Shaler Area School district mourns loss of board member Tim Gapsky

Shaler Area school board members are grieving after the sudden loss of long-time member Tim Gapsky.

Gapsky, 57, died of natural causes on Jan. 23. An alum of Shaler Area High School, he served on the school board for 10 years before his passing.

“We have lost a valued colleague and a beloved member of our community and extend our heartfelt sympathy to all who mourn his loss,” said school board president April Kwiatkowski.

Gapsky was well-known in his community. Aside from working as a driver with the Allegheny County Department of Public Works, he was a member of the Teamster Local 249 and the DOH Club. He was also a part of the Etna Jockey Club, Polish Club and the VFW in Shaler.

Known amongst locals and friends as “Big Lou,” Gapsky was a faithful supporter of Shaler Area athletics and arts.

“I don’t think he ever missed a play,” said school board member James Tunstall. “He was so involved in the school, the arts and the sports.”

Tunstall said that he had sat with Gapsky on the board for eight years and in that time, became close with him. He said that he would remember his friend as an advocate.

“He always fought and stood up for communities, organizations and individuals that didn’t have as big of a voice as others,” Tunstall said. “He was the first person to stand up for the smaller communities like Etna and Reserve. I’ll never forget his passion for the smaller communities.”

Eileen Phillips, a board member and long-time friend of Gapsky, recalled how she was joking around about him running for school board at the end of 2013. The two graduated high school together in 1984 and became friends through class reunions over the years.

“We were out with a group (of alums) and I mentioned to him that there was a spot open on the school board,” Phillips said. “I was just joking around and said that all he would need was a few people to write his name in on the ballot. He picked up the ball and ran with it.”

Gapsky began his first term on the board in January of 2014. Phillips joined him two years later and served with Gapsky for the past eight years.

“He was a very popular guy in the area,” Phillips said. “He had no trouble getting elected.”

Gapsky was known by others to be honest and straightforward with his words. He made it clear to everyone that he wanted to improve the communities that make up the school district for residents and students.

“He did not hold back,” Phillips said. “He would not sugarcoat anything. That was just Tim. Sometimes people would butt heads with him during the meetings but as soon as we walked out those doors, it was over.”

Phillips said that Gapsky would say that the children in the district were all his children.

The district has officially opened applications to fill the vacant seat that Gapsky leaves behind. Candidates must live within voting Region I, and submit a letter of interest and a summary of qualifications to board secretary, Sherri Jaffee at Shaler Area School District, 1800 Mt. Royal Boulevard, Glenshaw, PA 15116. Applications are due by noon on Feb. 12.