David Allan Guba

David A. Guba, long-time Traverse City resident died unexpectedly from complications of a blood clot on December 28th, he was 59 years old. He was born on April 29, 1958 in Mount Clemens, Michigan to parents John A. Guba (deceased) and Susan Mary Guba (Norris, age 90). The family next resided in Bloomfield, Michigan before moving to Traverse City in 1972, where they had a beautiful home on West Bay and enjoyed water sports including water skiing, power boating and sailing. During this time the family had a stone cottage on Barrow Bay, Georgian Bay, Canada. Here they had idyllic summers playing in the woods and on the water with life-long Canadian friends and no television. David skiied at Timberlee "back in the day", he was an awesome skiier and ice skater, playing and reffing hockey. David graduated from Traverse City Central High in 1976, again life-long friends to this day including but not limited to Ted Lockwood, Rich Core, Paul Schneider, and Roger Wares. He graduated from Ferris State University in 1981 with a bachelor's degree with an insurance major. He worked in insurance in Atlanta, Georgia , Tampa Bay, Florida and Traverse City (John A. Guba & Associates). He sold advertising for The Preview, The Business News and Best Read Guides Magazine. Then came Synthes, his dream job, in 2000. Having no medical training, he grasped the orthopedic device industry like no other. Dr. Scott Groseclose fondly called him "The Professor". He was loved and respected by the O.R. staff at Munson and his many colleagues throughout the years. He leaves behind his wife, Cindy Guba, whom he helped off Mike Dow's trailered J24 in 1993 and never let go, four devastated children Sam Moser (to whom he was a loving step father), Grace Guba (mother Sandra Dunn), Janette and Leo Guba, their children together. Dave read children's stories like no one else, he was great at playing rough, legos and hot wheels. They loved swimming together, especially at the GTYC and while camping at DH Day in Glen Arbor with the Jack Chrestensen family. His children are his legacy and the biggest part of his dash (1958-2017). There are no words to describe his big heart where they are concerned. He leaves behind his mother Susan Guba (Traverse City), sister Gail Lawson (Traverse City), and brother Johnny Guba (Traverse City). He is preceeded in death by his father John A. Guba and sister Lynn Guba. Extended family includes Carol Famiani, James Famiani, Ray Famiani and Jim Lawson; his sailing buddies Mike Dow, Gregg Diehl and Bob Clark, shout out to Flying Toaster Melges 24 and their many, many accolades and all the other boats that he sailed on with Betsy and Bill VanWesten, Ted Lockwood, Doug Wipperman, Shaun and Paul Schneider, and others. Last summer, he crewed on Kashmir out of Chicago in a Chicago to Mac race that will go down in history from the rough seas that caused many boats retire. They were 3rd in their fleet. He loved animals, Labador Retrievers the most; he is preceeded in death by Bud, Max, Buoy and Colby, he leaves behind Tula and Kevin. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to an animal charity. There will be a celebration of David's life at the Grand Traverse Yacht Club on Saturday, January 13, 2018 from 1-5pm. Please share your thoughts and memories with Dave’s family by way on his online guestbook by visiting www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com. The family is being cared for by the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home and Cremation Services.

David Allan Guba

April 29, 1958 - December 28, 2017