John Richard Syjud
October 5, 1930 – March 19,2015
John R. Syjud passed away at his home in Centralia, Washington on March 19, 2015 after a long, full, and rich life.
John was born in Hamtramck (Detroit), Michigan on October 5, 1930 to Mildred and Jan Syjud. The youngest of five children, he served as an altar boy in a Polish-speaking Catholic church, and began playing accordion and singing in Polish polka bands at a young age. Richie Rich and the Royals even made records, and it was as a musician that John met his bride, the lovely Iris Ann Smith. John and Iris celebrated 62 years of marriage last year, and together they had five daughters, all of whom were raised in a large house that John built in Renton, Washington, with his own hands.
John Syjud was always proud of his service as a paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, North Carolina, during the Korean War. Hired by Boeing in 1958, John and Iris moved to the Seattle area, where he worked as an electronic technician, running an AIRINC site for aeronautic radar research for nearly thirty years, serving as a union steward with the Aerospace Machinists Union. He also had a small construction business, building homes, garages, and room additions. After John and Iris retired, they enjoyed many years traveling around the country in their beloved RV, spending many winters in Arizona with old friends from Michigan.
John was blessed with many talents. He was a fine woodworker and builder, an accordionist, and a master gardener and composter, going to schools to train young people in the art. He made wine and beer, remodeled a baby grand piano (both inside and out) for the family home, and he was a master auto mechanic. John was a plumber, electrician, and surveyor – a true Renaissance man of his time.
John R. Syjud is survived by his wife, Iris Ann Syjud, and five daughters, Denise Roselle, Cindy Browne, Beth Ann Brooks, Dolores Tannehill, and Christina Massoni; five grandchildren, Austin Jamieson, Tor Benson, Iris Nash, Eva Massoni, and Nicholas Browne; there is one great grandchild on the way; sons and daughters-in law, and many more loving relatives. He was well loved and will be truly missed.
A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, March 28th, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 225 N. Washington, Centralia, Washington. In memory of John, do something nice for someone.
