Frank "Gus" Guzevich passes away

[gregu...@earthlink.net]

To all of our friend within the polka community:

Our dad, Frank "Gus" Guzevich died unexpectedly at home in his sleep
last night. We miss him greatly already and ask for your prayers for
our mom, Nellie, who is truly heartbroken. This is truly a shock and
loss to us all.

I will submit details on the viewing and funeral as soon as they are
made. In the meantime, thank you so much for all of the wonderful words
and condolences many of you have already left for our family.

Sadly,

Greg Guzevich
The Guzevich Family

[Paulie]

Our sincere condolences go out to the entire Guzevich Family. This is
truly a shock and gus will be sorely missed but always remembered.

Sincerely,
Paul Romanowski
The New Brass Express

[Sand]

Greg,

We were at church when I received a text message about this sad news,
and we said a special prayer for him and for all of the family.

You Dad was a very special person to us! I know he was always very
proud of you, and your whole family... What a dream come true to have
your wife and your children on stage with you playing polka music! He
was an honorable man with a love for polka music and mostly, a love for
his family.

Remember, keep the memories close to your heart...and he will never be
far away.

The Lewandowski's

[Peter J. Danielczuk]

Greg, I was devastated at the news of your Dad's passing away. I will
always remember the great times I had with him and all the talks we
had. He was truly a great man. To your mom, tell her I send all my
love and prayers. We know he is now part of the great polka band up in
heaven. To you and your brothers and sister, God Bless. He will
always be in my prayers.

Peter J. Danielczuk

[polk...@buffalo.com]

On Behalf of myself,Lynna and my mom Brunia I was taken aback at the
news which came in just as I was starting my radio show today. Papa Gus
will be missed be all for his excitment and love of polka's. The Polka
Family was indeed a family with love and loved by all! To the Guzewicz
family God Bless and to Gus, God Speed!
Greg Chwojdak
Buffalo New York

[nospam_c...@verizon.net]

Knowing Gus made life more interesting. Now, everyone would think
that polkas would be the key to my memories with Gus, but they aren't.
What stands out most in my mind are several phone calls from him,
several years back, where we talked "history." Gus was, as he put it,
a "trained historian." We talked at lengthy about history and how it
applied to current day events, "including" polkas.

Gus was a true diplomat of polka music. I really think he had more fun
on stage than anyone else I've ever known in polka music. He was like
a "kid" up there, having his candy and feeling great about it.

May he rest in peace. He left us way to early.

Steve

Steve Litwin
Polka Editor
Polish American Journal Newspaper

www.polamjournal.com
select POLKAS

[axma...@cs.com]

I remember seeing Polka Family for the first time at The Dells the
night before we played what energy and great music... Gus came off
stage and said hi to us and we had a nice chat with him. Its always
so sad when one of the good ones passes... My heartful thoughs and
Prayers go out to the entire Guzevich family. Heaven is that much
richer with his music now.

Fred Axberg
Drummer for John Fililpczak and the Classics
and the Jolly Zuks

[kkur...@yahoo.com]

Condolences to the Guzevich family on their loss. Gus was truly a
class act and will surely be missed. The thoughts and prayers of my
family are with you.

[General Mills]

Truly a great loss to the Guzevich Family our deepest condolences to
the family and friends. Gus was a class act on and off the stage always
giving words of encouragment to fellow musicians and friends.Will
always remember him with a smile on stage at Pulaski or any other place
you saw him performing. Wherever you saw Nellie , Gus was not far away
they are a family. From all the members of Chad Przybylski & The Polka
Rhythms you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Polka Forward &
Onward
Jim Miller

[UPSTATE POLKAS]

Again, my Prayers go out to the whole Guzevich Family. What a GREAT
loss to the Polka Industry. We lost a man that had so much fun up on
state when he was performing. Does anyone know an address where we can
send condolence cards?

Mark Komar
UPSTATE POLKAS

[RichieA]

My prayers and thoughts of a man that had so much love for his family.
Gus on stage brought so much energy and showmanship to the Polka. I had
many conversations with Gus thru the years and such a gentleman and
friend. To the Gusevich Family I express our condolences.

Richie "A"
Polka Hot Spot Show
Zmansquest Network

[Maestro's Men]

Greg,

I can not express how shocked and sad I was to hear the news. I always will
treasure the times watching your dad perform and the chats we had together.
He was a fireball of energy on stage. When I asked him where he got his
energy from, he said with a smile "from chopping wood in the yard". The
Polka field will all miss him dearly. To you, Nellie, Fred, Hank, Alicia
and your families our sincerest condolences.

Dennis Polisky and The Maestro's Men (Jackie, Ken, Andy, Stan, Richie,
Karen)

<gregu...@earthlink.net> wrote in message
news:1137960065.9...@z14g2000cwz.googlegroups.com...

[lib...@maestrosmen.com]

Dear Nellie, Fred, Hank, Greg, Alicia and the entire Guzevich
Family.......

I was in the middle of doing our Sunday polka show when I received a
rather shocking call from Ken Yash. I just couldn't believe what I was
hearing, and it became increasing difficult to continue. Gus was truly
one of those people you hope to meet in life's travels; a genuinely
good person who always took the time to talk with you, encourage you
when needed, and share a few laughs, too. I don't think I ever saw him
on stage without his trademark "choreography" and enthusiasm. What a
good time he always had! I am extremely grateful for having known your
dad and for having shared the stage with him and the Family on many
occasions. I, too, will miss him greatly.

