Obituary of Eugene E. Ryczek

Eugene E. "Gene" Ryczek 85, of Chapman Drive, passed away Saturday morning at St. Mary's Hospital in Amsterdam. Born February 13, 1923 in Utica, New York, he was the son of the late Joseph and Rose Kula Ryczek. He moved to Amsterdam as a child and attended local schools. As a teenager, Gene enlisted in the Civil Conservation Corps located at Blue Mountain Lake. Gene was a U.S. Navy Veteran of WWII and served on the USS Virgo Amphibious Attack Ship in the Pacific Theatre. He was employed as a steam fitter for the General Electric Company of Schenectady for a number of years until retiring in 1985. Gene was a parishioner of St. Stanislaus Roman Catholic Church. He was a member of the Cranesville Fire Department holding various elected positions and was the Assistant Montgomery County Fire Coordinator and a Deputy of the Montgomery County Sheriffs Department; he was a member and past Trustee of the Amsterdam Elk's Lodge 101; also a member of the following organizations, John J. Wyszomirski Post 701 American Legion; Polish American War Veteran's; VFW; Inman's Senior Center and its Senior Choir; G.E. Quarter Century Club and received the G.E. Philippe Award. Gene enjoyed fishing, hunting, gardening and socializing at the family pool, feeding the birds and watching the deer and turkeys on the hill. On April 26, 1942 he married the former Irene Dzikowicz who passed away July 26, 2001. He was also predeceased by a son, Daniel Ryczek and a brother Richard Ryczek. Survivors include, a son, Gene Ryczek and his companion Kelly Pope of Amsterdam; two daughters, Sylvia James Raczynski of Ft. Johnson and Sheila Paul Cotoia of Hagaman; a brother Edward E. Ryczek of Hagaman; two sisters, Janet DelliVeneri and Dorothy Webber both of Amsterdam; four grandchildren, Paul Cotoia of New Jersey, Dan Cotoia of New York City, Deborah Mark Auspelmyer of Amsterdam and James Kimberly Raczynski; of Ohio; four great grandchildren, Brooke and Nicholas Auspelmyer and Mya and Jacob Raczynski; several nieces, nephews and cousins also survive and his faithful dog Spike. A prayer service will be held on Tuesday, January 6, 2009, at 7:00 PM at the Betz, Rossi & Bellinger Family Funeral Family Home, 171 Guy Park Avenue, Amsterdam with the Fr. David Mickiewicz officiating. Burial of Gene's cremated remains will take place in spring at St. Stanislaus Cemetery with full Military Honors. Calling hours will be held on Tuesday from 5 to 7 PM at the funeral home. The following services will be held that evening, Post 701 at 5:30 PM; Amsterdam Elk's Lodge at 6:00 PM and the Cranesville Fire Department at 6:30 PM. Memorial contributions may be made in Gene's memory to the Cranesville Volunteer Fire Department, 167 Riverview Drive, Amsterdam, NY or to the Amsterdam Elk's Lodge, P.O. Box 101, Amsterdam, NY 12010 for the Elk's Children's Christmas Fund.