We will miss you Duane

On August 14th, we received word that our friend and big brother, Duane Kemenyes had left this earth. We met the Kemenyes’ in 1992 when we moved to Valley View. However we didn’t really get to know them until we started playing on the Friday night golf league at Skyland. Along with Lisa and Duane, came Bob and Irene Gazdak, her parents, and Anthony and Karyn Zarlenga, their best friends. We began a friendship that still is as strong today as it was 20 something years ago.

I wanted Emily, Duane and Lisa’s daughter ( in law) who is married to their son, Kyle, to read my humble words at the mass but I didn’t have enough time to write a thoughtful eulogy and Duane deserves my best. So here goes…..

We fell in love with the Zarlenga’s and the Gazdak’s and the Kemenyes and became a family. Like all families, we shared the joys and shouldered the burdens. You all know that Branden had some difficulties and troubles. Finally, in 2007, he was trying to make a new life. He had no job and needed help. It was the Gazdak’s who offered him a job at their shop and it was Lisa and Duane who gave him guidance and help. Now 17 years later, he has a loving family, a great job and is living a life that he can be proud of….thanks to them. These few words cannot convey my love and thankfulness for all of you. I will love and cherish Duane and his family forever for the help they gave us.

For many years, we spent Friday evenings laughing and loving with our “family”. Duane had been ill for 6 years and we all knew that time was running out. His best friend, Anthony, brought him to Florida to see us. I want to tell Anthony that we know how much he loves Duane and we’re sorry that we cannot ease his sadness. But Anthony is the best and gave Duane all he could of his time, energy kindness and love. As gruff as he appears, his heart is soft!

We spent 4 days having a great time, talking and reminiscing. But most of all we were able to tell Duane how much we loved him and appreciated all he had done for us. I will cherish that time forever. We want Lisajoy, Kyle, Kaylie, Emily, and George to know that you are in our thoughts daily and we know that memories of Duane will ease your pain.

Duane wrote his own eulogy and I would like to close with his words….

"Once I realized that I wasn't going to be around forever, I think that's when I recognized my life was so magical. One day you will eat your last meal, smell your last flower, kiss your wife goodnight for the last time, send your kids 1 love you' with a heart emoji, and hug your friends for the last time; but you may not know that would be the last time. That's why I believe that you should approach each day with love and passion.

Happiness is amazing. And what's lovely about it is it doesn't matter if it's yours or not. A society grows great when old men plant trees that provide shade of which they know they will never sit in. Good people do things for other people, without need for recognition; try to remember that.”…………….. RIP, Duane, we will miss you forever.