Kevin Austin Grossman, 31, of Hamburg, entered into rest Thursday, April 14, 2016. Born January 22 1985, in Lancaster, he was the son of Kevin P. Grossman, Mohnton, and Lisa Beck, Sinking Spring. In addition to his parents, he is survived by his two children: Hayley Lynn Grossman and Kevin Robert Grossman; his children’s mother, Alicia Hoffmaster; paternal grandparents: Joseph I. Grossman, widower of Judith Ann Grossman; maternal grandparents: Tom Beck of Ephrata and Rose Beck of Reamstown; his aunts and uncles: Joseph I. Grossman, Jr., Therese Rapp, Lorah Zawaski, Dana Hekman, Jeannine Dresh, Damon Grossman, Kyle Grossman; and a large extended family. Prayer services will be Thursday, April 21, 2016, at 11 AM from the Mull Funeral Home, 27 E. High St., Womelsdorf, PA  19567, with the Rev. Mark J. Wrightson, O.S.F.S., officiating.  Burial will follow in Cedar Grove Cemetery, Adamstown.  Relatives and friends may call Thursday, from 9 AM until time of service at the funeral home.

Good morning, I'm Kevin's uncle, a proud brother of his father, Kevin. Some of you knew him as Kev, little Kevin or simply Kevin. For me, and I'd venture to say the rest of our family, he was Kevy. As he grew up I'd catch myself calling him that and correct myself by calling him Kevin, to which he'd reply, "it's ok Uncle Kyle, that doesn't bother me", and I'd say good because like most of us in a big family, we say at least three different family members names before you get it right!

How we addressed him depended on how we knew him. But one thing remained the same, not his name but WHO he was. I don't know one person who wouldn't agree with me that he had a big heart, an infectious smile and was loyal to family and friends. A name, face, and social standing is something we cannot choose, in the end it's who we choose to be and Kevy chose to love, care and give.

I'm sure all of us have heard the "Our Father" prayer. The majority in this room have this prayer recorded in our memory, burned on our heart and saved in our soul. I've caught myself saying this prayer and reciting the words like lyrics in a song out of habit or saying them before drifting off to sleep, sometimes not even finishing it before my dreams arrive. But when you analyze each sentence, they reveal and mean so much more. My father, Kevy's grandfather, recently told me something that resonated with me and it was this; the phrase, "give us this day our daily bread" means more than what we think. Some think it's literal, asking God for food to continue living in our physical form. Some believe it refers to communion, a remembrance of Jesus Christ as he told us to do in His name and yet, while not denying those truths, It could mean something very simple that becomes more apparent as we age. That, "the daily bread" we request, that we so need and can only receive from God, is whatever we personally need to get through our day. For it is said, "The Lord knows what you need before you ask". For the past few days we have hurt, we cry out, and we cannot comprehend this tragedy. And in our finite understanding, we have faith and believe that God acknowledges our pain and has provided for, and continues to provide "our daily bread". We would not be here today, together, for Kevy and our family and friends, if God did not provide. Through His love working amoung all of us, we remember Kevy by using the gifts of the spirit we all possess.

Kevin leaves behind his daughter Hayley and his son Kevy, both of which he adored more than life itself. He often said that their births were the happiest days of his life. Hayley remembers when she watched her father ride his four wheeler and accidentally ran into a bush. They laughed together as nothing was hurt other than Kevy's pride. She also loved going swimming with her dad, making her laugh as he'd do a back flip into the pool landing on his stomach. He'd do it over and over again just to make her smile. Kevy continued the tradition from his father of making homemade donuts for his kids on Sunday mornings, of which they always looked forward to helping him make and, of course eat! Outdoor activities were enjoyed by them all, even the simplest house repair, Kevy Jr would be by his father's side with his little tool belt on, proud to help out his daddy. Kevy was always proud of his kids, especially how well they did in school and never missed an opportunity to praise them and bragged about them to all who listened. Whether it was picking strawberries in a field in the summer, carving pumpkins in the fall or picking a Christmas tree to take home and decorate, Kevy was there for his children, memories more precious than gold that will increase in value through the years.

When I think of Kevy, Matthew chapter 5 verse 15 comes to mind. It states, "No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house." This was Kevin. There is no such thing as darkness, it is only the absence of light. Unfortunately in this world, where we are spiritual beings having a physical experience, the world can be dark. No single flame can brighten a whole room, but a flame can brighten the corner in which it occupies. This is true for us all if we choose and Kevin did just that. Some candles refuse to light, some are a constant source of light while others flicker in the darkness. Some wicks may need trimmed and their wax drained to maintain their light and some burn consistently. Some shine as bright as when they're lit until they burn out, and unfortunately, some are extinguished unexpectently. Kevin did not hide or dim his flame, he shone as bright as he could and everyone around him saw and felt "his" light. We've all experienced the feeling when we're in a dark room with a single light and once that light is extinguished, our mind still perceives the presence of the light until ours eyes adjust. So this is with Kevin. Our hearts will take time to adjust to this loss but we have faith that where Kevin is, there is no darkness and he is part of the eternal light of which we will all return to and shine brightly together.

With the the blessing of Kevin and his family, I'd like to read something knowing the relationship between my brother and his only child...his son. I've taken some artistic liberty with this letter from Kevin to his father but I truly believe with all of my heart that he felt this way and made it known to his father throughout his life. We all have memories of our childhood and we see our parents in various stages; through the eyes of a child, a teenager and as an adult. The following is what I truly feel my nephew would want his father to understand.

Daddy,

I see you...from the moment our eyes met in shared wonder & awe, from my cradle to your arms, I knew you were and would always be my "rock". Before I could speak, my heart heard the words I didn't yet understand and felt the love that I would feel for the rest of my life. I saw you arrive home late from work and the smile on your face when you'd see me in my bed when you thought I was asleep.

Dad,

I hear you...As I grew, that love transitioned to words that I would hear from you my whole life; those words - "you are my son, I will never leave you, I will lead by example, I love you and I always will". I listened as you spoke with love to family and friends. I heard you address strangers with respect and compassion. I hung on every "that'a boy" you gave me and every song you'd sing along with on the radio that would then become my favorite to sing along to.

Father,

I respect you...as I became a man in my own right I continued to seek your counsel and witnessed your devotion to me through some of my hardest times as well as celebrate in my triumphs. Even with my own children, you were by my side and with every first experience I shared with them, I began to realize what it really takes to be a father.

Pop,

I love you...and I need you to understand that I still see, hear, respect and love you, on this day and all those that will follow, as much as I did when I first met you. You will always be my "rock". Please never think that you weren't the parent, friend and hero that I've always known you to be. I'm confident that your compassion and love will continue, not only for me, but for my children.
For all of this and so much more, I say thank you. Because of the faith you posess and instilled in me I know this is not "goodbye". It's simply, until we meet again...

I love you Dad,

Love Kevy

I'd like to end with a powerful quote. It attempts to answer what all of us ask ourselves at least once in our lifetime. What is the meaning of life? It's not an answer that is based on any one religion or Christian denomination, but I feel it encompasses them all to a certain degree.

"The MEANING of life is to find your gift, the PURPOSE of life is to give it away."

Kevy gave his love, respect and time to family and friends. And I'm proud to say that yesterday, today and even tomorrow, he continues to give. Not just in our memories of him but physically. Because Kevy was an organ donor, our family is proud to say that he will help save the lives and provide a higher quality of life to an estimated 50 people. He continues to give....

The Grossman family would like to thank all for any donations, kind word and especially their prayers.

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