John P. Szydlo Jr.

John (“Jack”) Peter Szydlo Jr. passed away suddenly after a brief illness on September 10, 2024, surrounded by family and friends at Brooks Memorial Hospital, the same hospital where he was born over 78 years ago. There are so many words that describe him: son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, farmer, athlete, teacher, veteran, coach, referee, umpire, driver’s education instructor, RVer, mechanic, caregiver – to name a few. Behind each of these words are countless stories – too many to tell here – but you are likely to have been a part of at least one of these if you knew him. Jack was, after all, a presence in Chautauqua County – he likely taught someone you know, whether in school or in a vehicle, or he was a referee or umpire at a game you played in or attended. More likely, he influenced multiple people you know. Jack was happy to and lived to inspire and educate others – the world needs more people with this kind of generous spirit, certainly at least a few more to replace the loss of his.

Born February 7, 1946, to John Peter Szydlo Sr. and Helen Szydlo (nee Wysocki, and then through remarriage, Mazur), Jack was the oldest of his three siblings. His first job was a farmer, starting at an early age, which was (and still is) hard work. He attended Forestville Central School where he played football, basketball and baseball; he was the football team’s Most Valuable Lineman in 1963 and 1964 and was on championship basketball and football teams in 1961. After graduating from Forestville in 1964, he briefly attended college at the University at Buffalo on a football scholarship, but the declining health and ultimate passing of his father in 1965 made him return to Forestville where, upon his father’s deathbed request, Jack promised that he would maintain the family farm and raise his younger siblings through to their high school graduation – a promise that he kept.

While tending to the farm and helping to raise his siblings (his “first family,” as he would call them), Jack attended Fredonia State where he earned his Bachelor of Arts in History in 1969. Jack’s first job was teaching 7th Grade Social Studies at Forestville High School, but upon being drafted for the Vietnam War – “the only lottery I’ve won,” as he would say – he enlisted in the U.S. Army, completed 10 weeks of basic training at Fort Gordon, Georgia, and was ultimately sent to work as a Military Policeman in an American prison in Mannheim, Germany. A handwritten report on Jack’s performance in the Army notes: “During the Christmas season, SP5 Szydlo worked overtime repairing damaged toys which were to be donated to needy children. He also volunteered to wrap gifts for approximately 120 children. His efforts made the Christmas activities of this Unit a huge success.” Upon learning that his step-father was terminally ill, Jack requested and was transferred to West Point, NY to continue working for the Army (57th Military Police Company) while also being relatively close (a “short drive” of seven hours) to Arkwright, NY. And, yes, seven hours to Jack was a short drive, him having been known to drive for up to 18 hours or more on frequent occasions.

After being Honorably Discharged from the Army in 1972, Jack returned to Forestville High School where he taught History as well as coached Junior Varsity baseball, Varsity basketball, and football. Jack continued his education during this time, receiving his Master’s in Education in 1976 from Fredonia State. From 1980 to 1990, Jack was the principal of Forestville High School; however, the long hours of this job, his wife’s diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis and the birth of his two sons, led him to take a step back professionally and finish his last 17 years as a 5th Grade teacher. In all, Jack taught for 37 years at Forestville Central School that, when combined with his attending school there, resulted in him having spent approximately 50 years learning and educating at Forestville Central School.

In 1976, Jack received certification to teach Driver’s Education, which he offered at Forestville, Dunkirk, and Fredonia Schools over the years until semi-retiring in 2008. Also, during this time, Jack taught many 5-hour driver education courses and officiated many basketball, football, track, softball, baseball, and volleyball games during his career. He continued doing so even after retiring in 2008, but ultimately retired in 2014 following a heart surgery.

In retirement, Jack continued to enjoy his many hobbies from his younger days, including attending (and volunteering) at air shows, going to see tractor pulls with family and friends, and traveling to various states and countries. Jack returned to Germany two separate times later in life, first, in 2004, to go on a two-week 60th Anniversary of D-Day Tour and then again in 2010 to attend a ten-day trip during Oktoberfest (even though he didn’t drink). Jack and his wife, Sue, also traveled to England and France in 2012. Jack loved to travel and explore, and to strike up conversations with others to discover whether they had anything in common; one such example was during his 2004 trip, when he, outside of Berlin, Germany struck up a conversation with other tourists, who happened to reside in the Buffalo area, and one of whom had him as his driver’s education teacher!

Shortly after his heart surgery, Jack was diagnosed with dementia, which slowly took away Jack’s larger than life presence. Still, even with dementia, Jack found ways to make you smile, laugh, and enjoy being around him. Jack developed newfound interests in the rodeo, which he enjoyed going to with his wife, family, and caregivers, and he continued to attend county fairs, tractor pulls, airshows, fly-in breakfasts, and other social activities.

For much of his life, Jack was a caregiver – whether it be to the animals on the farm, his younger siblings, or his family. Jack was always willing to help someone, and would frequently find ways to do good in the community – whether it be helping the church, helping his students, or even helping strangers – Jack wanted the best for almost everyone. While teaching 5th Grade, Jack would give a big bag of pretzels to the celebrant; when asked why he did this, Jack said that he wanted to make sure that his 5th Graders received something on their birthdays and that it was the least he could do.

Jack is survived by his two sons, John (Nicole) Szydlo and their two sons, Jack Michael and Wilson Reagan, and Michael (Marisa Franchini) Szydlo, and their two daughters, Edith Ann and Nora Cecilia. Survivors also include his younger sister Sharon (Bill) Domst and his youngest brother David (Mary) Szydlo and sister-in-law Merle Szydlo. Jack is also survived by many nieces and nephews, other family and friends, and caregivers. Jack is predeceased by his wife, Susan Szydlo (nee Dolka) who passed away on April 27, 2024, after 41 years of marriage and many more years of friendship. 

He is also predeceased by his parents John P. Szydlo Sr. (1965) and Helen Mazur (2008) as well as his younger brother Thomas Szydlo, who passed away on August 24, 2024.The family wishes to thank everyone who was a part of Jack’s life, and hopes that his memories and lessons continue to live on and inspire others. No loss is easy, and this one is especially tough given the recent passing of Jack’s wife, Sue, a few months earlier; however, the family is comforted in knowing that Jack and Sue are together again – it must have been hard for the two of them to be apart for so long. 

The family also wishes to thank Jack’s caregivers for their assistance during these last several years. In lieu of flowers, the family wishes that any donations be made to Dunkirk-Fredonia Meals on Wheels.

Friends and family are welcome to attend Calling Hours on Monday, Sept. 16, 2024 from 4-7 p.m. at R. Mackowiak Funeral Home, Inc.; 56 E. Doughty Street, Dunkirk, NY. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024 at 10 a.m. at BMA Church of St. Hedwig. Interment in St. Hyacinth’s Cemetery.