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- OBIT: Dr. Donald J. Gorczyca of Kent
Grew up dreaming of living amid trees, woods and farmland. When he was growing up on Cleveland's east side, he had one tree in his yard. He wanted more. He wanted a farm. A chunk of land where he could raise animals, walk under the shade of tall trees and celebrate and share the beauty of God's world with his wife, his children and grandchildren. When he died suddenly Tuesday at 59, Don Gorczyca had fulfilled that dream. He had a loving wife, two daughters, a son-in-law and three grandchildren, and more than 300 acres of farmland in Southern Ohio, where the family gathered to celebrate life's joys, mourn life's tragedies and share in each other's gifts. Don spent almost every weekend on the farm. It was his respite and his reward for a life well lived. When he was not at the farm, Don lived in Kent in the home he and his wife, Becky, bought 34 years ago. He worked as a computer and business consultant for many businesses throughout Northeastern Ohio. He taught part-time as a professor of finance and real estate at Kent State University. He had also taught at Hiram College, Youngstown State, Baldwin-Wallace and John Carroll universities. Don was born in Cleveland on March 16, 1943 to Stanley and Marie (Harrison) Gorczyca. He attended John Adams High School and graduated from Parma Senior High School. He married Becky (Nestor), a native of Brewster, OH. on Sept. 9, 1967. Don received his Bachelor's, Master's and Ph.D. degrees from Kent State. Don is survived by his wife; daughter, Ann Kardos and son-in-law, Shane Kardos of Kent; and daughter, Beth Gorczyca of Huntington, WV. He is also survived by his mother, Marie Gorczyca of Parma; and brother, Richard Gorczyca of San Ramon, CA. Don has three grandchildren, Nickolas, Natasha and Christopher Kardos. He has one niece, Lauren Gorczyca of San Ramon, CA. He is also survived by his in-laws, Richard and Ila Nestor of Port Charlotte, FL., and Rick and Cathy Nestor of Massillon. He is preceded in death by his father. His funeral will be 11 a.m. Tuesday at the First Congregational Church of Ravenna, 266 S. Chestnut St. VISITING HOURS WILL BE HELD FROM 2-4 AND 7-9 P.M. MONDAY AT BISSLER & SONS FUNERAL HOME, 628 W. MAIN ST., KENT (330) 673-5857. ''To my father who did what was required of him: to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with his God.'
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