Edward Tibor Gulyas

Edward Tibor Gulyas passed away peacefully on June 10, 2024, at his home on Kiawah Island, SC.

Ed was known for his engaging personality, winning spirit and can-do attitude. Handsome and charming, Ed drew people to him with his charisma and contagious laugh. 

Born on October 21, 1950 in Oklahoma City, the son of newly arrived refugees from Hungary and Czechoslovakia, Ed grew to become the "All American Boy". As the oldest of five children, he excelled in school, sports, riding horses and pretty much anything he tried. Taught at an early age by his grandfather, a European furniture maker, how to use tools and build things out of wood, a passion was born.

Ed spent his formative years, through high school, in San Carlos, CA. He excelled in Little League baseball and Pop Warner Football. As a student at Carlmont High School, Ed was involved in student government, serving as Student Body President. He also lettered in baseball and football, setting school records and obtaining recognition as the Bay Area Athlete of the Week, several times each season.

Despite his high school prowess, Ed was never recruited to play football in college. After graduating in 1968, Ed headed to Notre Dame. He was determined to pursue his dream of playing college football and tried out as a "walk on" for the Fighting Irish squad. His talent was recognized and he was offered a scholarship as a running back. Ed started as #12 for the Fighting Irish for three years before a broken fibula cut his final season short. Ed graduated from Notre Dame in 1972, with a BA in Government, leaving behind numerous rushing records that lasted for decades and taking with him friendships that lasted a lifetime.

Ed headed from South Bend to Washington, DC where he worked as a legislative assistant for California Congressman Pete McCloskey. In DC, he was a member of the Washington Rugby Football Club, along with his younger brother George, playing in Wales and England in 1977. On the side, Ed put his carpentry skills to work renovating townhouses around the Capitol, eventually turning his craft into a full-time career.

In 1979, Ed met the love of his life, Diane Galdikas, a 1978 engineering graduate from Notre Dame. They were married at Notre Dame in 1982. Together they lived a life of travel and adventure, following Diane's career with DuPont spending 5 wonderful years in Richmond VA and 5 years in Europe. While living in Switzerland and Belgium, Ed and Diane discovered Bernese Mountain Dogs, which became their breed of choice for over thirty years, raising six memorable furry family members. 

Ed put his carpentry skills to work, building custom cabinets and kitchens. In 1992, he designed and built the home that he and Diane lived in for many years, in Kennett Square, PA. Over the years, Ed pursued his love of fishing, on trips to Alaska, at his "fish camp" in Sept Isles, Canada and in his backyard on Kiawah. 

After discovering Kiawah in 2002, Ed and Diane began to spend several months a year there. From an initial vacation spot, it quickly grew to become their home. Ed loved to entertain family and friends and was famous for his shrimp and grits. Chicago also held a special place in his heart with many friends, family, and his beloved Cubs.

In his later years, Ed struggled with a debilitating, progressive neurodegenerative brain disorder, PSP. He fought valiantly and never lost his sunny disposition despite his challenges. He continued to enjoy life, the company of friends and an occasional beer.

Left behind to cherish his memory are his widow, Diane Gulyas, sisters Susie Laney (Tom), Valeria Chadick (Mike), Katharine Lindemann (Marty) and sisters-in-law, Paula Schuler (Carson), Lisa Kotas (Tim), Maria Bruni and Lydia Gulyas.

In addition, Ed is survived by nephews, Robert Laney (Amanda), Sam and Henry Lindemann, Joseph and Leo Bruni, Carson Schuler and Barrett Gulyas, and nieces, Mitzi Laney, Natalie Mack (Aaron), Nikki Godley (Dan), Katrina Tines, Emily Beideman (Mac), Jenna Schuler and Lydia Bruni, and several grand nieces and nephews.

Ed was pre-deceased by his parents, Imre and Maria Gulyas, his brother, George Gulyas, his brother-in-law Mike Lishack and sister-in-law, Kitty Gulyas.

There will be a Mass in celebration of Ed's life on July 19, 2024 at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, Johns Island at 11:00 am, followed by a reception at the Kiawah Island Club. Ed's final resting place will be at Notre Dame in South Bend, IN. Mass will be at the Notre Dame Basilica at 2:30 pm on August 16, 2024. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to:
Cure PSP (https://www.psp.org)
Charleston Animal Society (https://charlestonanimalsociety.org)
Kiawah Conservancy (https://kiawahconservancy.org)
Kiawah Conservancy (https://kiawahconservancy.org)

Expressions of sympathy may be viewed or submitted online at mcalister-smith.com/. 

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to McAlister-Smith Funeral and Cremation, 2501 Bees Ferry Road, Charleston, SC 29414, (843) 722-8371.