THE DAYTONA BEACH NEWS-JOURNAL
Daytona Beach, Florida
Saturday, February 2, 2008

Ted Cyzycki, 90, longtime owner of Gray's Garden Center

ORMOND BEACH - Gardening questions were right up Ted Cyzycki's alley, and he was always happy to offer a solution. 

The longtime owner of Gray's Garden Center in Ormond Beach died Friday at home. He was 90. 
"He was a very social person and enjoyed helping others out," said his son, Mike, current owner of the garden center. "Usually he could figure the problem out right away. If he couldn't, the specimen would be sent off to Gainesville for a diagnosis." 

The elder Cyzycki was born in Korona in Flagler County and raised on a farm. Plants and gardening are what interested him even when he was a youngster. 

He studied plants and forestry at the University of Florida and was a registered Florida forester and lecturer. He served as a radarman in the Army Air Corps during World War II and settled in Ormond Beach after that. 

While in Ormond Beach, he worked as a florist and caretaker before opening the garden center with his former partner, Richard Gray. 

Cyzycki bought out Gray's interest in the garden center and became a partner with his son. 

Selling plants was his business, but most of his time was spent giving advice to those whose thumbs weren't so green. 

"I try to keep up on all the latest information about plants and their troubles," he said in an interview with The Daytona Beach News-Journal in the mid-1970s. "It's the only way to keep my customers happy and coming back." 
To keep up with all the latest cure-alls, he would spend his spare time studying scientific publications. Cyzycki was one of the lucky ones; he loved what he did. 

"I'd be working with plants and talking to people about gardening whether or not I was paid for it. I guess I'm a fortunate man," Cyzycki said. 

He had been a member of Ormond Beach Union Church for more than 50 years. 

Additional survivors include a sister, Catherine Panella, Illinois, and a grandson. Services are scheduled for 1 p.m. Monday at Ormond Beach Union Church. Haigh-Black is in charge.

DAYTONA BEACH NEWS-JOURNAL (FL) - Sunday, February 3, 2008

Ted Cyzycki passed away in his sleep on the morning of February 1, 2008 at his home in Ormond Beach.

Born in Korona, Fla., on September 17, 1917, he graduated from Bunnell High School and spent a summer in the Civilian Conservation Corps before attending the University of Florida where he received a bachelor's degree in forestry. Ted spent three years working for the U.S. Forestry Service until World War II began. During the war he was stationed for twenty-eight months in England on an Air Force base as an aircraft radar specialist.

Upon his return to the states he married the love of his life, Delores, and they moved to Ormond Beach. In Ormond, Ted partnered with Dick Gray and started "Grays Garden Center" just across the street from where the business still stands today some 55 years later. Known by his customers as "Dr." Ted, he spent his time healing plants, cracking jokes, and running the business along side his son and daughter-in-law.

A member of Ormond Beach Union Church since 1955, Ted was on the 1973-74 list of "Who's Who in Florida," served as a Volusia County representative to the Florida Farm Bureau, was awarded a certificate of appreciation from the Florida Department of Education, spoke frequently at many area garden clubs, and belonged to a long list of professional organizations including the American Orchid Society. Ted was a wonderful father and grandfather who delighted all he came in contact with his passion for life and his in-depth knowledge of the central Florida landscape.

He is survived by his son, Mike; daughter-in-law, Becky; grandson, Niles; and older sister, Catherine Panella.

A service and reception will be held at Ormond Beach Union Church on Monday, February 4, at 1 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in honor of Ted Cyzycki to the "Plant a Tree Program," National Forests in Florida, 325 John Knox Rd., Suite F-100, Tallahassee, FL 32303.