Brian Timothy Czahor, 26, Convention Services Manager for the Radisson Plaza-Warwick Hotel Philadelphia, died suddenly and unexpectedly at his Philadelphia, Pa., home Dec. 9, 2003. No cause of death was given.
Czahor was born in Columbia, Mo., on June 9, 1977. In 1987, he moved with his family to Clifton. His activities as a youth include Boy Scouts and playing soccer. Czahor graduated from Centreville High School in 1995. He was also awarded a certificate in 1995 from the Chantilly Academy for completion of its Hotel and Restaurant Management Program. Czahor graduated from Johnson and Wales University in Providence, RI, where he received an A.S. degree in Culinary Arts in May 1997; an A.S. degree in Food and Beverage Management in May 1999; and a B.S. degree in Hotel Management in August 2000.
While attending Johnson and Wales University he affiliated with Tau Kappa Epsilon (TKE) Fraternity and, according to brothers, past and present, was considered "the heart of the fraternity" for his continuing efforts in developing fraternal, social, and beneficial activities with his brothers. Czahor continued to maintain close relationships with his fraternity brothers.
DURING SUMMER breaks as well as while attending college, Czahor honed his culinary skills serving as banquet chef at the Montauk Yacht Club in Montauk, NY; and line cook at Chad's Bar and Grill in Providence, RI. He also developed his people skills as a consumer loan processor with BankBoston in Providence, RI; and a client care coordinator with Karen Gales Real Estate Inc., at Re/Max Premier in Fairfax.
Upon graduation from Johnson and Wales University, he was selected by the Hyatt Corporation for entry into its competitive corporate management training program in catering at the Grand Hyatt New York in New York City. After his successful completion of the program in April 2001, Czahor was appointed Catering Sales Manager, Grand Hyatt New York. He resided in Forest Hills, NY.
With the opening of a new Hyatt Hotel, in July 2001, he relocated to Philadelphia, and was appointed meeting connection sales manager at the Hyatt Regency Philadelphia at Penn's Landing. His efforts resulted in his becoming the top producer of the sales team in 2001.
Czahor next affiliated with the Radisson Plaza-Warwick Hotel Philadelphia, just off Rittenhouse Square, in July 2002, where he was appointed convention services manager. During his time there, he received many accolades from staff and clients, alike. In his job capacity, Czahor, worked with personnel throughout the entire hotel. Everyone he worked with was touched by his warm smile and kind words.
Due to Czahor's success in his professional, social and personal relationships, his sudden and unexpected loss was devastating to those who knew and loved him. He was characterized by the director of catering as "a person gifted with kindness and compassion," and remembered for "his charm and ability to turn a stuffy, quiet, client event ... into one of the best parties you would ever attend." The sales manager commented that Czahor genuinely reflected the "yes I can" philosophy of their hotel, and always put their guests first.
He never forgot his first love, culinary, and was frequently found by the executive chef tinkering in the kitchen with a variety of new concoctions, which, unfortunately, while delicious, were not sufficiently cost effective to place on the menu.
IN 2002, upon his selection after a nationwide search, Mr. Czahor was chosen to participate on the nationally telecast show "Blind Date" where he squired his date around Philadelphia.
Czahor had a true appreciation for the finest things life had to offer, and delighted in finding special ways to treat his family and his many friends. Czahor had a very close and loving relationship with his entire family, and frequently accompanied his sister Laurie to dinner and shows. He routinely visited with his family at home in Northern Virginia, and at their beach home in Ocean City, Md. Christmas dinner became a beloved family tradition where he prepared two delicious crown racks of lamb, cream of asparagus soup, and directed the entire family in the dinner preparation.
Following his passing, the Radisson Plaza-Warwick Hotel Philadelphia pulled out all the stops, and in true Brian Czahor fashion, catered first-class receptions and dinners in his memory for all who wished to attend.
Viewings were held in Philadelphia, and Fairfax, with funeral services at the Clifton Presbyterian Church in Clifton. He was interred in the Clifton Cemetery in Clifton. Friends, fraternity brothers, roommates, work colleagues, and family from around the nation attended the viewings, funeral, and interment.
Survivors include his mother and stepfather, Karen and Robert Gales, of Clifton; his father and stepmother, Timothy and Sharman Czahor, of Calhoun, Ga.; his brothers, Thomas Czahor of Portland, Ore., and Robert Gales II, of Clifton; his sister and brother-in-law Laurie and Eric Matkowski, of Philadelphia; stepsisters Victoria Hillis of Simpsonville, SC, and Shannan Summers, of Calhoun, Ga.; and grandparents Lorna and J.W. Patt of Sharrodsville, OH, and Galveston, TX; Vern and Georgia Terry, of Mount Pleasant, OH; and Julia Czahor, of South Plainfield, NJ.