Kevin Leroy Kraak

LeRoy and family - I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Take care. Diane Vultaggio (Employee Trust Funds)

My sympathies to Kevin's Family. Kev-to many memories to mention. Thanks for all of them. You truly are one of a kind and proud to say You are my Friend.

I really wish I could be there for Kevin's family/siblings and especially for his son, Kyle (although it has been some time). God bless you all in this difficult time of loss and grief. Kevin will be remembered forever for his love of life and his ideology to seize an opportunity without holding back. He will especially be remembered for his deviant laughter and his strident efforts to squeeze every bit of fun out of the time at hand. If life were measured with a fun meter, Kevin outlived us all! Everyone has a lesson to teach us if we will but only listen. Sometimes it was not to leave my guitar in Ma H's basement or be careful what we say or do. Sometimes it was as simple as to hold on tight when riding in his Bonneville station wagon with Kev at the wheel. Many a grand time, rarely a dull moment. I remember Kevin's enthusiasm regarding his iron-workers union duties and his trips to other cities for building erection. He was indeed proud of his work and his accomplishments in this regard and it didn't take much to see it. The projects were always so far away in distance but as big as life itself in the very room when he spoke of them. Being remotely associated with the construction industry over the years has evidenced the hardships of its "on again", "off again" work structure. Construction clearly became a love to Kevin and he did exceptionally well despite the difficult aspect of balancing the changing demand for services in trying to bring reality and fulfillment to one's dreams and visions. Kyle is special to Kevin in many ways. I kept up because Kyle and my son share close age and we swapped proud moments. It isn't hard to detect personal pride in someone and Kevin was no exception regarding his wonderful son, Kyle. In his resemblance, Kevin used to say "a chip off the old block" with a smile that was so big it nearly touched the bottom of his ears. Kevin's eyes lit up and his spirit surged when he spoke of Kyle. Kevin consistently boasted about Kyle concerning his fondness of music, of which they both shared. Kevin was clearly a rich man in spirit. He gave freely of himself and his escort to me over the years of deer hunting won't ever be forgotten. Living far away restricted joining him for musky fishing. But, I was able to see his photos and hear his stories - more proud moments. Kevin "Elwood" Kraak was quick to bring a smile and fast with crazy lingo, followed by his signature chuckle. Thank you Kevin for adding color to many of the pages of my youth for without you they would have been pascals inter laden with shades of gray. Godspeed pal, Wolfie