlie and Matt Wesche, Jenna Zimmer, Drew Sekely, Diana Zimmer, Emma Witkowski, Alec Witkowski; great grandson Corbin Wesche; and special great grandson Jake Montrose.
In earlier years, Bernie spent hours on the golf course with his golfing buddies playing a sport he recently came to love. But his real passion in life was his family, especially his grandchildren, who he taught the lessons of work ethic and perseverance simply through the way he lived his life. Bernie and Dolly were devoted members of St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Spotsylvania, VA.
The family will receive friends on Tues., Dec. 21, from 9:00 am - 12:00 noon at Laurel Hill Funeral Home in Spotsylvania, VA with a rosary at 11:30 am. Funeral Mass will take place on Tues., December 21 at 1:00 pm at St. Patrick Catholic Church. Interment will take place on Wed., December 22 at 11:00 am at Quantico National Cemetery in Triangle, VA. On line condolences can be made at www.laurelhillfuneralhome.com.
In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations may be made to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tenn. 38105 or Rikki's Refuge, of Orange Co., VA.
If I should live forever And all my dreams come true My memories of love Will be of you. We love you Pap. Be at peace, forever, pain free.