Wilson Shymanski, 52, died suddenly in his Bradenton home May 8. He was born in 1959 at Manatee Memorial Hospital and died just two weeks shy of his 53rd birthday.
Growing up in Palma Sola Park, mere miles from the beach, Wilson began going to Manatee Public Beach at a very early age. His mom, Kay Shymanski, who died in 2007, packed her kids in the station wagon, crossed the causeway, and the family spent nearly every day in the sun and waves on Anna Maria Island.
Older twin brothers Rich and Phil Salick became local surf legends, moving to Cocoa Beach just out of high school, and Wilson followed their lead after graduating in 1977 from Manatee High.
Wilson’s base of friends were many and he even held the title “Mayor of Coconuts” given to him by the Cocoa Beach crew that frequented that famous beach area.
If it was physical, Wilson was good at it — skateboarding, surfing — especially anything to do with the
beach. Wilson became one of the most notable surfers in Cocoa Beach while managing the Salick Surfboards retail store at its famous Third Street North location, home of many notable surfers, including Kelly Slater.
After living in Cocoa Beach for a number of years, he located to Texas for a time before returning to his home in Bradenton.
He had a keen interest in cars, and spent a lot of time working on his 1991 Mustang. An avid keeper of fish, his salt water tanks in his home were pristine wonderlands, always in top condition with the meticulous care he gave them.
In 1999 Wilson was the great “Hero,” as he gave the gift of life to brother Rich by donating a kidney, thus saving his brother’s life.
A private family service is planned. Memorial donations may be made to the National Kidney Foundation of Florida, 1040 Woodcock Road, Suite 119, Orlando FL 32803-3510, e-mail nkf@kidneyfla.org or go online at www.kidneyfla.org.
He is survived by brothers Richard Salick, Philip Salick and Rosser Shymanski; sister Joanie Mills; nephews Phil Salick, David Morgan and Brandon Mills, and a number of extended family members.
