Friends To Host Fundraiser for Wife, 3 Kids of Late Wayne Dad

The following letter to the editor was submitted to Patch by reader Alex Sgrol. Written by Bruce McNutt. Submit letters at jessica.mazzola@patch.com. 

Dear Patch Readers,

Packanack Lake and all of Wayne lost a fixture in the community on May 2 when Kevin Rovere was taken from us by sudden illness.  

Kevin grew up in Packanack Lake, and when he started a family he moved back to the community that meant so much to him as a child.  Kevin was the epitome of a friendly neighbor, and few have done more to help a community thrive.  

He was especially active in youth sports, serving as T-Ball commissioner and spearheading the solicitation and installation of the advertising signs on the ball field. He was active in the boy scouts and cooked all the meals on the camping trips.  

When they needed lights at Family Fun Night he went to his shop and brought back his portable light tower. When the BBQ Club needed a place to store their smoker he said, “store it at my house.” 

We who were his closest friends used to say that when you needed to find someone who could do something just ask Kevin because Kevin always knows a guy. In actuality, Kevin was the guy.  

His greatest love was cooking and the BBQ Club may never be able to replace their chief chef, hopefully he taught the remaining members some of his tricks!

Packanack, like all communities, deals with all too frequent and unexplainable tragedies. Our community, like so many others, so often goes above and beyond to help support the family members left behind.  

This tragedy has been no exception, so his friends have joined forces to throw the greatest Benefit, Fundraiser, Celebration of Life that this community has ever seen.

On June 21, we invite everyone who wants to be a part of the healing process to join us on the grounds of Fire Company #5 in Packanack Lake (5 Lake Drive West, Wayne) to share stories about Kevin, eat some great BBQ, drink a beer in his honor, and raise money to help his family during this most difficult time.  

Kevin left behind not only his wife Sharon but three young sons, Robert, Joseph and Nicholas. 100% of the money raised will go directly to the family.  

Tickets are $50 in advance or $60 at the door and are available through the Packanack Clubhouse, the Firehouse, or through the website www.roverefamilyfund.weebly.com. There will also be a Tricky Tray and 50/50. 

If you can help with donations for the event please contact Jill Taliano at jill_taliano@yahoo.com. So many have done so much already, let’s do a little more.

See Rovere's full obituary here.

Alex Sgrol