<bt>Former Fairfax Volunteer Fire Department chief Gregory Ruzicka died on Tuesday, Aug. 10, at Clear Lake Regional Hospital in Texas. He was 48.
Throughout his life, Ruzicka loved serving the community. Ruzicka started volunteering for the Fire Department at age 18, rising through the ranks to eventually become fire chief. He was a soccer and baseball coach, kept scores at ball games and manned the concession stand.
Ruzicka moved to Texas from Bel Air, Md., two years ago to work at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston. His career in the medical field began at Inova Fairfax in Fairfax. He graduated from Bishop O'Connell High School in Arlington and attended Northern Virginia Community College, George Mason University and Marymount University.
Ruzicka is survived by his wife of 21 years, Carol; their three children: Sara Elizabeth, Joseph Stephan and Michael Gregory; his parents, Joseph and Joan Ruzicka; and his sisters, Kris Dudrow and Linda Heizer.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, P.O. Box 4486, Houston, TX 77210-4486.