Andrew Szlaga

Daddyo Andrew Szlaga was carried off in the arms of the God he loved so much on July 19th, 2009. Andy was born in Chicago, Illinois on November 30, 1928. He joined the US Navy in 1947 and served for twenty-six years. He was a multi-talented musician and served his country as a good-will ambassador in the music branch of the Navy. He entered as a Seaman and attained the rank of Lieutenant. His tours of duty took him and his family to Virginia, Illinois, Maryland, Washington, DC, France and Pensacola. He served on many vessels including the USS Forrestal where he was the ship's first bandleader. He was also an instructor and training officer at the Navy School of Music in Norfolk, Virginia. He served two years as an associate conductor at the US Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland. Not only was he a bandleader but he excelled at playing the trumpet, trombone, saxophone, clarinet and piano. Andy was very proud to have filled the steps of the great March King, John Philip Sousa as the bandleader at the Naval Training Center, Great Lakes, Illinois. Upon retirement in Pensacola in 1973 he went on to hold positions at Citizen's and People's Bank and Catholic High School. Andy was a very devout man and volunteered for twenty years as the Music Director at the Nativity Catholic Church. Through the years he also taught piano and brass instruments to many children. He opened the world of music to these children by giving them private lessons. In 1974 he formed his own dance/big band-"Andy Szlaga and the Classics" and spent many evenings entertaining at local events. He was a member of the Elks and the Knights of Columbus. Andy was a humble, selfless, fun-loving man who always put everyone else first. This was so evident in the love that he had for his surviving "bride" of fifty-eight years, Gloria Ruggerio Szlaga, his daughter Cyndey Szlaga Joyner, granddaughters Miranda Joyner and Caitlin Joyner and his great-granddaughter Ainsley Grace Joyner. He is also survived by his three sisters, Eleanor Martin, Maryann Franczyk, Cathy (Carl) Bahr and numerous nieces and nephews. Preceding him in death were his parents Martin and Catherine Szlaga, brother Martin Szlaga and, most recently his beloved son-in-law Randy Joyner. Services for Andy will be held Wednesday, July 22nd, at 11:00 AM at St Ann's Catholic Church, Gulf Breeze with Monsignor Michael Mooney officiating. The family would like to thank Covenant Hospice for their care and Dr William Howe for his sincere concern, care and kindness to our family. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Loaves and Fishes. "My life has been a poor attempt to imitate the man I'm just a living legacy to the leader of the band"

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