VOYIK, GREGORY S., 60, of Salem, South Carolina died peacefully December 25 2008, at home, surrounded by his family, after a brave battle with cancer and a 30-year crusade against Crohn’s and Colitis disease. As a lifelong and devout Lutheran involved with many churches around the world; he was baptized and raised in St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in Mansfield, OH and an active member of Salem Lutheran Church in Orlando, FL for many years. Greg always led by example with his contagious enthusiasm, relentless optimism, unyielding integrity and eternal dignity that was a motivation to everyone who knew him. He was a devoted husband, son, father, brother, uncle and friend to many. He is survived by his beloved wife, Lucy Voyik; mother, Jean Ann Voyik; daughter and son-in-law, Elizabeth and Chris Wilson of Orlando, FL; son and future daughter-in-law, Bradley K. Voyik and Sandi Washburn of Orlando, FL; sister and brother-in-law, Melinda and Jim Dutka; sister and brother-in-law, Polly and Field Searcy; brother and sister-in-law Tyler and Lynn Voyik; brother-in-law Larry Boals; and many cousins, nieces and nephews who loved him dearly. He was preceded in death by his father, James Robert Voyik; sister, Alison Boals; and nephew Chad Dutka; all who lived in Mansfield, OH. Greg was born March 12, 1948 in Mansfield and graduated from Madison High School in 1966; the United States Coast Guard Academy with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1970; and the University of Michigan with a Masters in Natural Resource Administration in 1976. As an officer in the United States Coast Guard, Greg served as a Lieutenant Commander on assignments in the US Virgin Islands; Miami, Florida; Washington, D.C. and Baltimore Maryland. In 1985 he moved to Orlando with his family where his twenty year career with Tupperware Home Parties Corporation in several senior executive positions took him to Dallas, Texas, China and the Philippines. In 2004, he managed The Body Shop – at Home division in the United Kingdom and Charlotte, NC. He had recently moved to Salem, South Carolina where he was surrounded by the water and nature he loved. Donations may be made to The Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America or Oconee Hospice of the Foothills. Funeral services are being handled by Wappner Funeral Directors, 100 S. Lexington-Springmill Rd., Mansfield, Ohio 44906, toll free 888-933-9334. Funeral service information will be available on the website at www.wappner.com beginning Monday, December 29, 2008.
Published in the Orlando Sentinel on December 31, 2008