By Tom Kocurko '71

Lost a great friend overnight, Dale Funk. Tough, tough guy! Back in high school he ran track and participated in cross country, was pretty good, too. About 20 years ago he was diagnosed with MS. About ten years ago he was afflicted with leukemia, which he beat. But the MS continued to progress, eventually to the point where Dale spent most of his waking hours in a wheelchair. Maybe three years ago he had a morphine pump implanted to moderate the chronic pain he dealt with; he had to give up driving his adapted wheelchair van and losing some of his independence bothered him. Two years ago during the Christmas season he came down with a cold which elevated to the flu which led to pneumonia which put him into the hospital and then a rehab facility...for weeks. Amazingly, he bounced back. About a year ago his beloved dog, Jack, suddenly became very sick and Dale had to put Jack to sleep. Shortly after that, Dale began to suffer brief black-outs and had trouble consuming solids and liquids. Doctors discovered part of his brain was degenerating, which eventually led to his hospitalization this past holiday season, first at Fairview Hospital, then, when doctors informed his condition was terminal, to Holy Family Home Hospice, where he passed away during the night.

(We were in a parking lot a few years ago, in a light rain, and I was pushing him in his wheelchair towards a restaurant. I told Dale, "You're a good friend but if it starts to lightning you are on your own, I'm gonna' run for it, because if there is anyone I know who is unlucky enough to be struck by a bolt it is YOU!" He got a kick out of that and said, "Yeah, I guess I've had some bad luck but I got really lucky when Mary Jo married me." MJ and Dale attended a few Cleveland Indians games every summer. Even though she has her own health issues, she was a great care-giver for Dale. Some refer to Mary Jo as a saint, others as an angel; maybe she's both.)

So, how did Dale deal with this "Shit Storm" (one of his favorite expressions) of bad luck? He never complained about his multiple health issues. He'd discuss them if you asked how he was doing, how his health was, but he did not grumble or have any self-pity. Up to last summer, Dale still cut his own large yard, maybe an acre of grass. He'd ride an electric wheelchair out the front door of his home, down the ramp, back to his garage, transfer to a riding mower, and get it done. He liked to fish, he'd do so from his wheelchair. He was partial to one-day road trips to Amish country, sipping his coffee, looking out the window while enjoying the rural landscape. He particularly enjoyed Amish "comfort food" and re-sale shops; Dale really got a kick out of finding great deals at re-sale shops. Also, Dale and his wife, Mary Jo, arranged a painter's studio for Dale on the second floor of their home. It was scary to watch Dale climb the stairs to the second story, took him a few minutes, but he'd do it without assistance. Anyhow, he was a self-taught artist, painted landscapes, and his work was appealing to this untrained eye. He also enjoyed hanging with his good buddies/classmates from Padua Franciscan High School. Dale was fascinated with Indian artifacts/arrowheads. He was also interested in geology. The photo of Dale overlooking Lake Erie was snapped in Vermilion, Ohio. He must've sat there for ten minutes, really taking in not only the view but the sound of the waves....savoring life, I reckon.

There was an NFL quarterback back in the 50's, Bobby Layne, and it was said of him, "He never lost a game....he just ran out of time." That quote came to mind when I learned Dale's condition was terminal.

Photographs below: Dale overlooking Lake Erie; partying with his Class of 1970 pals; with Geoff Funk, enjoying breakfast; Dale, Mike Sforzo and Buzz Heinrich at the world-famous "The Whip" restaurant; with moi at "The Coffee Club"; with Elaine Heinzerling during a tour of Padua Franciscan H.S. a couple years ago, which Dale talked about often, especially the part of the tour during which he viewed the basement hall where he used to run during track practice; cross country team photo, 1970 yearbook, with Dale and his teammates and friends (Greg Szklarz, Rick Bazzo, etc.); at a Bruins football game a couple years ago with his wife Mary Jo.

(NOTE: I can't possibly tag everyone in the photos below but feel free to do so if you can.)

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