The former general manager of the Radisson Aruba Resort Casino & Spa passes away. The following is a letter received this morning from his wife Patricia, and kids Deborah, and Jason Jutz.
“Early this morning the world lost a very special man when Gary succumbed to the complications of colon cancer. He died at our home by the lake in Virginia, surrounded by his family. He was our rock to the very end and we will miss him desperately.
I don’t think Gary ever truly understood how many lives he had touched along his journey; what a difference he had made to so many people. He always gave his staff respect and honesty; and often stepped out of the spotlight in order to shower the glory on someone else. To us, he was Dad, G.W., or Big Guy; but to countless people around the world he was simply Mr. J.
Gary died as he lived; with dignity and good humor despite all the tubes running through his body. As the cancer grew to consume him, he never complained and celebrated every moment of life. He was thrilled to receive so many phone calls during the last few days of his life and each one brought an enormous smile to his face.
As Gary requested, there will be no funeral. Instead, he wanted us to celebrate his life with a gathering of friends and family lakeside in the warmer days of Spring. We have not decided on a date at this time.
For any who wish to remember Gary in some way, he requested donations be made in his name to the V Foundation for Cancer Research. The V Foundation was founded by ESPN and Coach Jim Valvano during his battle with cancer. Gary had great admiration for how “Jimmy V” handled the end of his life and his fervor to find a way to stomp out cancer. The V Foundation proudly boasts that 100 percent of all new direct cash donations go directly to research and related programs. Â Click on this link to learn more about the V Foundation:Â http://www.jimmyv.org/support-us/ways-to-give.html
Thank you all for your prayers and your support. In a few days, we would love to take your phone calls.
Just remember to live each day to the fullest–it is a present–and we never know when it may be our last gift.
Patricia, Deborah, and Jason Jutzâ€
Pictured here Gary & Deborah on the eve of her Aruba wedding, at Papiamento restaurant.