Andrew J. Nychyk

Obituary

Andrew J. Nychyk, 88, of Fort Myers, entered into the presence of his Lord on August 3, 2008. Born in the town of Radisson in the Saskatchewan province of Canada, his family moved to Wauchula, FL in 1922 where Andy grew up helping his father on the family farm. After leaving home at the age of 14 to support himself, he worked on farms in the area and did odd jobs. He helped construct the Navel Air base in Key West in 1940, then drove a bus for Glades Motor Line during the war years. It was while he was driving a bus that he met Mazie K. Unwin of Pahokee, FL, who became his wife on August 28, 1944. Andy left the bus line and they moved to Arcadia in 1949 where they started farming. A year later, they moved to Fort Myers and farmed gladiolus flowers first in Tice, then on a piece of property off US 41 in South Fort Myers until 1958. Then he grew vegetables on that property and others. Andy and Mr. Barney Daniels cleared a path through the brush from US 41 to their farms. This graded trail later became Daniels Road, then Daniels Parkway. Andy was also one of the founding members of Lee County Farm Bureau, and putting his bus driving experience to use, he very much enjoyed driving the Fort Myers Green Wave Sports Teams to their events on the team bus in the late 1960?s. He retired from farming in 1979 and delighted in visiting with his farming friends, playing Gin with his buddies, and traveling with family and friends.

Andy professed Jesus as his Savior and was baptized at the First Baptist Church in Fort Myers in 1979. He continued to be a member there until his passing and, up until a few years ago, he enjoyed working on the grounds of the Church as part of his service to his Lord and his Church family. He served as a member of the Baptist Foundation and gave assistance to many in need.

Andy and Mazie had been married for 55 years when she went before him to live with their Lord. He is survived by his sons: Andrew, Jr., (Crystal) and Timothy Jon (Nona); his grandchildren; Randy (Nikki), Tim, Jr., (Heidi), Gary (Heather) of The Dalles, OR, Brandis Rodriguez (Pete), and Rebecca; and his great-grandchildren; Marissa, Julia, Randall, Emma, Nathan, Taylor, Maycie, and Jackson. His older sister, Susie Gatesman, of Wauchula, FL, also survives him.

The family will receive friends on Friday, August 8th, 5-7 pm, at Harvey-Engelhardt-Metz Funeral Home, 1600 Colonial Blvd, Fort Myers. A funeral service will be held Saturday, August 9th, 10:00 am, at First Baptist Church, 1735 Jackson Street, Fort Myers, with entombment to follow at Fort Myers Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Children's Hospital of Fort Myers-Barbara's Friends, 9981 S. Healthpark Drive, Fort Myers, FL 33908 or Hope Hospice, 9470 Healthpark Circle, Fort Myers, FL 33908.

Harvey-Engelhardt-Metz Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.