[Polish Prince (Szynka)]

Greg,
Please know how much we feel this grief.
Our love to Nellie and all of you.

Larry and Nancy Zeleznik

<gregu...@earthlink.net> wrote in message
news:1137960065.9...@z14g2000cwz.googlegroups.com...

[tjsal...@atlanticbb.net]

My deepest sympathies go out to the entire Guzevich family during this
difficult time. I can not even begin to imagine what you must be going
through. Anybody that ever saw Polka Family could tell the passion Gus
had for Polka Music, and playing on stage with his family and friends
meant the world to him. Just talking to him would brighten your day,
the stories he'd tell, laughing and making you laugh. He will be sorely
missed. See ya in Polka Heaven "Papa Gus"

TJ Salonick

[tjsal...@atlanticbb.net]

[Wisconsin's Concertina Kid]

On behalf of the members of Gary's Ridgeland Dutchmen here in
Wisconsin, we'd also like to express our sypmathy wishes to the
Guzevich family. A true loss of a great person.

I'll never forget the FIRST time I ever got to meet the band and
family, it was on-stage here in Wausau, WI about 11 years ago. I
thought, holy cow, what are we doing here? We were the first band on,
and our German/Dutchmen style sound, alternating with a HUGE POLKA
POWER HOUSE BAND! I was scared out of my mind. Then they all walked
in, we met AND ABSOLUTELY HAD A BLAST! Thanks for the great memories,
and visits! Polka Heaven just got another FANTASTIC PERSON IN GUS!!!
The whole Polka World will miss you!!

Sincerely,

Gary W. Brueggen
"Wisconsin's Concertina Kid"
Gary's Ridgeland Dutchmen
Cashton, WI

[mic...@mrmenterprises.ca]

Nellie, Hank, Greg, Fred, Alicia and all the Guzevich family,

I know I speak on behalf of all the Musicalaires' families in sending
our most sincere condolences and sympathies to you upon the passing of
your Dad.

Personally your Dad was an inspiration, not only through his obvious
love and enthusiasm for polka music during any given performance, but
perhaps moreso ... the fact that he had the vision and opportunity of
performing on stage with his own "family".

It's difficult enough for most fathers to be able to get their families
through any festive dinner without some "waves", let alone the skill
set and personal ability to sucessfully navigate and knit together a
family band which consistantly has been considered to be "the best of
the best".

While the "polka nation" will dearly miss his warm smile and goodness,
we can take some consolation that his endearing legacy and love will
continue to vividly live on within all of the "Polka Family".

Michael "Twink" Melymuka

[Kathy]

Guzevich family,
We were devastated to find out about Gus's passing while on the last
day of the Ultimate Polka Cruise 2006. There were alot of sad polka
people from Wisconsin after hearing this news. Gus will truly be missed
on and off stage. What a class act he was and your whole family is! Our
prayers and condolences go out to your family.
Love,
Ron & Kathy Raczkowski
Polish Connection Band

[tom.wan...@gmail.com]

On behalf of the Wanderlich family, we would like to send our
condolences
to the Guzevich family. We'll all remember Gus as a true gentleman on
and off the stage. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.

The Wanderlich's
Tommy, Sonny, Johnny

[johnn...@yahoo.com]

On behalf of my family, I would like to extend our condolences to the
whole Guzevich family during this emotional time.

I will remember all the good times we shared with Gus at alot of
places. But one sticks out the most, and that was when The Polka
Family would come out to Timmer's Grove in PA. They would get in and
Gus would entertain along with the family like only they could! Then
all the fun conversations off stage...Everything will be missed...

God Bless you Gus...

Our Thoughts, and Prayers are with you....

The Pilch's, Chacho's, Czahor's, and Schreffler's

[THEKNEWZ]

On behalf of all the guys in the KNEWZ. We would like extend our
sincerest condolences to the Guzevich family. Not only will he be
missed as a great musician, but as a husband, father and grandfather.
Seeing Gus up on stage is what gives us musicians our energy to
entertain job in and job out. God bless you all in this time of
grief......The Polka world misses you already!

The KNEWZ
Tommy, Mike, Brian, John, Andy, and Tom

[malyfranekII]

The passing of such a great husband, Father, bandleader saddens all who
knew him. My deepest condolence goes out to his wife, sons and daughter.
Gus was always smiling and you just knew he enjoyed every minute being on
stage entertaining the audience, he will be missed by all of those
involved with polkas.

[Cyman Says !!!!]

FROM The Cyman's & The Musicalaires
On behalf of myself.and my wife Judy,and all the Musicalaires and their
families,we would like to extend our condolences for the loss of a
great friend.Over the past 12 years,we have come to know and love
Gus,and the whole family through dances we ran in Fla,and most recently
through shared appearences on the road with the Musicalaires.We have
all suffered a great loss in the sudden passing of this
wonderful,caring,and loving man.Gus
truly showed his real colors,every time he performed on stage..For a
man,to have so much energy,and excitement,was truly amazing.The Polka
field has truly lost ,another POLKA GIANT.We will all miss you
Gus...May God bless you and keep your soul in Heaven.Hopefully,some
day,we'll all be together,again. Love, Jan& Judy Cyman

[CA's Polka Bob]

We remember "Gus" from the many years his "Family Band"
performed in Southern California before he, "Nellie"
and their children moved to Pennsylvania .

Condolences and God's blessing to the Guzevich family.

Bob Banoczi

[Christy]

Our deepest sympathies go out to the entire Guzevich family during this

difficult time. You are in our thoughts and prayers

John and Christy Krawisz
and all the boys of Freeze Dried