Chuck Hyde, former Sidetrack GM, passes away at 55

Chuck Hyde, who worked at Sidetrack for 32 years, passed away April 6 in Florida of heart disease. 

"Chuck helped shape Sidetrack for over 30 years from 1982-2014. He influenced so much of what Sidetrack has done as a business and as a part of the LGBTQ community. Our thoughts are with his husband Randy D'Agostino, and the rest of his family," Sidetrack shared on Facebook.

Hyde started working at Sidetrack in July 1982, first as a staff member, then as manager and, at one point, as partner. As general manager, Hyde helped to oversee Sidetrack's five expansions and was responsible for the daily operations at the Boystown bar, one of the largest gay clubs in the nation.

Popular with customers and community organizations, Hyde helped many groups produce successful events and fundraisers at the bar.

Members of the community have been sharing their condolences on Facebook. 

"Chuck was instrumental in advancing our LGBT community - working tirelessly and passionately with individuals and organizations," wrote Amy Matheny, who worked with Hyde on projects for About Face Theatre and Windy City Media Group.

"I had the great pleasure of working with Chuck on many events and shall miss his tremendous spirit, humor, that laser attention to detail, and his inherent professionalism that came at you at lighting speed -- all wrapped up in that sweet personality," shared Richard Knight, Jr.

"Chuck was an amazing, kind, wonderful man and an asset to the Legacy Project. I'm speechless... " wrote Victor Salvo, executive director at The Legacy Project. 

Hyde was a 2001 inductee of the Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame.

"Chuck Hyde is a person who works behind the scenes, preferring to avoid the spotlight, but without whom local community organizations would lose a notable benefactor," reads his bio on the Hall of Fame website.

Hyde left Sidetrack in 2014 in what was said to be an amicable business-related decision. He most recently worked at Hunters in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where he was living with his husband Randy.

"One life can make all the difference," Matheny shared. "He sure made a difference in mine."

Hyde was 55.