He made much more of a splash, both figuratively and literally, in death than he did in life. Until I saw his obituary in the Sunday paper, I did not make the connection between the person who died on his ice boat on Lake Monona and the long-time vendor of braided strings of garlic at the Madison Farmers' Market.
William "Tad" Gedko was both the guy at the Farmers' Market, whose name I never knew, but from whom I yearly bought a long string of garlic heads to hang in the kitchen; and the avid sailor and ice boater who apparently died of a heart attack before his ice boat went through thin ice leaving his body far from shore on the only partially frozen Lake Monona. A much-publicized rescue attempt ensued, causing Tad to finally get his fifteen minutes of fame, a bit too late for him to enjoy it.
Thanks for all the great garlic Tad, sorry I won't be seeing you on the west side of the square, selling it, any more.
2 comments:
Thank you for remembering my beloved and wonderful brother. He loved cars, boats, gardening and life. Memorial will be held Sun May 2 2010 at the East Side Club.
All friends welcome
Anne, I'm very sorry for your loss. He was one of those many, many great yet humble people that make Madison and Dane County the place we love to call home. He left us much too soon. Thank you for sharing the information about his Memorial!
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