Obituary of Joseph (Jozef) Szymanski

Joseph (Jozef) Szymanski, 94 passed away November 6, 2016 with his loving family by his side. He was proud of his Polish heritage and shared his Polish traditions with his family and friends. He was born in Berlin, Germany in 1921 to Maciej and Antonina (Byra) Szymanski. He was a forced laborer during WWII as a farm hand. When the war ended, he was employed for 10 years by the US Labor Service Company where he assisted on the Berlin Airlift and received several excellent driving commendations. He immigrated to the US in December 1956. He met his wife, the late Wanda V (Labulis) Szymanski, at the Polish Home in Syracuse. They married on October 5, 1957 and had three children. He worked at Cast-o-Matic for 19 years and retired from Syracuse Die Casting as a quality inspector. He was a communicant of the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Joseph loved spending time with his family and friends. He enjoyed gardening, the horse track, lottery tickets, Syracuse basketball, playing cards, Polka music, WWE wrestling and love for animals, especially his pets Sasha and Suzy. He remained active into his nineties and was happy to enjoy a shot and a beer or a glass of wine. His loving wife passed away in 1992. Joseph is also predeceased by his sisters Janina Simon and Genevieve Wyskwar and his brothers Stanislaw and Jan Szymanski. Joseph is survived by his loving daughter Veronica, sons Joseph (Karen), and Richard; grandchildren Matthew (Emily) , Kristen, Lisa (Travis) Hammons , Mark and Nicole; great-grandchildren Kaden Jozef Hammons and Noah Jozef Szymanski; sisters Anna Makara from Australia, Aleksandra Jakubiszak of Poland and Henryka Szymanska of Canada, sister-in-law Lillian (Labulis) Greenwood and many nieces and nephews. Calling Hours: Friday 4 to 7PM Hollis Funeral Home 1105 W. Genesee St Syracuse. Funeral Services: Saturday 8:15AM Hollis Funeral Home and 9:30 AM in Sacred Heart Basilica. Burial: Sacred Heart Cemetery, Geddes. Contributions: In Memory of Jozef Szymanski can be made to; Sacred Heart Basilica 927 Park Avenue Syracuse NY 13204 or Syracuse Polish Home 915 Park Avenue Syracuse NY 13204