Richard J. Syrek
Long time Malvern and Valley Forge resident, Richard J. Syrek, 90, passed away on May 17, 2018. He was surrounded by his children and grandchildren for many years and will be deeply missed by all that knew and loved him. A native of western Pennsylvania, Syrek was born on September 14, 1927 in Washington, PA to Ann (Sapp) and John Syrek. One of nine children, Richard was the last remaining survivor and stayed in close contact with his brothers and sisters, living across the country, throughout his life.
Having played baseball and football throughout high school and college, Syrek was inducted into the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame for baseball in 1995. Offered a professional contract with the Boston Red Sox in 1948, Richard instead served in the United States Army and went on to serve during the Korean War earning the National Defense Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal and the Korean Service Medal. Richard then graduated from Cedarville College (Ohio) with a B.S. in Business Administration before working for Westinghouse in Pittsburgh and then PECO Energy until his retirement in 1988.
An avid golfer and member of the Phoenixville Country Club, Richard was featured in local newspapers for his 9 documented hole-in-ones - the last of which occurring when he was 82 years old. Married for nearly 35 years to Dr. Sue (Jones) Syrek, a longtime emergency room physician at Bryn Mawr Hospital, Richard is survived by his four children: Richard (wife Kristy), Scott (wife Kathy), Amy Shearer, and Lisa Hallock (husband R. Jason) as well as his ten grandchildren: Scott, Reiley, Aubrey, Kyle, Hannah, Chris, Sam, Owen, Nate and Eleanor.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend his Funeral Mass at St. Ann Catholic Church, 502 S. Main Street, Phoenxville, PA on Thursday, May 24, 2018 at 11:00 am. The family will receive guests at the church from 9:4510:45 am preceding mass. A reception for all will be held immediately following mass at the home of Rich and Kristy Syrek, 23 Lauren Lane, Chester Springs, PA.
Condolences may be given at www.GatchaFuneral.com