Stephen SYDOR

One in a million, one in a million. Bob Harrist October 17, 2024

Miss you Dad

How much I enjoyed his sense of humor and see that same dry wit in his daughter, Nancy
Love to all!
Sandy

I only attended Fairview High School for one year, as a Freshman. Mr. Sydor was my Latin teacher and he quickly became my favorite teacher that year. An upperclassman told me all about Mr. Sydor in the summer of 1966 before I met him -- what a unique character he was and I was not disappointed. Rest in peace Mr. Sydor and thanks for being such a great Teacher!

Bob Jonardi, Colorado Springs

I heard of Steve many times before I met him.

Jim Zafris, my friend, was always telling stories about his father-in-law, Steve. I finally met Steve when Jim and I, along with two friends, planned a four-day bike trip alongside the Connecticut River, New England's longest river.

We planned to go from the source, Fourth Connecticut Lake, a beaver pond 300 yards from the Canadian border, to wherever we reachedmaybe the whole 407 miles to Long Island Sound. It was August of 1985....

I meet Steve only once while visiting his daughter Nancy and wife Marjorie.
It was a brief visit, but we talked on many subjects including Carl Jung. Was there any subject he couldn't talk about? I doubt it.
A few days after Nancy sent me his obit, I looked out at my bird feeder and not one but two very loud and noisy Blue Jays were dominating the feeding area. Then they were gone. Humm. Two would mean in symbolic language that something new is coming to consciousness.
I'm wondering...

There are so many wonderful and crazy things that I cherish about Steve. Back in the 80's he often suggested a trip to the Dunkin Donuts on North Main (long gone). Before getting in the car, he'd always set a topic: Cuomo Catholics, the Lefebvrite Schism, whatever. He loved to talk about all kinds of things high and low. We'd settle into a booth and he'd complain that the coffee seemed watery. One night we'd been hashing a topic over for an hour or so when I happened to look out the window....

Mr. Sydor was my English teacher at Fairview HS. He was a colorful, funny, and unique teacher that used that personality mix to also be one of my most effective teachers. "And Quiet Flows the Don" became a good prop for his talents. I also learned a lot about arm wrestling and "IRONY!" that year. I will always remember him.

Ron Messer
Fairview HS '67

My. Sydor was my Latin teacher for 3 yearsa and gave me the only detention I ever had. It was a priviledge to know him.

Marcia Pabst Calhoun
FHS 1968