Blaze J. Gusic

On Tuesday, June 7, 2011, age 83, of Camp Hill, PA. He is survived by his best friend and wife of 48 years, Joan C. Gusic; children, Dr. Maryellen E. Gusic-Joel, M.D. (Kenneth L. Joel) and Dr. Blaze R. Gusic, M.D. (his partner, Jay A. Alpert) and "God's Gifted Grandson", Blaze Lawson Joel. Blaze was the son of Croation immigrants, Blaz and Katherine, and was always proud of his Croation heritage. He served in the Army Air Corp. during WWII. Following the war, he graduated from the University of Pittsburgh and obtained his graduate degrees from Shippensburg and Duquesne Universities. In his studies, Blaze planned to pursue a career in law, but instead discovered a passion for the early golden era of television broadcasting with the DuMont Television Network in 1950. He worked as a producer and director at the legendary KDKA, which provides CBS programming today. During his tenure, Blaze met his wife, Joan, who he would sometimes meet for a movie after working on a late-night newscast, and she remained at his side for decades to follow. Blaze worked in all facets of early TV, from the days of black and white, through the digital information age. In 1961, he accepted a role that would shape public television with the Pennsylvania Department of Education. His role as Coordinator of Educational Television led to the developement of not only one public television station, but of a network comprised of several stations. His work allowed him to pioneer educational broadcasting concepts including distance learning and conducting classroom activities through the concept of blackboard by wire. Blaze's love of learning turned him into a visionary, whose expertise led to several positions on educational boards in both the local and national realm. He was recognized for his leadership and service to many organizations, including American Federation of Teachers and Croations Fraternal Union of America. He was also commissioned as a Colonel by the Commonwealth of Kentucky. In the 1970s, Blaze served on the production team of AIT's Inside Out Series, which was later awarded both an Emmy and Academy award for excellence in educational broadcasting. Outside of his professional accomplishments, Blaze's sense of adventure took him to more than a hundred countries on six continents. He loved people and seemed everywhere he went, everyone knew who he was. Family was always his top priority. Blaze participated in all aspects of the lives of his children and cherished his grandson, never missing one of his activities Memorial donations may be made to Blaze's favorite charity, the American Heart Association. .