March 5, 1948 - March 17, 2026
David Joseph Szymusiak
March 5th, 1948 – March 17th, 2026
Always one to strike up a conversation, Dave “Smooze” Szymusiak was truly gifted when it came to the art of communication. Whether marketing, promoting visual and musical artists or fellow filmmakers, coaching AAU basketball or youth lacrosse, sharing his fishing expertise, or encouraging a love of rock hounding, he found the greatest joy in sharing his knowledge with others. He especially loved making his grandchildren, children, and wife laugh with his silly jokes, goofy faces, and unique anecdotes.
Dave was born on March 5th, 1948 in Lorain, Ohio. He graduated from Admiral King High School in 1966 and went on to study chemical engineering at Ohio University. During his college years, he played lacrosse, something that filled him with immense pride. After he left college, he spent time in the Florida Keys, cultivating a lifelong appreciation for key lime pie, which was a highlight of many birthdays over the years. In 1971, he returned to Ohio and married his highschool sweetheart, Karen (Jaworski) Szymusiak. He continued playing club lacrosse after college, participating in an All-Star game at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. In 2012, he and his son, Zac, as well as 110 other people, played in a lacrosse game with the largest number of participants, according to the World Record Academy.
A man of many jobs, interests and hobbies alike, he began his career in recruiting, transitioned into marketing, and eventually went into business for himself in the mid-1990s, turning his interests and hobbies into a variety of pursuits.
He was an avid collector of sports cards, autographs, and memorabilia, which, combined with his marketing skills, became Artists for Athletes. He produced a number of licensed art prints and lithographs for the Ohio State University football and basketball teams, players, and coaches. He also produced a few prints for his beloved, yet frustrating, Cleveland Browns. A lifelong fan, he spent many Sundays watching them play, loudly swearing them off when they lost, but always coming back the next week or the next year with high hopes.
A man who always proudly supported his children's interests, Dave helped manage his son Zac's early career in music. Dave's work with Zac's band, the Everyday Heroes, led him to found Gold Record Music, a promotion company that helped many musicians both locally and internationally. He also was very proud of his daughter, Amanda, and her choice to become a nurse, respecting er medical expertise more than anyone else.
Dave spent many nights up late, watching movies. His intense love of all things film, led him to producing, writing scripts, tutoring young actors, and even appeared as an extra in the film, Loaded Dice. When he wasn't busy trying to figure out the end of the movie before it finished, he was working on his own ideas for scripts and films.
An avid rock collector, Dave turned his hobby into a profitable pursuit, becoming the Rock Hunter. He learned to cut, grind and shape rocks at the Parma Lapidary Club. Alongside his wife, Karen, he participated in holiday craft shows, selling the necklaces and earrings he made from the beautiful stones he polished. Although a business pursuit, it was inspired by a love of rockhounding, which he enjoyed sharing with his grandchildren.
A lifelong fisherman, many an outing or vacation centered on the chance of casting his line a few more times. He developed a talent for making his own rods and creating his own lures. His willingness to keep casting was indicative of his enduring hope--always believing that the next cast would end with reeling "in the big one."
Later in his life, Dave's joy for gardening blossomed. He planted a variety of beans, peppers, tomatoes, carrots, artichokes, and other vegetables. He would often devise plans to expand with another new garden bed for the coming year.
He also loved puzzles and enjoyed completing them with his wife at the kitchen table. They once finished 54 puzzles in a year!
Dave believed the most important thing in life was his family. He tried to pass on his love, knowledge, and dedication to his children and grandchildren. He always wanted to be a better husband, father, and person, than those that came before him. Despite a prolonged battle with lymphoma, his journey came to an end after a fall resulting in a traumatic brain injury, as well as a brief battle with MDS. On March 17th, 2026, at the age of 78, he passed away surrounded by family and the music he enjoyed.
David Joseph Szymusiak is survived by his wife of 54 years Karen (Jaworski) Szymusiak, his son Zachary Szymusiak, his daughter Amanda (Szymusiak) Blankenship, his son-in-law James Blankenship and his grandchildren, Zeke, Lucy and Vinny.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to his memorial fund, which will be used to plant a tree in his honor, as well as cover funeral expenses. Contributions to his memory can be made at: https://everloved.com/life-of/david-szymusiak/