I will miss this big guy, with a big heart.
His knowledge for photography and the kitchen. He was a GREAT Friend indeed.


Slim you were always our teddy bear. You would always give a hug that felt like you fixed everything that was wrong. You will always be my teddy bear 🧸.  Every time that I see one I know that you are with me. I miss you so much. Fly high with those angels 😇.  RIP Slim

Art had some hobbies very dear to his heart.

First, he loved photography.   He specialized in green screen photography for very cool backgrounds.   I remember the Holiday photoshoots he often did at Walgreens where he worked.   In Tampa, he did an Easter and a Christmas photoshoot and in Lakeland he did a Halloween photoshoot in 2019.  Every costumed child also got a little goodie bag.  I helped him with these photoshoots and they were a lot of fun.  He also did photo portraits for friends and co-workers.  He started doing a side business with this love of photography (Edick Studio) and he did do the photography for a girl's Quinceanera party once.  

Second, Art loved cooking and baking.  He had all the tools and tips for cake decorating.  I'll always remember some of his meals he made by online recipes, especially in the the Instapot (one of his Christmas gifts from me in 2018).   Art always made me happy when he made one of my favorite foods for me; potato pancakes!   Even though it wasn't one of Art's favorites he made them because of his love for me.  Art didn't always tell me he loved me but he showed me that he loved me in so many other ways and by his actions.

When Art was in his bed in the hospital in May 2021 and the nursing home bed in June, he said "I love you" to me almost every day.  And I told him "I love you too" and I gave him a kiss.  Art wanted so much to get better and come home...and so did I.  Instead, our Lord called him home.


Art and I are only two years apart and grew up pretty close.  Our older sisters were watching scary movies which lead Art and I to tell each other scary stories that we made up.  One day we sat at the top of our staircase telling each other scary stories while under a blanket to make it darker.  Well one of our older sisters (I can’t remember which one - it could have been all of them!) came along and told us it would be better if we sat in the middle of the blanket and tie the ends over the top of our heads.  Well, we let them do just that.  The next thing we are being pushed down the flight of stairs all tied up together.  And just as we thought the ride was over Art sat upright and his bottom was half on the landing and half off.  That’s right!  We continued down the rest of the stairs falling right into the middle of the living room.  We laughed so hard!  Then got in trouble for using our blanket off of my bed.  These were good times!!  I love Art’s laugh! 

Art’s kindness was something I really loved and touched me about him.   Whenever a friend, family member, neighbor or co-worker was in need, Art never hesitated to help if he could….whether it be with emotional support, with food, with a certain needed item we had, or with money (if we had extra).   It made Art feel good to help and it always warmed my heart too.  He never expected anything in return but he loved getting a hug from the recipient.

The last act of kindness that stands out in my mind was when we went to Cracker Barrel for Easter dinner this year.  We had a very nice waitress.  After our meal, we went to the gift shop and bought a few things for ourselves and for friends.  One of Art’s  purchases was a package of saltwater taffy.  Our waitress happened to come over as we were checking out and made a comment about wanting to try the taffy herself someday.  Then she went back into the restaurant.  Before we left, Art asked for a little bag and he put some of the taffy in it.  He told the cashier to make sure our waitress got this as our little gift to her.  I thought that was such a nice gesture.


Art was always there to keep me grounded. 

I remember Artie being in a Jonny Jumpup. Well he was my slingshot. My mom would get so mad and beat our butts.  You were the only boy and we terrorized you. I did it out of love.  

Some of my best memories of Art is when we went cigar smoking and Ybor City.  He was truly a great friend we always had a lot of fun together we usually talked on the phone probably four or five times a day and I miss him very much you'll always be in my heart and always buy me I know I love you Art with all my heart.

I had a hard time just picking one memory.  But the fondest one that I will forever hold on to is this one.  Art (5) and I (7) were playing with my Barbies.  Of course, he was Barbie and I had to play with his GI Joe 😂.   And he looked up at me and said, “Joanie you are my best friend!”  Although we let life grow us apart.  Art you will always be my first best friend!  Love you buddy ❤️ 

July 1st is the birthday of my son Brian.  I’m thinking of him as well as Art.  I want to share other memories of my wonderful partner Art.

Art and I couldn’t afford to travel much but I have fond memories of two road trips we took.

First, in April 2012, we drove from Tampa to my hometown of Milwaukee, Wisconsin for the wedding of my nephew Ryan.  We even took our two dogs with us.  There Art met my five sisters and my brother as well as most of my nieces and nephews.  We also got to see my kids again.  I also enjoyed showing Art various sights and the homes I lived in when I lived there.  We also visited the graves of my parents.  We also enjoyed some of the good food that Milwaukee is famous for.  Art especially loved the pizza we had at Ned’s Pizza and the frozen custard at Kopp’s.  Custard stand.  My family also had a birthday dinner for me at Kegel’s Inn in West Allis; a German restaurant.  On the way back home, we made a detour to St. Louis, Missouri to visit one of our friends.  We went to the Gateway Arch but because Art has a fear of heights, we didn’t go up inside of it.  It was a wonderful trip.

