Carl J. Syrek

Wilbraham -After a long illness, Carl John Syrek of Wilbraham passed away peacefully at home on Friday, February 13, 2015 at the age of 82. He was born in Holyoke to the late John and Lena (Gladu) Syrek. He grew up in Chicopee and lived in Ludlow before settling in Wilbraham 13 years ago. Carl served his country honorably as a U.S. Navy Veteran of the Korean War. He worked for the US Postal Service in Springfield, retiring in 2012. Carl found great joy in the outdoors, one of his favorite pastimes was sitting outside on sunny days with his coffee and a paper. He traveled frequently to the White Mountains and he shared his love of nature with his daughters, hiking with them to the top of Mount Washington when the girls were young teenagers. He was an avid Boston sports fan and classic car enthusiast. He enjoyed knowledge and learning, reading the entire set of the Encyclopedia Britannica over the years. Carl�s sense of humor brought smiles and laughter to friends and people he worked with throughout the years. He was the caring husband of 57 years to Liza (Tranquilli) Syrek, beloved father of Carla Germain and her husband Jerry of Wilbraham and Susan Lapinski and her husband Christopher of South Hadley, caring brother of Joan Reed of Enfield, and devoted and loving grandfather of Nina and Faith Germain. The calling hours will be Friday from 8-10 AM at the WILBRAHAM FUNERAL HOME, 2551 Boston Road, Wilbraham, followed by a Funeral Home Service at 10 AM. Burial will be at 11 AM at the Massachusetts Veterans� Memorial Cemetery, 1390 Main Street, Agawam, MA. In lieu of flowers memorial donations in Carl Syrek�s memory may be made to the Forest Park Zoo & Education Center at P.O. Box 80295, Springfield, MA 01138.