Kaveney was driving force for softball’s growth in area
Whether it was at work, at home or on the softball field, Mike Kaveney displayed a rare combination of wisdom and well-placed humor. He had the ability to extinguish any chaotic situation, alleviating any tension among upset parents or coaches by acting as a calming influence.
The 59-year-old Washington resident worked as chief financial officer at Schroeder Industries in Leetsdale, and he served as president of TWIST youth softball for the past 10 years.
Kaveney was a steward for the sport in the community, acting as the driving force behind softball’s growth in Washington. Even after his oldest daughter, Beth, was no longer playing at the youth level, Mike found time to help the all-volunteer, nonprofit organization.
A family man in every sense of the term, Kaveney held a high-level job, spent time with his family that included his wife, Cindy, four daughters and four grandchildren; and created a positive environment for young softball players in the area.
Kaveney died unexpectedly last Friday in his home, leaving a void those close to him cannot begin to fathom.
“I’m still numb. The fact that it happened so suddenly is shocking and it will affect his family so much,” Sam Puglisi, who was the best man in Kaveney’s wedding and acted as TWIST’s vice president, said. “It’s difficult to grasp. We’re the same age. He was such a huge part of his kids’ lives.”
Kaveney coached Beth in softball for several years and became a single father to two daughters after his first wife, Sandra, lost her battle with cancer in 1992. He married his second wife, Cindy, in 1997, and was thrilled to gain two stepdaughters.
Through the shock of losing Sandra and the joyous occasion of finding love again, Kaveney’s demeanor never changed. It was a reflection of his ability to lead. Though family was always his first priority, Kaveney never flinched when balancing his schedule became hectic.
“He set the bar for all of us because he did juggle everything,” Puglisi said. “We looked up to him and saw that if he did it then we can do it, too.”
Jim Faiella, the treasurer of TWIST softball, met Kaveney in 1988 when Beth joined the organization as a player. The night before Kaveney passed, Faiella spoke with him on the phone about plans for the upcoming playoffs. It was a conversation he will always treasure.
“Mike was a great guy. He was gentle, soft-spoken and an incredibly intelligent person,” Faiella said. “He was perfect for being our president. He was very tactful and he was excellent at leading. I don’t think anyone could find something not nice to say about him.”
A graduate of Grove City College and Waynesburg College, Kaveney met Puglisi in 1979 when they both began working at Troutman’s Department Store at Franklin Mall. Their friendship blossomed.
Their free time was spent playing rotisserie baseball, a yearly fantasy football league or Saturday mornings on the golf course. The pair shared a bond through athletics.
Puglisi coached with Kaveney in softball until the latter was appointed tournament director for TWIST. And there were the tailgate parties where Kaveney wore his orange and brown attire to support the Cleveland Browns, when he took friendly razzing for years from Puglisi and other Steeler fans.
When Kaveney decided to continue his duties well after his oldest daughter hung up her softball cleats, Puglisi was not surprised. His friend’s passion was sports. He recalls a conversation when they called TWIST their “keep kids out of the mall league.”
Kaveney helped create the six-and-under development league, created league schedules for the five slow-pitch age divisions and calmed the storm of chaos that frequently brewed, displaying patience and wisdom.
“Mike was hilarious. That helped us as an organization,” Puglisi said. “Anytime you get involved in youth sports, problems arise and things can get tense. The objectivity and humor he brought to every situation helped us through it.”
As family, friends, members of the community and former players mourn the loss of a man who went beyond the call of duty; they will recall the fond memories of Kaveney, who lent a helping hand to any athlete who simply wanted a chance to play softball.
“I still have trouble thinking that he’s not around,” Faiella said. “It’s like a nightmare. It’s really hard to believe.”