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Service Information
St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Buff
Saturday, November 21, 2009
11 AM

Visitation Information

Air Force Staff Sergeant Rory R. Gavic, age 25, stationed at Hill Air Force base in Layton, Utah formerly of Buffalo and Eagan, Minnesota. He was born on July 13, 1984 left to be with the Lord on November 14, 2009. Rory joined the United States Air Force in 2002. He was a gifted K-9 Handler who was awarded for his many achievements, including Airman of the Year in 2008. He served two tours of duty in the Middle East, proudly serving his country. His kindness and soft-spoken ways will be missed by who knew him. Rory is preceded in death by his grandmother: Marie McCarthy; grandfathers: Carleton Gavic and Marlan Sawatzke. He is survived and loved by his mother and step-father, Linda and Jim Sawatzke of Buffalo; his brothers and step-sister: Carl Gavic, Charlie McCarthy and Cassie Ecklend of Buffalo; grandfathers: Frank (Lisa) Czanstkowski of Montrose, Rick (Ellen) Weeks of Buffalo and Dr. Charles McCarthy of Mendota Hights; grandmothers: Anita Gavic of Grand Maris and Evelyn Sawatzke of Buffalo; nephew Logan Gavic of Annandale; great aunt Kathy O’neil of Buffalo; aunts and uncles: Dave (Debbie) Larsen of Buffalo, Rita Bloom of Buffalo, Frank (Debbie) Czanstkowski of Rockford, Mike (Melody) Czanstkowski of St. Michael, Tom (Dianne) Schumacher of Plymouth, Robert (Kathy) Czanstkowski of St. Paul, Scott (Kathy) Czanstkowski of Montrose, Ryan Czanstkowski of Buffalo, Anthony (Nikki) Czanstkowski of St. Michael, Shawn (Andrea) Huss of Montrose, Adam Czanstkowski of St. Michael, Aaron Czanstkowski of Buffalo, Amanda Czanstkowski of Montrose and many other cousins, relatives and friends. Visitation is Friday, November 20th from 4-8 P.M. at The Peterson Chapel in Buffalo with a prayer service at 7 P.M. Further visitation will be one hour prior to mass. Mass of Christian Burial will be on Saturday, November 21st at 11AM at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Buffalo. Interment with full Military Honors will be at St. Francis Catholic Cemetery.

21 Guestbook Entries

  1. Danny Rude

    I’m trying to make it back by Saturday. God bless you Linda and Carl and try to stay strong through this very hard time. Danny

    Reply
  2. David, Kelly & Karly Larsen

    Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. Rory will be missed and in our hearts and memories forever.
    Love Always,
    David, Kelly & Karly Larsen

    Reply
  3. Mary Wiebusch and family

    Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Rest in peace Rory…we love you.

    Reply
  4. Sandy Alger

    I would like to say Thank You to Staff Sargent Rory Gavic for his service in the Air Force. My sympathy goes to the Sawatzke and Czanstkowski families. My son is serving in the Army over in Afghanistan and I know how proud our military sons and daughters are for serving our Country. He will never be forgotten! God Speed and Rest in Peace. You are a HERO too all of us! Thank you also to his family for his service. I know it’s not easy. Sincerely, Sandy Alger – Delano, MN

    Reply
  5. Maggie Elliott

    My prayers are with you and your family. Rory will be very missed and never forgotten.

    Reply
  6. Mary and Ed Larson

    Linda, Jim and and all Rory’s family.
    Our thoughs and prayers are with all of you in your time of need. Remember the good and fun times and one day the pain will ease. Also Thank You Rory for serving our country and God Bless.

    Reply
  7. Joseph Throgmorton

    You will never be forgotten brother.

    Reply
  8. Melanie Swartz

    My thoughts are with you at this time. I only knew Rory a short time but I will miss conversations with him in the evenings at the kennels. He was a fine young man and I was blessed to have made his acquaintance.

    Reply
  9. David and Debbie Larsen

    Dear Linda,Jim,Carl, & Charlie,
    Our sincere sympathy to your family.
    Rory always had a gift of sharing and caring of his time for his entire family. We are proud to say thank you Rory for serving this Country for all of us. We are forever grateful. Let our hearts ,this sea of restless waves find comfort in knowing Rory is at peace and in the hands of our Lord.Also in knowing God will help us all get threw our grief, with the beautiful memories Rory has left us with and the wonderful smile we will never forget. We love you.
    Love,
    Debbie and Dave Larsen

    Reply
  10. SSgt Jason Hanisko

    Rory was great K9 handler and an even better friend. He will severely missed by us all. From all the MWD Handlers at Kunsan AFB Republic of Korea, our hearts and prayers are with you all. He will never be forgotten. K9 leads the way!!!

    Reply
  11. gary brophy

    Thank you Staff Sargent Rory Gavic for your service to our country. We should all be thankful for young men such as yourself for stepping forward when others choose to do nothing. Thank you also to your family for also sacrificing as all military families struggle with the uncertainties of military life.May God bless you and may you have eternal peace. gary brophy buffalo

    Reply
  12. Jeff Grimm

    My heart goes out to you and yours at this difficult time in your life. May you find some peace in celebrating the life he lived.

    Reply
  13. SMSgt Jeff Imsdahl

    Gavic Family,
    My sincerest condolences on the passing of Rory. He was one of my 3rd Herder’s here at the 934th Security Forces Squadron when he first came in. A fine young man and good troop. He will be missed.

    Reply
  14. Jennifer Hanisko

    To Rory’s family: Thank you for coming out to Hill AFB to share with us the memorial. It is obvious how loved he was by so many, and I know that he will always be celebrated for his wonderful life and friendship. Rest in Peace Rory — and rock on brother! Chevelle will never be the same again.

    Reply
  15. Liela Waibel

    My deepest sympathy to the entire family of Rory, you will all be in my thoughts and prayers. To Rory thank you for so much for your continued service to our country. You will never be forgotten

    Reply
  16. dave and susie brown and family

    so sorry for your loss.may god bless you all and give you strength.

    Reply
  17. Tennille, Jackson and Lauren

    We love you and always will!!

    Reply
  18. Patti Stevens & Family

    So sorry for your loss. You have been in our thoughts and prayers and will continue to be during time very difficult time. God Bless
    Patti & Corey Stevens

    Reply
  19. Ssgt Balderrama

    Rory will be missed by our family and our prayers are with the family.

    Reply
  20. Debbie larsen

    Rory and Raul, there is never a day that goes by that we do not think of you. We love you with all our hearts. Please watch over your mom and family. Please take care of each other. I hope you have both found peace. We love you so much. Love Mom & Aunt Debbie, You know how much we miss you both. I miss you so much !!!! Be at peace our sweet angels… LOVE DEBBIE

    Reply
  21. Debbie larsen

    Rory, how can I tell you that time heals all wounds. It’s been 6 months and a day does not go by that I don’t think of you and my own son, Raul, who I know is with you. I love you both so very much. Rest in peace my sweet angels. Aunt Debbie

    Reply

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