Contributions to the tribute of Raymond W. Gwarek

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Monday, January 29, 2024

I got a call from Mr. Gwarek one day in 2020. He was looking for my mom, Marjorie Leona (Schrader)Heim, because he wanted to give her a plaque he had made for my Grandpa, Clyde Schrader, for his service to the Scouting community. He had been looking for my mom for a while, and eventually his daughter helped him find me on the internet. We arranged to meet on my family's next trip to Buffalo to visit my parents. We had such a lovely visit with him that afternoon. We talked scouting, of course, as my whole family grew up in that world. My mom was a den mother, my dad, William Frank Heim, a troop leader, my brother, Michael William Heim an Eagle Scout at age 13, and I was a Girl Scout. We talked about the flag pole erected at Camp Schoelkopf in honor of my Grandfather, and of the people we had in common. Our daughter Sofia was 12 at the time, and really loved meeting and chatting with Mr. Gwarek. We hoped to take him to lunch on our next visit. I am grateful to have met Mr. Gwarek, despite the pre-vaccine Covid challenge. I'm glad we made it work. As we left to drive home to NJ, he gave us one of his fabulous cutting boards which we display proudly. Thank you, "Wood Wizard!" Sending love to Ray's family and friends.

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Ann Taylor posted a symbolic gesture

Saturday, January 13, 2024

Such a nice man!! Always smiling and friendly

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Karen Andrews uploaded photo(s)

Monday, January 8, 2024

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Karen Andrews Posted Jan 8, 2024 at 2:12 AM

I want to send my deepest sympathy to the Gwarek family at this difficult time. We thought the world of your Dad. Ill share a bit of history. My dad and Ray were friends as teenagers and then both served in Korea at the same time. They were stationed apart but they were able to speak on the phone every once in a while. They remained lifelong friends and we call Ray Windy. My dad said it was because he talked alot. We knew him as Windy Gwarek. Ray did my dads Eulogy perfectly. We will miss him

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Harry M. DeBan uploaded photo(s)

Sunday, January 7, 2024

It is with great sadness that I learned (via Marty Abramson) of Ray Gwarek’s passing. I put together a simple memorial image panel, which I will attach. It’s a low-res jpeg that was compiled on an iPhone, but I hope that the message is clear enough. I am wheelchair bound and will not be able to attend the wake or funeral Mass, but will be there in spirit to pay my respects to a friend and true leader who helped inspire others, especially through the Order of the Arrow, to be true and dedicated leaders themselves. Just by way of note, for your personal info, as to how I knew Ray: I, too, am a Vigil Honor Arrowman, as well as a Founders Award recipient, and am currently 3 months into my 61st registered year of Scouting. I first met Ray back about 1969 or so, at Lodge Executive Board meetings when I was a chapter chief in Ho-De-No-Sau-Nee 159 (Portage Chapter; Portage and Ongara Chapters were merged to form Niagara Chapter, in 1970). I was elected Lodge Chief in 1970, having pleaded for unity at the Annual Lodge Conclave, and swore to do everything I could to make that happen if elected (as there was still post-Council & Lodge merger resentments from 1967 preventing the OA from doing its pledged duties as a truly unified new entity). Things back then were, literally, every Chapter fending for itself; we were a Lodge on paper, but not in practice. Well, I was elected, and Ray gave me a chance to prove my self, and saw that my pledge was genuine. He trusted his Chapter Chief to do his job, and he accorded me the same chance. When he did speak about something at those meetings, it was always constructive and respectful of both youth and adult roles. That lodge-year brought the various chapters together as a unified forward-thinking and moving Lodge, with the Chapter Chiefs and the Chapter Advisers all making it possible. I genuinely respected him on numerous levels, and was blessed to be able to call him a true friend over the years since. Thank you. With best regards, Yours in Scouting <—WWW —< Harry Harry M. DeBan ♿️ Lodge Chief, OA 159, 1970–1971

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Cynthia Leigh Heim Posted Jan 29, 2024 at 9:16 AM

This is a lovely tribute. I was so honored to meet Mr. Gwarek recently and talk about my grandfather Clyde Schrader who also dedicated his life to scouting and was member of OA as well. I am so sorry for your loss.

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Sue Lewandowski posted a condolence

Saturday, January 6, 2024

We first met your Dad at Region 9 Youth Archery Camp. He was truly one of a kind and will be missed by all who knew him. We are so sorry for your loss. Jerry and Sue Lewandowski

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Debbie anthony posted a symbolic gesture

Friday, January 5, 2024

We are so very sorry to hear of the passing of your precious Father and Grandfather. He led a very beautiful life with family and friends and the organizations he belonged to, and all his hobbies. Cherish all your beautiful memories and know that he is in a great and perfect place. We are praying for all of you. God bless, Paul and Debbie Anthony

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Jim Heinrich posted a condolence

Thursday, January 4, 2024

Sorry to hear that my friend, Ray has "Gone Home". When I was Scoutmaster of Troop 160 we use to invite Ray over with his neckerchief slide collection. The boys loved seeing all the different items that he used to make the slides with and also the stories behind them. Ray attended many Court of Honors and Boards of Review for the troop. He will be greatly missed but never forgotten. Yours in Scouting, Jim Heinrich

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The family of Raymond W. Gwarek uploaded a photo

Wednesday, January 3, 2024

Raymond W. Gwarek

1932 - 2024

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