Obituary for Raymond Michael Przybyszewski
Raymond Michael Przybyszewski, 93, of Erie, passed away peacefully Sunday January 8, 2023 at Brevillier Village. He was born in Erie on November 1, 1929 a son of the late Michael and Anna Dropsho Przybyszewski.
A lifelong resident of Erie, he attended St. Stanislaus grade school, Cathedral Prep (class of 1948), and Gannon College. He married Eleanore Szymanowski on May 5, 1951 at St. Stanislaus Church. She preceded him in death on June 10, 1994 after 43 years of marriage. He helped his dad with the family business "York Grocery Store" located between 13th and 14th on Parade Street. He was a life member of St. Stanislaus Catholic Church where he sang in the choir, was a reader, and Eucharistic Minister. He worked for the United Biscuit Company, later known as Keebler Company, as a salesman in Erie and the surrounding area. He retired from the Keebler Company on March 27, 1992 after 37 years of service. In retirement, he delivered flowers for Potratz Florals for 18 years. He also was a man with a "green thumb" as his outdoor plants always grew uncontrollably beautiful.
He was a very social person and thus belonged to the East Erie Turners, the Maennerchor Club, the Siebenbuerger Club, and the Third Street Falcons. He also enjoyed bowling at Eastway Lanes which he did for 70 years, bowling in the Flagship Open as well as going to out of town bowling tournaments, also golfing with his buddies and spending time on his boat with family and friends at Presque Isle.
Our dad was a genuine individual. He exhibited so many qualities that endeared him to every person he met and even some he hadn't yet. He was kind, caring, compassionate, family oriented, humble, loving and respectful. He led by example, showing us how to live this life that came so naturally for him. We learned the value of hard work and the rewards that came with it. He taught us to do the best we could at all times. When we started working outside the home, he told us to "earn" that paycheck and put half of it in the bank! He was truly a faithful servant to God. As a devout catholic he rarely missed daily mass after he retired. He took much joy in being able to see his grandson become a priest. We are grateful that the dementia that took so much else away from him did not take this. He was proud of all his grandchildren, each one enriching his life in their own special way, and his great grandchildren, who were a bonus. Grampy was there for it all. As we mourn the loss of the Patriarch of our family, we have 93 years of lessons from the greatest teacher we could have ever had and an abundance of memories to sustain us for our lifetime.
In addition to his parents and his wife, he was preceded in death by his fiance and second love, Betty Romecki; his sister, Evelyn Pinzok and her husband, John Sr.; their son, John Pinzok, Jr.; and his brother, Edward Przybyszewski.
Raymond is survived by his four children, Michael Przybyszewski, of Erie, twin daughters, Janet Danielson (Dennis) of Waterford and Joanne Kubinski (Howard) of Erie, and Robert Przybyszewski of Erie; six grandchildren, Eric Danielson (Nicole) of Cochranton, PA, Stephen Kubinski (Jessica) of New Jersey, Dr. Andrew Kubinski, DO (Rachel) of North Carolina, Father Tage Danielson, OFM Cap, of Papua New Guinea, Lauren Shaffer (Eric) of Pittsburgh, and Daniel Kubinski (Ashley) of North Carolina; seven great grandchildren; his sister in law, Mary Fries Przybyszewski of Avon, IN; and many nieces and nephews.
Friends may call at the Russell C. Schmidt & Son Funeral Home Inc., 5000 Wattsburg Rd., on Thursday from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. and are invited to a Funeral Mass at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church on Friday at 10 a.m. Burial will be private in Wintergreen Gorge Cemetery. Those attending the visitation are encouraged to wear masks.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to St. Stanislaus Catholic Church, 516 E 13th St, Erie, PA 16503 or to a charity of one's choice.
Raymond's family would like to give special thanks to his caregiver, Renne, who became fondly known as "Cookie" to dad, for her care, compassion and patience while we could still keep him at home per his wishes. Special thanks also to the staff at Brevillier Village during his short time there.
A lifelong resident of Erie, he attended St. Stanislaus grade school, Cathedral Prep (class of 1948), and Gannon College. He married Eleanore Szymanowski on May 5, 1951 at St. Stanislaus Church. She preceded him in death on June 10, 1994 after 43 years of marriage. He helped his dad with the family business "York Grocery Store" located between 13th and 14th on Parade Street. He was a life member of St. Stanislaus Catholic Church where he sang in the choir, was a reader, and Eucharistic Minister. He worked for the United Biscuit Company, later known as Keebler Company, as a salesman in Erie and the surrounding area. He retired from the Keebler Company on March 27, 1992 after 37 years of service. In retirement, he delivered flowers for Potratz Florals for 18 years. He also was a man with a "green thumb" as his outdoor plants always grew uncontrollably beautiful.
He was a very social person and thus belonged to the East Erie Turners, the Maennerchor Club, the Siebenbuerger Club, and the Third Street Falcons. He also enjoyed bowling at Eastway Lanes which he did for 70 years, bowling in the Flagship Open as well as going to out of town bowling tournaments, also golfing with his buddies and spending time on his boat with family and friends at Presque Isle.
Our dad was a genuine individual. He exhibited so many qualities that endeared him to every person he met and even some he hadn't yet. He was kind, caring, compassionate, family oriented, humble, loving and respectful. He led by example, showing us how to live this life that came so naturally for him. We learned the value of hard work and the rewards that came with it. He taught us to do the best we could at all times. When we started working outside the home, he told us to "earn" that paycheck and put half of it in the bank! He was truly a faithful servant to God. As a devout catholic he rarely missed daily mass after he retired. He took much joy in being able to see his grandson become a priest. We are grateful that the dementia that took so much else away from him did not take this. He was proud of all his grandchildren, each one enriching his life in their own special way, and his great grandchildren, who were a bonus. Grampy was there for it all. As we mourn the loss of the Patriarch of our family, we have 93 years of lessons from the greatest teacher we could have ever had and an abundance of memories to sustain us for our lifetime.
In addition to his parents and his wife, he was preceded in death by his fiance and second love, Betty Romecki; his sister, Evelyn Pinzok and her husband, John Sr.; their son, John Pinzok, Jr.; and his brother, Edward Przybyszewski.
Raymond is survived by his four children, Michael Przybyszewski, of Erie, twin daughters, Janet Danielson (Dennis) of Waterford and Joanne Kubinski (Howard) of Erie, and Robert Przybyszewski of Erie; six grandchildren, Eric Danielson (Nicole) of Cochranton, PA, Stephen Kubinski (Jessica) of New Jersey, Dr. Andrew Kubinski, DO (Rachel) of North Carolina, Father Tage Danielson, OFM Cap, of Papua New Guinea, Lauren Shaffer (Eric) of Pittsburgh, and Daniel Kubinski (Ashley) of North Carolina; seven great grandchildren; his sister in law, Mary Fries Przybyszewski of Avon, IN; and many nieces and nephews.
Friends may call at the Russell C. Schmidt & Son Funeral Home Inc., 5000 Wattsburg Rd., on Thursday from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. and are invited to a Funeral Mass at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church on Friday at 10 a.m. Burial will be private in Wintergreen Gorge Cemetery. Those attending the visitation are encouraged to wear masks.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to St. Stanislaus Catholic Church, 516 E 13th St, Erie, PA 16503 or to a charity of one's choice.
Raymond's family would like to give special thanks to his caregiver, Renne, who became fondly known as "Cookie" to dad, for her care, compassion and patience while we could still keep him at home per his wishes. Special thanks also to the staff at Brevillier Village during his short time there.