CHICOPEE – Walter Szyszko, 94, of the Fairview section of Chicopee, was Called Safely Home on Wednesday, February 5, 2020. He passed into Eternal Life at the Soldiers’ Home in Holyoke surrounded by the care and comfort of his loving family, his wonderful caregivers and his comrades-at-arms. He was born in Raynham, Massachusetts on January 2, 1926, a beloved son of the late Charles and Anna (Plentus) Szyszko. At a young age, his family moved to Holyoke where he attended Holyoke High School and Holyoke Trade School. He was employed at the former Springfield Armory and then served his country during World War II in the Army Air Corps with the 101st Bomb Photo Squadron and attained the rank of Corporal. He served as an Arm Gunner on a Heavy B-24 Bomber and completed sixteen bomb missions in the European Theatre over enemy territory. He served in the Air Comb Balkans, Rhineland, No Appennines, Po Valley and Central Europe and received the Aviation Badge, the European African Middle Eastern Ribbon with Five Stars and the Air Medal with One Oak Leaf Cluster. Following his military service, he returned to the area in 1953 and moved to the Fairview section of Chicopee. He was employed as a machinist and tool maker at Package Machinery in East Longmeadow and retired in 1986. He was a member of the Package Machinery Retirees Club and a former member of the Moose Lodge 1849 in Chicopee. He was a faithful communicant of Saint Anne Church in Chicopee. He leaves his beloved wife and soul mate, Doris I. (Hebert) Szyszko. They were married on June 17, 1950 at Immaculate Conception Church in Holyoke and were blessed with over 69 years of happiness together. Besides his beloved wife, he leaves his dear brother, James Szyszko and his wife, Bonnie, of Englewood, FL; his dear sister-in-law, Mary Ann Szyszko of Holland, MA; and his many cherished nephews, nieces, cousins, friends and extended members of the Szyszko and Hebert families. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his three dear brothers, John, Harold and Edward Syzszko; and his dear sister, Marian Harrison. His relatives and friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial on Saturday, February 22, 2020 at 10 a.m. in Saint Anne Church, 30 College Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. His burial with United States Air Force Military Honors will follow the Mass at Notre Dame Cemetery, 63 Lyman Street, South Hadley, MA 01075. There are no visiting hours at the St. Pierre – Phaneuf Fairview Chapels, (413-533-3307), 506 Britton Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. In lieu of flowers, his family requests that memorial donations be made in his memory to Saint Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 Saint Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-9959 or the Shriners Hospital for Children, Springfield Unit, 516 Carew Street, Springfield, MA 01104. For more details, please visit:
www.stpierrephaneuf.com