Obituary of Joseph A. Szymanik

Joseph A. Szymanik, of Woodbridge, formerly of Greenbriar II, Brick, passed away, Wednesday, February 3, 2010. Joseph was born in Jersey City in 1927 and moved with his family to Newark where he spent his youth. He attended Saint Casimir's and Newark Vocational School for Mechanics. Joe played minor league baseball for the Newark Bears in the 1950's and also started the first boxing/weightlifting club in "Down Neck" Newark's eastside. Joseph was an avid fisherman and especially enjoyed to watch the Jets and the Mets. Joseph enjoyed traveling with his wife Jean. They were members of the Brick Chapter of AARP with whom they enjoyed trips to Atlantic City. Joseph was a veteran of the US Army serving during WWII. He had to stay stateside until one of his four brothers came home due to the Sullivan Brothers rule. Joseph drove an oil truck for the family's oil business in Newark and later became employed by Local 825, Operating Engineers. He retired after forty-five years of service. He worked on the construction of the Oyster Creek Nuclear Power Plant in the late 1960's. Joseph was predeceased by his parents, William and Michelina Szymanik; his sister, Jane Famula; his brothers, Edward & Stanley Szymanik; and by his beloved wife of fifty-four years, Jean "Joan" Mary Nahulak Szymanik. Joseph is survived by his children, Stanley J. Szymanik and his wife Diane, Brian Szymanik and his wife Debbie, Colette Betz and her husband Robert, and Bernadette Perrine and her husband Gary; thirteen grandchildren, Kelly, Trisha, Wayne, Melanie, Brian II, Michael, Daniel, Jason, Stanley II, Kristen, Anthony, Mark, and Matthew; three great-grandchildren, Teresa, Vincent, and Anthony; his niece, Sharon Nahulak; his nephews, Jim & Matthew Szymanik; his beloved friends affectionately known as "The Six Pack."; and by lifelong friends, Mickey & Marie Marusiak. Friends may visit from 2 - 4 p.m. and 7 - 9 p.m., Monday, February 8 at the Pable - Evertz Funeral Home of Point Pleasant, 901 Beaver Dam Road (732.899.3300) At 10 a.m., Tuesday, February 9, Liturgy of Christian Burial will be celebrated at the Church of the Epiphany, Thiele Road, Brick, followed by entombment at Holmdel Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations made in his memory to either the American Heart Association or the American Cancer Association would be appreciated. For directions and online condolences visit www.pableevertzfuneralhome.com