John J. Sylchak

Port Jervis, NY

John J. Sylchak died unexpectedly at Bon Secours Community Hospital in Port Jervis, NY on Thursday, February, 11, 2010, after a brief illness.

He was born March 1, 1930 on the family farm in Greenville, the son of the late Louis and Mary Sylchak.

On September 18, 1971 he married the love of his life, Shirley McCusker Schafer Sylchak.

He was an avid hunter and fisherman, and also enjoyed playing and managing men's softball leagues in both Port Jervis and Middletown. However, his greatest passion was bowling and he was extremely proud of his membership in the Middletown Bowling Association Hall of Fame. He was well known at the Port Jervis and Minisink Bowling Lanes and loved taking part in the NY State tournaments. His love of bowling is something that he shared with his son-in-law and passed along to his granddaughter and great-granddaughters. He was their biggest supporter.

A farmer by trade, which resulted in his life-long love of gardening, John later was employed with HGI Skydyne, where he worked as an industrial painter until his retirement.

He was a member of the Hope Evangelical Free Church in Matamoras. He valued time with his family, especially holiday dinners at the farm, parties for the grandchildren, and going out to eat with his wife.

John was a true gentleman who believed there was good in everyone, although he said, "with some people you had to look a little harder to find it, but it is there." He was loved by all and leaves behind many grieving family members and friends.

In addition to his loving wife, he is survived by his son, Joseph Schafer and his wife, Donna; his daughter, Lynne Edwards and her husband, Kenneth; five grandchildren: Traci McFeely and her husband, James, Courtney McDermott and her husband, Mark, Brooke Csencsits and her husband, Jason, Jacquelyn Schafer and her companion, Jason, and Kenneth Schafer and his wife, Jessica. He is also survived by seven great-grandchildren: Makayla and Jaelyn Csencsits; Connor, Gannon, and Keegan McFeely; Lucy and Brodie John McDermott. John is also affectionately survived by his very special Greenville cousins, Lee, Greg, Sandy, Karen Wiebolt and their families. He is also survived by his boyhood friend, Louie Harford. At home, he is further survived by his devoted cat, Flame. He was predeceased by a grandson, Ryan Schafer; his beloved aunt and uncle, Annie and Bill Wiebolt.

Friends may call on Sunday, February 14, from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, Inc., 154 East Main St., Port Jervis, NY.

Funeral Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, February 15 at the Hope Evangelical Free Church, Matamoras, PA, with Clifford Jones officiating. Interment will take place at Rural Valley Cemetery, Cuddebackville, NY.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to the Port/Deepark Humane Society, Rt. 209 Port Jervis, NY 12771 or the Hope Evangelical Free Church, 300 1st St., Matamoras, PA 18336.

Funeral Arrangements are by Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home. For information, directions, or to send a condolence note to the family, please visit www.knight-auchmoody.com or 845-856-3312.