Second, in March 2015, we took a road trip to  Knoxville, Tennessee and fell in love with the area.  We especially liked the town of Maryville and put it at the top of our list for possible future relocation there.  Unfortunately, we had limited time and resources so we didn’t do too much during our visit but we did go into the beautiful Smoky Mountain National Park.  But some of the mountainous roads were difficult for Art to stomach because of that fear of heights.  I had to laugh about that.

I expected many more years of adventures with Art but now that won’t happen.  Despite some health issues due to Art’s weight, I never expected him to pass away at age 48!  

I love you so much Art!  I miss you and it’s going to be so hard to go on with my life without you.  You were my better half and you made me complete and happy!

I have so many memories of art just overflowing my mind right now. We were always close since I was little even when we lose contact for awhile everytime we reconnected it was like I got my bestfriend back. He lived next to us we had Alot of slumber partys where we would stay up all night and watch horror movies and play games on his computer. I remember riding around with him in his old van that didn't have a radio that was ok cause we were the radio and every time we seen Christmas lights we screamed pretty lights on top of our lungs. I also remember being catfished by him. He was more than an uncle to me he was one of my best friends. 

Not a day goes by that I dont think about you. I love you and you will forever be missed by all of us.

when I was younger I over slept and missed school. While my grandmother was out hanging up laundry I tried to sneak out of the house Art caught me  instead of turning me over to my grandmother for one of her famous punishments he told me to go to the car and hide. That day we went to his work (burger king) he made me a great sandwich then took me to an shop where they sold  the stuff to make your own incense he bought me my own stuff to because he knew how much I loved it. The entire way to and from Englewood from Northport we were listening to the radio making fun of the songs that came on the radio it was one of our favorite things to do together and still was until his death.   But when we got home he told my grandmother I was sent home from school sick and he picked me up. We went straight to his room and started on my gardenia incense that I wanted to make. To this day it is one of my Fondest Memories of him. It not only showed his loving and caring side it showed his fun and goofing around side as well it showed all this greatest attributes he made my childhood and my life so much better he had no idea how much of an impact he made on my life there is so much of him in me I don't think he realized that.   I'll miss him so much. I'm glad I was there at the end with him like he was there with me when I needed him all those times as a kid

I remember all the cheesesie horror movies we watched.  All the computer games we played.  Uncle art I love you and you will be missed.
   R.I .P UNCLE SLIM

I was blessed to be Art’s partner/husband since 2011 and there are so many wonderful memories of him.

In June 2011, Art met my children, Kevin, Brian and Sarah for the first time when they visited for Father’s Day.  My kids liked and accepted Art right away.  We had a fun day at Grand Prix Tampa playing miniature golf and riding the go-carts.  

In September 2011 we went to the Humane Society in Tampa to get a companion dog for our dog Jinks.   When Art saw Jinjer, a dachshund/chihuahua mix, he knew she was the one and we adopted her.

Then, of course, there are beautiful memories of our Commitment ceremony on December 31, 2011.  It was held at Golden Corral in Temple Terrace and many friends attended.  Even my sister from Milwaukee, Wisconsin came!  Art and I had fun creating a wedding book with the photos that were taken.

From December 2016 to April 2019 my son Brian and my grandson Anthony (b. Dec. 2015) lived with Art and I in Lakeland.   It was Art who took care of Anthony most of the time when Brian and I were at work during the week.  Art, as well as myself, grew very close to adorable Anthony in this timeframe.  I remember how much fun they had doing things together like baking cookies and Art doing so many thoughtful and educational things with him.

Art and I bought a manufactured house in Blue Jay MH Park in Dade City in January 2021 and we found renewed love and happiness there together before he developed multiple sclerosis in May.   In March we found a special friendship with Danny and Jason McAfee which enriched our lives.

I depended on this special, caring man in so many ways.  He was my strength.  I needed him in my life.  I loved him so much.  He made me very happy and I know I made him happy too.   Now there’s a big emptiness in my heart.  

I’m going to miss you so much Art!  You will ALWAYS be with me!

(Note: I misspelled my last name by accident; it is GADZALINSKI)



I just had got out of the hospital after having my youngest son Cliffie. Art was in the high school play Oklahoma,  he played Curly. After his performance he got a standing ovation.  Artie I was so proud of you then and now. You could do anything that you wanted to do. You had a voice that was amazing. I love you so much 💗

Our heartfelt sympathy to the family of Art Edick and his loving partner Ronald Gadzalenski on Art's untimely passing. Art was certainly a gentle and loving man and a fantastic cook. He was certainly a good friend. Art will be missed by all. Rest well Art rest well.

Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone during this most difficult time.  God bless you all.

OBITUARY

Arthur E. Edick Jr.

11 June, 1973 – 25 June, 2021

Turner Funeral Home and Florida Hills Memorial Gardens

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Reminders

Services