A softball Hall of Famer, friendly server, and loving husband, David Guzdek is being remembered in South Florida.
Friends and family, customers and teammates will gather at Matty’s in Wilton Park, this Saturday, March 19, at 5 p.m. He died last month from lung cancer at the age of 47.
He moved from Buffalo, New York, to South Florida in the ‘90s. Shortly after arriving, Guzdek became a familiar face at LGBT hot spots. He worked at Cathode Ray in Fort Lauderdale and several other places over the years, most recently at Matty’s.
He married Butch Fornaza in 2016. At the time of his death, Fornaza said, “All who knew him knew what a kind and generous soul he was."
Fornaza wrote Wednesday morning on Facebook: "He was one of a kind. My heart hurts and my life will never be the same without him. I know he is in a better place, but we are going to miss him terribly."
They married on Feb. 29, Leap Day, because Guzdek said he only wanted to remember an anniversary once every four years. The date, much like himself, is unforgettable.
Guzdek was a fierce competitor. He was a familiar face at poker tables, bowling lanes, and the local softball league. And it was softball that was his true passion. He was inducted into the SFAAA Hall of Fame in 2015, and this past November, he was finally on a championship-winning team.
“He was more than just a member in our league," SFAAA Commissioner Jarvis McCray said. "He was an integral part of SFAAA. He was family to many."
The Celebration of Life begins at 5 p.m. at Matty’s, at 2100 Wilton Drive in Wilton Manors.
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