A Good Man is Gone

sspx0032.jpg It is with great sadness that I must pass along that my Brother-In-Law Gayle died yesterday morning (7/25/07) while playing with his son in the water behind their Summer home on Lake Leelanau near Traverse City, Michigan.  He had a sudden and unexpected heart attack and never really resuscitated at all.  He turned 57 last month. 

 gayle-owen.jpg Gayle with Owen (Baby Zabs) 2006

Gayle was the founder and head of the law firm Arnold, Todaro & Welch in Columbus, Ohio.  He was his high school class Valedictorian.  He holds a Bachelors Degree from Taylor University, a Master of Arts in Education from Ball State University and a Juris Doctor degree from the Notre Dame Law School.  He was arguably the best medical malpractice defense lawyer in a multi-state area.  I really don’t think there would be much argument about that however.  Gayle leaves his wife Susie (my sister) and six children (including three step-children).

gayle-susie.jpg Gale & Susie, Lake Leelanau 2006

Gayle was a terrific guy and Christian father and will be sorely missed by all those that know and love him.  The first pic above was taken when we had dinner together this past Thursday night 7/19/2007.  It was taken with my new cell phone as I was updating the caller ID with photos.  [since it is easier to look at pictures to see who is calling rather than read the fine print with my aging eyes.]  God’s speed Gayle……………

 

July 26, 2007 | Filed Under Personal 

comments

12 Responses to “A Good Man is Gone”

  1. the Grit on July 26th, 2007

    Hi Steve,

    Sudden deaths in the family are never easy to deal with. We’ve had enough in ours for me to understand this. My thoughts are with you.

    the Grit

    Hi Grit………….thanks, its times like this that bring us around to a little reality………steve

  2. misi on July 27th, 2007

    My deepest sympathies are with you and your family.

    Missi………thanks so much for stopping by and such warm words. Also, hope all works out well in the fallout of that Sanford plane crash. …………..steve

  3. Mommy Zabs on July 28th, 2007

    i still can’t believe it is true.

    Liz……thats two of us…….dad

  4. writer chick on July 28th, 2007

    Hey Steve,
    Condolences. Prayers to the family.
    WC


    WC thanks for the prayers and the good words……….steve

  5. John Kaiser on July 28th, 2007

    “He turned 57 last month.”

    My prayers are with you. Did he have a heart defect? Seems kind of young for a heart attack.

    John……..Oh yes, he had a triple or quadruple heart bypass about 12 years ago. Thanks for the prayers……steve

  6. Tammi on July 29th, 2007

    Hi Steve,
    I’m so sorry to hear this. Thank God he is a believer and is in eternity with Jesus. Still, it is so difficult when we continue missing them. God bless his family — and yours.

    Tammi…….thanks for the good words. He was a good guy. They live right across the street from me and down the road from Elizabeth (MZ). I like the look on your new site…………..steve

  7. Tammi on July 29th, 2007

    You are so welcome. It does bring tears to my eyes knowing how the family must just be in shock and disbelief. We’ll pray a special prayer for your sister and the kids.


    Tammi……..thanks…….steve

  8. Ham on July 29th, 2007

    My condolences.

  9. Angel on July 29th, 2007

    my prayers are with y’all…………God bless.

  10. Sandy on July 30th, 2007

    I first meet Gayle over 10 years ago at the courthouse. He was representing a doctor in a law suite in front of one of the visiting judges. I have always admire Gayle’s presence in and out of the courtroom. Gayle will be missed and my prayers are with Gayle’s family.

    Sandy…..We had the funeral today and there were an unbelievable number of eulogies offered with just what you are saying above. Thanks…..steve

  11. Steve on July 31st, 2007

    Ham & Angel………..thanks so much…….steve

  12. Frank Piscitelli on August 6th, 2007

    I knew Gayle as opposing counsel on a few cases and at medical negligence seminars in Ohio. I am 17 years younger than Gayle. He was very kind to me and showed an incredible amount of class in and out of the court room. He would always find me at the seminars and say hello. Sometimes we would have lunch togehter. Needless to say, he taught me a few valuable lessons that I will carry with me the rest of my career. Whenever I filed a malpractice case in central Ohio I always hoped I would draw Gayle as defense counsel because I knew he would treat me and my clients with dignity and respect. When I learned of his death last Firday I was shocked and saddened. I have not stopped thinking about him since I learned of his passing. We lost a great lawyer and more importantly a great human being. My prayers are with you and his family.

    Frank…….Thanks so much for dropping by and leaving a comment. It does my heart well to here him spoke so highly of by not only the lawyers in town, but opposing lawyers as well. Your sentiment is representative of that even though they didn’t express it through my blog. Again thanks so much, it really is uplifing……….steve

Leave a Reply