Walter "Eddie" Gazda

Walter Edward “Eddie” Gazda, Sr., 81, of Manchester, died peacefully on May 17, 2011 at the Elliot Hospital surrounded by his family.
He was born in Manchester on April 19, 1930, the son of Paul and Blanche (Piecuch) Gazda. He attended Manchester schools. He was a star pitcher for Sweeney Post in the late 1940’s and was drafted by the Boston Braves to play in the minor leagues. He was employed by Energy North for 36 years, retiring in 1993. He loved watching his birds and spending afternoons at the race track. He was an avid New England sports fan, had a great sense of humor, and enjoyed life. He will be remembered as a good man with many friends and will be missed by all.
Family members include his wife of 31 years, Louise (Dutton) Gazda; two sons, Walter Gazda, Jr., of Watertown, MA and Timothy Buswell of Wells, ME; three daughters, Elizabeth Gazda of Manchester, Donna Decato of North Berwick, ME and Sharon Buswell of Manchester; nine grandchildren and two great grandchildren; three sisters, Mrs. Edward (Helen) High and Mrs. Stanley (Charlotte) Poltak, both of Manchester, and Mrs. Edward (Vangie) Murphy of Bedford; and nephews, nieces and cousins.

A memorial gathering will take place on Sunday from Noon to 2:00 PM at Phaneuf Funeral Homes and Crematorium, 243 Hanover Street, Manchester with a celebration of his life to follow in the funeral home chapel at 2:00 PM. Burial will be at a later date in Holy Trinity Cemetery. For more information, go to www.phaneuf.net