In Memoriam: Gerry Huzar (1950-2011)
When NAFA Fleet Management Association was created more than 50 years ago, it helped form a bond between fleet professionals throughout the United States and Canada. The Association, largely run by volunteers, considers itself a family. With deep regret, NAFA’s Executive Director, Phillip E. Russo, CAE, sent a message to the Membership on January 3rd to announce the loss of a very important member of that family - Gerry Huzar.
Huzar passed away peacefully on December 31, 2011 at the age of 61. Huzar had been at Sunnybrook Hospital, Toronto. The cause for is passing is the combination of Burkitt's lymphoma and brain cancer. He was surrounded by his loving family.
Huzar is survived by wife Lesia, daughter Anna, and his mother Maria. He is sadly missed by his brother Danny (Lydia), nephews Andrew, Daniel, and niece Marika. NAFA offers heartfelt condolences to the family for their loss.
"NAFA Members recalled how he always looked forward to the spring so that he could ride his motorcycle and golf with his ’foursome,’" said Russo. "I remember Gerry’s smile and great sense of humor. He was a very active member of NAFA and the Association appreciates his service through the years. It’s the work of volunteers like Gerry that make NAFA a successful organization."
Huzar was a member of NAFA and was a Member of the Ontario chapter. He worked for Nabisco, Ltd./Kraft Foods, Canada, from which he retired. His record of activity within NAFA-related efforts was impressive and was a model for others to follow. As Vice President for Canada (on the NAFA Board of Trustees) Huzar served two separate times, from 1996 to 1999, and from 2002 to 2003. Further efforts included:
- Ontario Chapter Audit Committee (1993-1994)
- Chapter Leader (1995-1996)
- National Program Committee (1995-1999)
- Officer/Trustee (1996-1999)
- National Membership Committee (1996-1999)
- National Safety Committee (1996-1997)
- I&E Arrangements Committee (2000-2002)
- I&E Curriculum Committee (2000-2002)
- I&E Steering Board (2001-2002)
Visitation was held on Tuesday, January 3 at the Ogden Funeral Home, Scarborough, ON. Funeral Mass was held at St. Peter and Paul’s Ukrainian Catholic Church on January 4. In lieu of flowers, it was requested that donations be made in Huzar’s memory to the Canadian Cancer Society.