Obituary of Matthew A. Syzdek

Matthew A. Syzdek, 92, of Lepper Road, Fort Johnson passed away on Saturday, March 24, 2007 at St. Mary?s Hospital in Amsterdam with his loving family by his side. He was born in Bridgeport, CT on July 25, 1914 son of the late Joseph and Eva Nicpan Syzdek. Matthew was a resident of the Amsterdam area for most of his life. He was a graduate of Amsterdam High School Class of 1931. Matthew entered the U.S. Navy during WWII and served in Okinawa upon the USS Henry Wiley. He worked for General Electric in Schenectady for several years. During his employment with GE, Matthew assisted in building the very first Turbine. Matthew was a very accomplished athlete. It was during his time in the Navy that he became involved with boxing and even doing some refereeing of the bouts between the Navy and Marine Corps. When he returned home, he became one of Amsterdam?s greatest and most accomplished boxers. He even earned the nickname ?The Idol of Park Hill.? He also excelled in baseball and wrestling and even played semi-pro football for a short time. Matthew loved athletics and continued his passion for sports by coaching baseball and softball in the Amsterdam area. He was a member of the Church of St. John the Baptist in Amsterdam, the Amsterdam High School Booster Club, the Knights of Columbus Council # 209, and the American Legion Post #701. Matthew will be sadly missed by all who knew him. Besides his parents, Matthew was predeceased by his wife, the former A. Lucille Hallenbeck in 1991, a daughter Kate Collins-Hyden in 2005, a sister Ciel Jacobson, and two brothers Joseph and John Syzdek. His loving family includes a son, Robert Christine Tambasco of Fort Johnson, two daughters, Eileen Capogna of Hattiesburg, MS and Michele Jeffrey Hassfurter of Amsterdam, a step-son, Ralph Kathleen Tambasco of Amsterdam, two step-daughters, Laurie John Sheckton of Broadalbin and Cara Stephen Dopp of Amsterdam, and fourteen grandchildren, Kim, Paul, Jessie, Zack, Chad, Bryan, Mikalina, Bobby, Tim, Shauna, Nick, Caressa, Chrystie and Jeffrey, two brothers, Myron ?Doc? Irene Syzdek of Amsterdam and Theodore Syzdek of Amsterdam, two sisters, Virginia Mazur of Amsterdam and Helen Kudzin of Schenectady, a sister-in-law, Breta George Rossi of Perth, a son-in-law, Robert Hyden of Delanson, and his former wife, Irene Syzdek-Pilchen of Hattiesburg, MS. Eleven great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews also survive. Funeral Services will be on Wednesday, March 28, 2007 at 9:00 AM at Betz, Rossi & Bellinger Family Funeral Home, 171 Guy Park Avenue, Amsterdam, NY. The Funeral Mass will follow at 10:00 AM at the Church of St. John the Baptist with Rev. Stanislaus Swierzowski as the celebrant. The family will receive relatives and friends from 4:00 to 7:00 PM on Tuesday at the funeral home. Interment will be in St. John?s Cemetery in Amsterdam. Donations in Matthew?s memory may be made to St. John?s Church, 40 VanDerveer Street, Amsterdam, NY 12010.