Duane "Doc" Gwiazda

We could write the story of my father's life a million different ways, but would it ever completely tell his story, completely show what he meant to us... No!  Our father was Our Rock to Lean On, Cry On, Learn From and Laugh With.  He was a prankster, jokester and storyteller!  For as small as he was, he was tough as nails and one hell of a fighter to the end.  He loved to scream "Mama!" on top of a roller coaster just for s.... and giggles, or always say his favorite memory of the US Army was "blowing s.... up!"    "Doc", his Army Medic nickname, could tell you stories about USAMRIID at Fort Detrick, Maryland where he worked back in the seventies... meaning he hated the monkeys at USAMRIID and also in the movie 'Wizard of Oz'! Those monkeys terrified him!  He would tell you the story of how he was caught in his hammock at Fort Ripley between a Mama Bear and her Cubs... needless to say he made it out alive or how he smashed his poor finger between a huge steel door on base and he never stopped telling that story.  Or how I (Regina) will never forget sitting in the back seat of my mom's yellow Camaro as a kid, eating copious amounts of popcorn at the drive-in with him or at home fishing in the pond for Catfish... he made the best damn fish fry ever along with his marinated shish kabobs. Or how he love to go to the "Back to the 50's Car Show" or listen to Pink Floyd with my sister Dani while playing poker.  Or how he wouldn't touch one Christmas cookie until the end of February, it was like clockwork for him. Or when he wants you to go away, he will crinkle his nose and mouth and gesture with his hand while saying "Ehhhh" or if he's excited to see you "Hey Kid!" is what he would say. My father loved Duct Tape and he would USE it to wrap our Christmas presents or thought it was fun as all Hell to weld mother's presents shut!  He loved Fireworks and his Harley-Davidson!  He loved his Ford Rangers and John Deere tractors!  He loved pontoon rides and sunsets! He loved his Pabst Blue Ribbon beer while smoking his Swisher Sweets!  He loved his TV shows Hogan Heros and Mash... which to this day he would always give me grief about how I interrupted his Hogan's Heroes show when I was born.  He loved classic rock from Pink Floyd, Black Sabbath, Thin Lizzy and Led Zeppelin, just to name a few!  But most importantly, he loved living life and laughing hard! What happened that night to make him fall, we will never truly know.  But I do know this, a piece of our heart disappeared that night for him but our memories became even more alive OF him! We just hope that he knows some way, somehow that he will always be loved and so very missed!  We hope you're full of life and laughter in Heaven and that you know all of your family and friends will miss you dearly!  You were the best damn father ever!  May you rest in peace!
We love You so much Daddy!!!  One day we will meet you again!    Duane Walter Gwiazda - age 64 - Peacefully passed away June 12th, 2021 surrounded by his loved ones.
Love and miss you always Daddy!
Regina
Danielle
& Your Beloved Wife - Gloria
 

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