Andrew Gargac

Andrew Phillip Gargac, 57, of Oregon, Ohio passed away on Friday, April 14, 2023 at Hospice of Northwest Ohio in Toledo, Ohio. He was born on November 4, 1965 in Toledo, Ohio, the son of Phillip and Sharon (Garczynski) Gargac. He married Roberta “Bobbi” Duke on 11/09/1993 and she survives. Andy and Bobbi met when they were set up on a blind date by Andy’s UT classmate, Jo Shible Duke. In a fun twist, Jo later became a relative after marrying Bobbi’s brother.

Andy lived his entire life in the Toledo area where he played lots of baseball and basketball growing up. He spent incalculable hours playing Strikeout in the yard of Fassett Middle School with the kids in the neighborhood. If you look, you can still see the faint outlines of the strike zones on the west side of the building!

He attended St. Thomas Aquinas School in Toledo where he played basketball. He then went to Cardinal Stritch Catholic High School in Oregon, Ohio where he played basketball, baseball, and was a member of the National Honor Society, graduating in 1984. He would later be inducted into the Stritch Hall of Fame as a member of the 1984 Basketball Team. The bonds of friendship among that team remain to this day. He furthered his education at the University of Toledo, School of Engineering, where he graduated in 1990 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering.

Early in his career, Andy worked at ITW DeVilbiss. He developed 2 products for automotive paint spray booths that were patented. He went to work for a Tier 1 Honda supplier in Findlay that is now called Hitachi Astemo. Over the years, Andy moved through several positions on the Production Support side of the business, including New Model, R & D, Finance, LEAN, Safety, Facilities, Legal, and finally as a manager at the Corporate/Regional level for Human Resources. He espoused the Servant Leadership model that contributed to positive improvements in the company culture. As an officer in the Honda LEAN network, Andy facilitated events where fellow suppliers could share best practices by offering tours of their plant. He also planned quarterly and annual conferences.

Andy was an active parishioner in the Epiphany of the Lord Parish (formerly St. Thomas Aquinas). He also volunteered as an East Toledo Pre-Cana leader where he and Bobbi led marriage preparation classes for engaged couples for over a decade. He also served on the Cardinal Stritch School Board for over 6 years.

Andy was a fan of things on 4 wheels that go fast. A highlight every year was attending the Indy 500 with his former college roommate, Steve Sprecher. A favorite way to spend a free evening was to attend car shows with his father and brother. When time allowed, he enjoyed building model car kits. He loved taking Bobbi on dinner dates that began with a long drive in his convertible along winding country roads. Bobbi shared her fondness of theatrical productions and Andy came to appreciate them, too.

Andy loved being a father and most weekends were spent at a ballfield or a soccer pitch cheering on Alex and Ava. He enjoyed watching them learn and progress. Nothing made him happier than seeing them succeeding at what they loved doing. He rarely missed a game, Boy Scout Court of Honor, dance recital, or musical. His favorite season wasn’t spring, it was March Madness. He would have the whole family fill out brackets to encourage good-natured competition.

Survivors include his beloved wife, Bobbi; children, Alexander and Ava Gargac; parents, Phillip and Sharon Gargac; brother, Paul  James (Susan) Gargac; aunts and uncles, Arlene (George) Sell, Glenn (Rosa) Gargac, Gloria Kalisieski, Mary Clime; nieces & nephews, Jade (Carlos) Garza, Mark Garza, Sydney Garza, Olivia Gargac, Daria Winsky, Zoe Winsky, Dean Duke, Adam Duke, Dylan Duke; and numerous cousins whom he held dear. He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Vincent & Charlotte (Rudnicki) Garczynski; paternal grandparents, Alexander Gargac & Marian (Sloan) Loertscher (widowed), Donald Loertscher (Marian’s second husband); Uncle John Kalisieski (late husband of Gloria), Uncle John Clime (late husband of Mary Clime), and cousin, Gloria Sell.

Visitation will be held on both Wednesday, April 19 and Thursday, April 20 from 4-8 pm at the Oregon Walker Funeral Home, 3500 Navarre Avenue, Oregon, Ohio. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, April 21 at 11 am at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, 729 White Street, Toledo, Ohio. Viewing will begin one hour prior to the Mass. Burial will follow in Lake Township Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of NWO, Cardinal Stritch Catholic High School, St. Ursula Academy, and Toledo Clinic Foundation.

Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.walkerfuneralhomes.com.