Garden Catering in Old Greenwich was busy again on Tuesday, a welcome sign on any day but especially on June 18, which was Tyler Gwozdszu’s 34th birthday.
“Today we are raising funds and awareness for the Tyler G Foundation, which was founded by a family from Old Greenwich that has been involved with Garden Catering for 30 years,” explains Frank Carpenteri, CEO of Garden Catering.
Gwozdsz died of an opioid overdose at age 29 in 2020, the result of a years-long addiction that began unknowingly during his junior year at Greenwich High School after a sports injury required major surgery and he also used painkillers.
“He was very charismatic. He was the oldest of five children and he took his job very seriously. He was an all-around great athlete and a great person,” Carpenteri recalled.
Gwozsz was also a familiar face at Garden Catering as a child.
“I come in every morning and get my bacon, eggs and cheese, corn and honey mustard,” said Michael Paoletta, longtime manager of the Old Greenwich store.
Paoletta is a die-hard Yankees fan, but on Tuesday he was wearing a Red Sox jersey.
“This is for Tyler,” Paoletta explained, pointing to the hat and shirt. He told News 12 that Gwozdsuds supports Boston and the two would often hang out when he came over.
“Once you’d become a regular, you’d walk in, see him, and he’d start making you a sandwich,” Carpenteri said. “That’s just the way he was, and yes, he was making his own sandwiches here.”
So on June 18th, Tyler style or not, all proceeds from the sale of bacon, egg and cheese sandwiches were donated to the Tyler G Foundation, a charity dedicated to helping those struggling with addiction through educational initiatives, family resource programs and funding for addiction recovery.
Carpenteri and Paoletta said the turnout from local residents was incredible.
“Families in Old Greenwich are tight-knit,” Paoletta said. “Everyone gives.”
“People who came in may not have gotten bacon, eggs and cheese, but they donated $20,” Carpenteri told News 12, adding that others asked that any money they spent be donated to the Tyler G Foundation. “Running a business isn’t always easy, but on days like today, it really makes it worth it.”
Tuesday’s fundraiser took place at all Garden Catering locations.
