Joe Kukral
Gary and I met in 1980 and hung-out at family celebrations, as I was married to Gary's cousin. This led to a close relationship that spanned decades.
I'm honored and privileged to have watched Gary's journey to become the consummate entrepreneur. It began with his landscaping business, moving onto concrete removal, but transformed altogether when he was inspired by Discovery Channel's West Coast and American Choppers.
As we watched, he told me he was going to buy a welder and build a bike. Gary's bike went on to win "Best in Show" at the 2006 IX Center Bike Show during the very height of Chopper mania. Everything Gary attempted always was a "home run", dating back to his HR records in Cleveland's little league baseball.
Having mastered bike building, Gary was always seeking the next entrepreneurial challenge guided by whatever he loved. As you know, Gary was not the type to "sit around", he was always busy doing whatever he loved while looking for entrepreneurial opportunities.
Gary was an awesome cook, and I can attest to that first hand. From his BBQ, to sushi, and even pierogis like my grandma's ... who's culinary and "master-of-all-trades" talents would lead to building food trucks, where he found his true-calling.
Although Gary was the consummate self-made man, he will be BEST remembered for his love of family and friends, for his love of life, and his love of good times in the company of the ones he loved. He had a passion for life like few I've ever known. I have countless awesome memories of him I will always cherish.
Gary was one of the coolest, smartest, funniest, most generous, hard-working, creative, gifted, and caring people I've ever known. Gary touched many lives, and his candle will burn in all our hearts forever.
RIP Gary.
