April 15, 2012  

LOWVILLE, N.Y.  —  Anthony W. "Tony" Pyrek, 95, died peacefully Friday, April 13, at Castle Point VA Medical Center.

Born June 11, 1916, in Providence, R.I., the second child of Stanley and Helen Stachowic Pyrek, he played football and wrestled for Central High School, and developed a lifelong interest in gardening. 

He served two tours of duty in the Navy, the first in peacetime and the second during World War II, when he was in the Pacific Theater of Operations aboard a destroyer in the fleet commanded by Admiral “Bull” Halsey. 

It was during wartime that he met and married Josephine Fall of Schenectady, N.Y.

After discharge the young couple made their home in Schenectady where Mr. Pyrek worked for American Locomotive and General Electric and began to raise a family. He sang in a church choir, loved dancing with his wife, and was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed fishing and hunting.

The family moved to Poughkeepsie when Mr. Pyrek accepted a position with IBM East Fishkill from which he retired. He became a life member Fourth Degree Knight with Chapter 1646 Wappingers Falls Knights of Columbus.

Mr. and Mrs. Pyrek relocated to Lowville in 1991 to live closer to their son Michael. There, Mr. Pyrek joined the V.F.W., continued his gardening, and enjoyed the quiet, bucolic area. In 2010, the Pyreks returned to Dutchess County, to live near their daughter.

A son, Michael, and two sisters, all died before him. 

Surviving are his wife, “Jo” Pyrek , 50314 Annie Avenue, Pleasant Valley, N.Y.; a daughter, Stephanie; a son, Stanley; a daughter-in-law Carol; two brothers Joseph and Edward of R.I.; several in-laws, nieces and nephews.

Calling hours will be 7 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, April 18, at Sundquist Funeral Home, State Street, Lowville. A funeral Mass will be said 10 a.m. Thursday, April 19, at St. Peter’s Catholic Church, Lowville, with Rev. Daniel Chapin officiating. Burial will follow with military honors in Beaches Bridge Cemetery. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Volunteer Services, Castle Point VA, Castle Point, N.Y. 12511, writing: “GPF 1536” on the memo line of your check.

We have lost a good man from the greatest generation. We are grateful for the long time we had to know and love him, his irrepressible humor, and the superlative, kind care he and the family received from the medical, palliative care and administrative staff at Castle Point.

Condolences may be made on the online guest book at www.sundquistfh.com.






Information provided by Sundquist Funeral Home of Lowville and Newzjunky, Watertown, N.Y.