CARDIOLOGY, PRIMARY CARE AND NUTRITION

Blogpost: What I learned from Uncle Gary

What is your story? Perhaps it is different from what others might know. My Uncle Gary Guidi passed away this week and he did not want an obituary. He did not say he did not want a blogpost tribute so this one is dedicated to him. You see I don’t think he thought he was worthy of the obituary, but the story I would like to share makes him most worthy. I think he was worthy because of the kindness he showed to those around him. Most of which was anonymous. He was the living example of Billy Joel’s piano man with the exception that he told stories and didn’t play the piano. He entertained with stories of a tragic past made into a tragic comedy. He will be remembered for those stories and the smiles that he brought to people that had their own tragic stories. He was my youngest uncle, and I was always entertained by his stories of my immigrant relatives. He was most comfortable telling the stories when he was young and life was simple and carefree. We shared a love of basketball, and he was my anonymous assistant coach as I struggled to coach a traveling girls basketball team. He admired my efforts and patiently tried to educate me. It was ok that my team was not the most winning team because we both knew the best part was the stories we had from coaching. He showed me that we don’t ever really know another person’s “story” and struggles.
In medicine we are taught to look at what is wrong and try to make it right. In this practice we are trying to help people achieve optimal health and wellness through nutrition and movement. We are trying to educate people to live a more healthful and active life. Because of what I have learned from Uncle Gary, I want to also celebrate the positive stories and share them with others no matter how small because we all have our own stories and struggles.
The important message is that you can choose your own story and I hope you choose one that makes you smile.
Thank you Uncle Gary. You will be missed.

9 Comments
  1. Reply
    Natalie Holmes

    that was beautiful. I’m sorry to hear of his passing. Hoping he is in a better place and healthy like he once was!!!!!

    • Reply
      Dr. Dulaney

      Thank you

  2. Reply
    Carol

    Sorry we didn’t get to know your uncle , we enjoyed the short time from Addie and Nathan’s wedding . Our love and prayers are with you all 🙏

    • Reply
      Dr. Dulaney

      Thank you

  3. Reply
    Ingrid Modaresi

    Beautiful tribute. Sorry for your loss.

    • Reply
      Dr. Dulaney

      Thank you

  4. Reply
    Tom and Carol

    Sorry for your loss …… we were privileged to have met Gary and visit his bar. He was a character and welcomed you with a story. Our prayers for your family and may Gary Rest In Peace😘

    • Reply
      Dr. Dulaney

      Thank you Carol and Tom

  5. Reply
    Terry Boone

    Here it is three years later and I am seeing this post for the first time. Gary and I were close friends from childhood in Maidsville all the way through our the year before he died. I would visit him on my trips back to Morgantown and we would yuk it up at Bugsy’s.
    We once discussed trying to organize a Maidsville reunion and agreed that we would invite ONLY the people we wanted to.
    Yes, he had a lot of stories. As a teenager, his first kiss came from my older sister.. When we drank beer in later years and rekindled some of the stories, both of us would be on tears thinking of my sister’s tragic death at 23 in an airplane crash.
    I miss him. Thank you for letting others know what he meant to you.
    Would love to see any old photos.
    Hi to your mom.

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