Nicholas Edward Gwozdz

Nicholas Edward Gwozdz, M.D., an adored family member, friend and physician, died peacefully December 16, 2024, at his home in Bethesda, Maryland, surrounded by his family. He was 88.

Ed was born to Josephine and Nicholas Gwozdz, and spent his childhood in Springfield and Chicopee, MA, with his younger brother, Ron, and many aunts, uncles and cousins. He graduated from Chicopee High School, the College of the Holy Cross, and the Georgetown University School of Medicine, where he was elected to the Alpha Omega Alpha medical honor society. He completed a medical internship at North Carolina Memorial Hospital in Chapel Hill, NC, and a residency at Georgetown University Hospital, where he later completed a fellowship in cardiology under his friend and mentor, W. Proctor Harvey, M.D. Ed proudly served two years as a captain in the U.S. Army at Ft. Hood, TX, and was a member of the Army reserves.

Ed established a private practice in Washington, DC, in 1967, where he cared for his patients for 50 years. He was a skilled and respected clinician, but always noted that his favorite aspect of medicine was taking a history, and getting to know his patients and their families, who hailed from around the world and every walk of life. Alongside his practice, Ed volunteered on the clinical faculty at Georgetown, was a cardiology consultant for Georgetown athletics, and directed a wellness program at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Washington. He enjoyed the companionship of his fellow doctors through the Georgetown Clinical Society, and later with the Retired Old Medics Eating Out, also known as
"The ROMEOs," of which he served as president at the time of his death.

Ed loved all sports. He grew up playing hockey and baseball, coached youth basketball, and was a steadfast supporter of Georgetown basketball and the Boston Red Sox. He was an avid golfer, including as a member of Congressional Country Club and the Kellogg Old Boys of Chicago, IL, and would be happy to tell you that he once shot his age, at 81. He was a passionate photographer of sports, nature and people, and found great joy in sharing his work. Ed practiced his faith as a member of Our Lady of Mercy and St. Bartholomew Catholic Churches.

Ed was a compassionate doctor, a loyal friend, and a kind and selfless person who loved to be helpful. He loved dogs, telling stories, and gathering friends for dinner. More than anything, Ed loved being with his family, and is survived by Colette, his wife of 64 years; five children, Karen (Mark) Blumhardt, of Parker, CO; Nancy (Michael) Miller, of Silver Spring, MD; David (Traci), of Charleston, SC; Janet (Mike) Gaffney, of Bethesda, MD; and Steven (Ally), of San Francisco, CA; fourteen grandchildren; one great-grandson; his brother, Ron (Carol); five nieces and nephews, and many friends.

A memorial Mass will be celebrated Friday, January 24, 12 noon, at St. Bartholomew Catholic Church, Bethesda.