David Braund
Growing up with a widowed Mother plus two older sisters, my father passed away when I was 7, I did not have that father figure in my life, In stepped Mr. Cayavec. With 4 children of his own Bill always invited me along on family adventures or trips to the little league field for added practice, ice cream trips, out for pizza at The Dug Out in Clearwater. Mr. Cayavec was that father figure I needed for guidance, structure and discipline when i needed it. Bill & Marcy always came over our house each week to watch "All in the family" or the Carol Burnette show" with my mother & I, we had a lot of laughs! Mr. Cayavec would help my mother out with her finances (Bill was very good in math) and provide guidance for her as she needed it and at times financial assistance. After i graduated high school he drove us down to Ft. Myers, Fl. to meet the baseball coach at Edison College whom he contacted himself; Bill was influential in getting me a scholarship to further my education otherwise we could not afford to attend.
Later i would be employed by Mr. Cayavec at Custom Glass & Mirror and I worked for him, he taught me to be accountable for my own actions, responsible with money, think about the future, "he would say, keep doing what you're doing and keep getting what you're getting! that always stuck with me. Do better! Sports, all sports! from a professional baseball player to a pro baseball scout to a little league coach to high school basketball referee, man he loved it! Golfing with the boys on weekends and picking up a few bucks along the way! Packing up and driving the Winni to Tuscaloosa Alabama for home games watching son Bob play for the Crimson Tide and coach Paul Bear Bryant, Oh Bill proudly wore the school colors of Crimson, Gray & White let me tell yea! Roll Tide Roll! You always knew what you were getting with Mr. Cayavec, straight up, no nonsense, Truth and Honesty. His generation built this country on strong beliefs, integrity, hard work, dedication, and above all the love of his family and his religion. The world would be a much kinder, more grounded place if there were more people like him. His legacy lives on in the lives of his children and his grandchildren and the lives he touched, the lessons he taught and the love he shared to all. And always remember, his last name is spelled Caya(V as in victory) ec! God Bless, RIP.
I will see you on down the road Mr. C!
