Brian Lawrence Gatza

Brian Lawrence Gatza of Maryville TN passed on October 10, 2018 at home surrounded by his family. He was preceded in death by his brother Michael Gatza and his parents Lawrence and Helen Gatza. Brian was born in Chicago, IL on September 9, 1956 and raised in LaSalle, IL. He attended Illinois State University where he majored in economics. He was an entrepreneur who founded and successfully ran TCE Company, Inc., a communication and technology company, for over 33 years. Brian and his wife Nancy (nee Ebl) had a 41 year adventure together which included their love for hiking, fishing and the outdoors and traveled across the United States, Europe, the Mediterranean, and the Caribbean. They moved from Dundee, IL to Maryville, TN in 2016 and loved living and hiking in the Smokey Mountains. He was a loved dad who coached soccer, basketball, and baseball teams for his kids. He was a 4th degree Knight of Columbus and was a Eucharistic Minister who ministered to the sick and homebound in the community. Brian is survived by his wife Nancy; their children Michael (Catherine) Gatza of Hillsborough, NJ and Sarah (Kale) Goffman of Poplar Grove, IL as well as his grandchildren Emma and Aiden Gatza, whom he loved very much. He was an amazing brother and uncle and will be greatly missed by his brothers and sisters Lawrence (Cindy) Gatza, Kathleen Houchins, Laura Gatza, Christine (David) Bishop and Daniel (Mary) Gatza; his brother-in-law Richard Ebl; 16 nieces and nephews; and 5 great-nieces and nephews. Brian’s sense of humor, kindness and sense of adventure will be missed by all. Family will receive friends on Thursday, October 18, 2018 from 5-7 pm at Smith Trinity Chapel, 1402 Tuckaleechee Pike Maryville TN 37803. Funeral Mass will be at 10:00 AM, Friday, October 19, 2018 at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church. Interment will follow at 12:00 Noon at Woodlawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital or the American Cancer Society. Smith Funeral & Cremation Service, Maryville, 865-983-1000, www.SmithFuneralandCremation.com. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Brian Lawrence Gatza please visit our Sympathy Store.