Bensenville mourns longtime businessman, volunteer
It was hard to ignore Richard Cuvala.
That’s partly because Cuvala, owner of Trixx Manufacturing in Bensenville for 35 years, was especially fond of wearing Hawaiian shirts and baseball hats.
But the bigger reason, friends said, is because the Bensenville man made himself known throughout the village through his community service.
“He was the community,” said friend and colleague Gary Thorsen, Bensenville director of recreation and community programming.
Cuvala, 61, died of cancer Friday surrounded by family, including his son, Justin, who rushed home from his U.S. Navy post in Washington state to be by his father’s side. Cuvala previously served in the Naval Air Reserve and was stationed at the former Glenview Naval Air Station.
Friend Pete Gallagher, who serves on the Bensenville Chamber of Commerce where Cuvala was vice president, said it’s not only Cuvala’s relatives who will miss him. It’s a huge loss for the whole Bensenville community, he said.
“He was just a fixture in Bensenville,” Gallagher said. “Rick was into everything. He was just a nice guy who would help anybody with anything.”
Cuvala served as a member of the Bensenville Lions Club for 25 years, including as treasurer. He was a member of the American Legion and devoted many hours to community service projects throughout Bensenville, including setting up tents for LibertyFest and fixing up the Santa House for the annual tree lighting.
For the village’s annual Fourth of July parade, Cuvala created an elaborate float that looks like a genuine train engine.
“There really wasn’t anything he couldn’t do,” Thorsen said. “He was so handy and creative. Anytime anything came down, I could call Rick.”
Before his death, Cuvala had to take a four-month leave of absence from Trixx to deal with his illness. To help him with mounting medical and household bills, friends had planned “Recover Rick Benefit” for Feb. 17.
The benefit will still go on, in an effort to now help Cuvala’s family pay for his medical costs. The event will be from 5 to 10 p.m. Feb. 17 at Bella Vista Banquets, 205 W. Main St., Bensenville, and will include a buffet, cash bar, DJ Music, silent auction, basket raffles, a 50/50 raffle and more. Although a ticket price is not set, donations will be accepted for admission.
Friends like Thorsen say the event honors the spirit of a man who always put community first.
“I can’t say enough about this guy,” Thorsen said. “He was just a remarkable, remarkable man.”
If you cannot attend the benefit but wish to contribute, send donations payable to: Bensenville Lions Club, P.O. Box 196 Bensenville, IL, 60106. (Indicate in the memo of your check: Recover Rick Benefit) For details, contact Wendy Rebmann at (630) 927-1080, R2eagle@aol.com; Nina Keehn at (630) 651-0323, NMKeehn@aol.com; or Pete Gallagher at (630) 327-7032, vanguard60106@aol.com.
Visitation for Cuvala will be from 3 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at The Oaks Funeral Home, 1201 E. Irving Park Road, Itasca. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Bensenville Lions Club, would be appreciated. For details, call (630) 250-8588 or visit theoaksfh.com.