Timothy Szazynski

Tampabay.com 8/5/2008

SZAZYNSKI, Timothy "Tiger" 74, of Clearwater, went peacefully to be with the Lord on Aug. 4, 2008, at home with his family by his side. His passions in life were God, his wife and his family & grandchildren, baseball, tennis, traveling the world, gardening, & Broadway shows.

He was born in Pittsburgh, PA July 2, 1934. He went to Washington Vocational High School and graduated at age 16. At age 19, he had baseball contracts with the Brunswick Pirates, & Daytona Beach Baseball Club Minor League Teams. In 1957 Tim formed and managed the Lawrenceville Tigers Baseball Team which was a member of Pittsburgh's Federation League and dominated in the 1960s. In 1969 The Tigers won the National Amateur Title in Buffalo, New York and received the Trophy from Governor David L. Lawrence of PA.

In the 1970s he built his Sports Empire of LakeVue Racquet Club, LakeVue Ice Palace, LakeVue SportsWorld, and LakeVue North Golf Course in Pittsburgh, PA. In 1988, he purchased Royal Racquet Club in Clearwater to continue his dream to play tennis every day with his family and friends.

He is survived by his loving, devoted wife of 49 years, Carol; his 3 daughters, Valerie (Joe) Schaefer, Colleen (Jeff) Singer, Donna (Walt) Coddington; 3 sons, Gregory (Julia), Tim Jr. (Angela) David (Laurel) and 15 awesome grandchildren; also 2 sisters, Alethia (Bernie) Klavon, Carol (Jerry) Reims. His parents, Elizabeth (Gollatz) and Thomas went to heaven before him.

Friends will be received at Sylvan Abbey, 2853 Sunset Point Road, Clearwater on Wednesday, Aug. 6 from 2-4 pm and 6-8 pm. Mass will be heard on Thursday, Aug. 7 at 10 am at Light of Christ Catholic Church, Clearwater.

Timothy's final resting place will be in Pittsburgh, PA. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Hospice of the Florida Suncoast or Light of Christ Church in Timothy's name.