Edward Bezjak

Edward J. Bezjak
9/26/1936 - 6/12/2022

It is with mixed emotions that we announce the passing of Edward John Bezjak, known as Ed to some, Beez to others, but friend to all.  His life included many decades of joy, unadulterated fun, and finding the positive in nearly every situation.  Ed enjoyed many years as an outstanding fastpitch softball player, making lifelong friends and accruing accolades.  He even earned admission to the Colorado ASA Hall of Fame, an accomplishment that came as no surprise to his teammates or opponents.  When Ed gave up softball he had more time to focus on golf, which he played often and well.  He enjoyed the challenge of each hole, but none more than the 19th, where he would shoot the bull with the best of them.  Ed never stopped making friends.
Despite working hard as a salesman and spending lots of time in athletics, there was always time for family.  Sometimes it was during softball trips all over Colorado and beyond, where the whole crew, wife Margie and daughters Laurie and Julie, would tag along.  The softball teams were really just extended family, with the kids and spouses all hanging together during games, and enjoying celebrations after them.  Sometimes family time was in the mountains, visiting Ed's mom or sister.  But always family time was at home, where Ed built strong relationships with Margie and his girls.  He was a very caring man.
Another facet of Ed's life was participation in the philanthropic organization Sertoma.  He served many roles with that group, from menial to leadership, enjoying all of them...most of the time.  Some of Ed's friends from softball were also involved with Sertoma, making it a natural extension of his "team", and the team grew with new Sertoma friendships.  Ed was an active member who, like all of the members, simply wanted to help others.
The final decade of his time here was challenging, but he remained a devoted husband to Margie, his ailing wife and love of his life, until her passing in 2015.  Shortly thereafter, a tumble down an escalator was the blow that ultimately took away his physical independence, leaving him unable to play golf and enjoy what had been one of the highlights of his life- athletic competition.  Still, Ed was able to bring a smile to everyone's face with a joke or a funny observation, entertaining not only family and friends, but doctors, nurses, waiters, custodians, neighbors, neighbors families, and every stranger he met.  The man was clever and quick, and enjoyed laughing with others and at himself.
By the end, the body that had served him well and long was finished, and he died the night of June 12th, 2022, surrounded by his two granddaughters and a staff at Hillcrest of Loveland that had grown to care about him.  He was ready to die, looking forward to seeing Margie, and satisfied with the life he had led.  We are saddened by our loss, but happy that Ed is now free from his tired body.
We believe the choices that were most important to Ed, those that he used to make the most of life, include the following.  We could all benefit by embracing them.

Finding the pleasure in life.
Being quick to forgive.
Telling the joke, even if you have told it before.
Making everyone a friend.

Please join us:

Memorial Service Monday, June 27, 2022, 11:30 AM, Horan & McConaty Family Chapel, 3101 S. Wadsworth Blvd., Lakewood, CO 80227.

A reception will follow at The South Restaurant, 3535 S. Huron St, Englewood, CO 80110, at 1:30.  First beer on Ed.

In lieu of flowers please make donations to: Alzheimer's Association, 455 Sherman St., #500, Denver, CO 80203 www.alz.org/co or Arapahoe Sertoma Foundation, P.O. Box 38, Englewood, CO 80151.