Charles "Gil" Harvel was the kind of guy who'd bake homemade pies for his neighbors, watch their pets and homes when they were gone and buy treats for the wildlife visiting his Centreville backyard.
"To know Gil was to love him," said Theresa Clements of the Newgate Forest community where he lived. "He had lots and lots of friends. He knew somebody every place we went."
That's why his death last week at age 70 is so difficult for all those who cared about him so much. "There's a big hole in our hearts," said friend and neighbor, Jacki Hogue. "Every time I look next door and don't see him sitting in the shade in his garage, watching people go by, I feel sad."
To honor him, an informal memorial service will be held Friday, June 4, at 7 p.m. at Payne's Restaurant, 13846 Lee Highway in Centreville. (For more information, call 703-830-2230).
Harvel grew up in Great Falls, served three years in the military as a teen-ager and then went into construction — mostly residential development. Before retiring, he was a construction supervisor for many years with Richmond American Homes (formerly Yeonas) and helped build communities including Gate Post Estates, Newgate Forest, Little Rocky Run and The Meadows.
He lived in Newgate Forest about 14 years and endeared himself to his neighbors. "He lived alone, so he became part of our family," said Hogue. He spent holidays with us and even visited our relatives in West Virginia with us."
HARVEL BELONGED to both the NRA and the Izaak Walton League and loved photographing wildlife. Known for his sense of humor, he even nicknamed the groundhogs in his neighborhood after cartoon characters Beavis and Butthead.
"He used to feed the deer that came into his backyard and then photograph them," said Hogue. "He'd buy dog food to feed the raccoons and possums, and he'd put out cantaloupe and watermelon for the box turtles. He loved all animals. His own pets were his cats, Bear and Tiger.
Harvel enjoyed fishing with Hogue's son, Willie, and was a Civil War buff. He was also a fount of local knowledge. "He knew everything about the history of Centreville," said Clement.
And, said Hogue, he was an "awesome" cook. "He was well-known in the area for his apple pies," she said. "He also made great bread pudding and said it really needed raisins in it. I didn't like raisins, so he made it for me without them, but teased me, the whole time."
Clements said Harvel liked pulling practical jokes and was lots of fun to be around. But he also had a thoughtful, caring side. "If my daughter was ill, he'd bring her doughnuts," said Clements. Added Hogue: "Whenever my girls were ill, he brought them strawberry shortcake. He was wonderful to all of us."
And the neighbors reciprocated. For instance, Harvel didn't like eating alone, so the Hogues and Clements often invited him to their homes for dinner. He also liked eating at Payne's Restaurant in Centreville and became good friends with the owners. He and Clements' husband Ray also enjoyed breakfast together every Sunday at the Yorkshire Restaurant in Manassas Park.
But most of all, he showed his friends and neighbors kindnesses without number. "Once you got to know him, he had a heart of gold," said Hogue. "He was like a grandfather to my kids and took care of my dogs when we were gone for the day," added Clements. "If we were on vacation, he'd drive by and check on our house. We didn't even ask him to."
BUT LAST Wednesday, May 19, Harvel's big heart finally gave out. He'd collapsed, the day before, while on dialysis in Falls Church for a long-time kidney problem. He died the next morning, of heart failure, at Inova Fairfax Hospital. The Hogues, Clements, his stepdaughter and stepson were with him.
"He been in bad health, the past several months," said Clements. "He'd had quadruple-bypass surgery, 19 years ago, and the dialysis was hard on his heart. Eventually, his heart couldn't take it, anymore."
But through it all, Harvel put on his happiest face for his friends. "I know he was in a lot of pain, but he never complained," said Clements. "He wanted you to think everything was fine."
Contributions payable to the Arlington-Fairfax Chapter of the Izaak Walton League of America may be sent to P.O. Box 366, Centreville, VA 20122-0366. The league will use them to honor Harvel's memory.