Gerald F. Sytek

Gerald F. Sytek SYTEK, GERALD F. Muskegon, MI. Mr. Gerald F. (Jerry) Sytek passed away early Tuesday, January 24, 2006. He was 85. Jerry died peacefully at home surrounded by loving family members. Jerry was born in Manistee, Michigan on July 19, 1920 to Louis and Sally (Kucharski) Sytek. He graduated from Manistee High School in 1938 and moved to Muskegon in 1943 where he attended Business College. He was united in marriage to Dolores (Karpowicz) Sytek on May 13, 1950. Jerry retired in 1984 from Teledyne Continental Motors where he had worked for more than 40 years. In 1964 he conceived the idea for an apartment complex in East Muskegon and completed construction of Eastwood Village Apartments in 1967, which he continued to manage and operate with his wife Dolores until his passing. He was a noted member of the Muskegon Area Rental Association and served for many years as treasurer and president. In 1986 he received recognition from Governor James Blanchard for his "outstanding community service." Jerry was a professional musician for most of his life and played violin, mandolin, accordion and upright bass. He was a member of the Tony Horvath and the Tiny Piper Orchestras for several decades, and was a member of St. Michael's choir. Jerry was a member and chairman of the St. Michael's Refugee Re-Settlement Committee, and during the cold war years he helped more than 70 refugees from Eastern Bloc countries find homes and employment in the United States. Jerry was involved in numerous philanthropic causes, and served for many years as a Eucharistic minister at Hackley and Mercy Hospitals. He was preceded in death by an infant son and infant daughter; by his sons, James and Phillip and by his sister, Angeline (Eddie) Zielinski. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Dolores Sytek; daughters, Jane (Rick) Sytek-Davies, Anne (Robert) Lemke; son, G. Joseph Sytek; and his grandchildren, Lara Sytek, Katie VanAntwerp, Benjamin Lemke and Adam Lemke. The Funeral Liturgy will begin at 11 am Friday morning at St. Michael's Church. Burial will be made in St. Mary's Cemetery. Visitation hours Thursday will be from 2-4 and 6-8 pm at the Pachesny-Jend Funeral Home, where the Rosary will be prayed at 7:30 pm Thursday evening. Visitation also one hour prior to service time on Friday at the church. Memorial: The Catholic Relief Fund. -Pachesny-Jend (231) 722-2488