Pakacki

David Pakacki Jr. was the go-to guy who didn't mince words or waste time.

"He was straight-up honest, even if it hurt your feelings," said his daughter, Sabrina Burkins of Brogue. "He was loved by everybody. He had too big of a heart for himself. He was definitely a family man. You didn't mess with his family."

David Pakacki Jr., 54, of Fawn Grove, died Friday after a one-vehicle crash into a tree on Bald Eagle Road in Fawn Township.

Burkins said he was on his way home from visiting family and was just a couple of minutes from home.

He also leaves his companion of 35 years, Bonnie Barker; his father, David Pakacki Sr. of Marion, Va.; a son, Michael Manahan of Airville; six grandchildren; two sisters, Puffy Pakacki and Chrissy Pakacki, both of Delta; and three brothers, Michael Shook of East Berlin, Jimmy Pakacki of Baltimore and Marty Pakacki of Johnstown, Cambria County.

David Pakacki Jr.'s mother, Eleanora Pakacki died two months ago, Burkins said.

A service to celebrate David Pakacki Jr.'s life was held Monday at Austin H. Eberly Funeral Home Inc. in Dallastown. After cremation, burial will be private, Burkins said.

She said her father was an auto mechanic who ran his business at home. He enjoyed fishing and riding his children around the property on a golf cart.

He also liked driving around his yard in his "Cadillac" - actually his John Deere lawn tractor rigged with a radio and speakers, Burkins said.

Most of all, David Pakacki Jr. was the man who came to people's rescue, she said.

"He would get up in the middle of the night to help anybody," Burkins said. "He put his own (needs) aside to help Mom and anyone else who needed him."

-Reach Eyana Adah McMillan at emcmillan@yorkdispatch.com.