AVON, Ohio - Alan J. Guzik, 74, owner of Energy Management Specialists of Cleveland, passed away Oct. 21, 2008, following an extended illness. He founded the company in 1980. In business, he was passionate about training and was honored by the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) with their Excellence in Training Award, and was the recipient of the Best Contractor to Work for Award from The NEWS.

Guzik was a 42-year member of the Refrigeration Service Engineers Society (RSES), where he served as past president and Education Committee chair. He was a licensed contractor in the state of Ohio and was a member of the Association of Energy Engineers, the United Service Alliance, the Unified Group, and a board member of the Cuyahoga Valley Career Center.

“Shine,” as he was known to many in his family, was a member of Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception Church in Avon; he had previously been a 30-year parishioner of Saint John Roman Catholic Church in Lorain, where he was active as an usher, and was acknowledged as Holy Name Man of the Year in 1973. Guzik was also a member of the Maserati Club and had the privilege of driving a lap at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Clara, sons Alan (Kathy), Joseph (Sandy), and John; daughters Kathleen (Tom) Wilson, Karen (Vince) Piccolomini, and Kristine Guzik; several grandchildren and step-grandchildren; and sisters Carol Szabo and Marlene Chrulski. He was preceded in death by his parents Joseph and Stephanie Guzik, and sister Joan Hritsko.

Publication date: 11/17/2008