Obituary of Joseph D. Strychalski

Joseph D. Strychalski, age 80, of Jamestown, NY, passed away at 8:13 a.m. Monday, July 13, 2015, in W.C.A. Hospital surrounded by his loving family. Joseph was born October 15, 1934 in Dunkirk, NY, a son of the late Joseph and Wanda Swiech Strychalski. Joe was a graduate of Dunkirk High School. He attended Canisius College in Buffalo, NY and was a graduate of the University at Buffalo, majoring in Physical Therapy. He was also a veteran of the U.S. Army serving from September 13, 1955 to September 5, 1957 as a military policeman. Prior to coming to Jamestown in 1963, he was a Physical Therapist at Meyer Memorial Hospital in Buffalo, NY. After that, he enjoyed a rewarding career as Senior Physical Therapist at W.C.A. Hospital where he worked for 39 years. His specialty was in stroke rehabilitation and amputees. Upon his retirement in 2000, he continued to work flex time at W.C.A. Hospital for several years. In previous years he had a private physical therapy practice in Dunkirk, NY. He was a communicant of St. James Catholic Church and was a member of the Knights of Columbus Club 929, Dunkirk, NY, the Kosciuszko Club of Dunkirk, the Fenton Historical Society in Jamestown and the New York State Physical Therapy Association. He and his wife traveled extensively to Europe, Alaska, Caribbean, and South Africa. He enjoyed the southern beach trips with his grandchildren and family. As an avid Notre Dame fan, Joe's motto was "win one for the Gipper." He attended many Notre Dame games over a 30 year period. He also enjoyed the days when the Buffalo Bills held their training camp in Fredonia, NY and had many personal contacts with the Bill's management. He was a prolific reader and scholar of World War II history. In 2004, his grandchildren surprised him upon his return from a Notre Dame game with a poodle named in his honor, "Stryker Joe", as he was referred to many as "Joe Strike". In 2013, Joe suffered a spinal cord injury which left him a quadriplegic. He handled this medical situation with great dignity and courage. Though paralyzed, he still enjoyed a full lifestyle with vacations to his favorite resort, Nemacolin in Pennsylavnia and spending time with his family at Moon Brook Country Club and the Vikings Lodge. Surviving are his wife of 52 years, the former Barbara Buczek, whom he married June 29, 1963 at St. Hedwigs Catholic Church in Dunkirk, a daughter Shelley Adams and two grandchildren, Shelby and Garrett Adams all of Jamestown. He is also survived by a brother, Dr. James (Dr. Irene) Strychalski of Dunkirk, NY, his sister-in-law Nancy (Tony) Jagoda of Fredonia, NY as well as many relatives and friends throughout the United States. Besides his parents he was preceded in death by a sister Arlene Kreuzberg, a brother-in-law Jack Kreuzberg and his mother and father in law Dorothy and Stanley Buczek. A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. Saturday in St. James Catholic Church. The Rev. John L. Kuhlmann will be celebrant. Inurnment will be in the Sunset Hill Cemetery. Friends will be received for one hour prior to the mass at St. James Catholic Church. Joe instilled a love a of education into his grandchildren's lives and would like to continue to help students pursue their dreams of higher education by having memorials in Joe's name be made to the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation, 418 Spring St. Jamestown, NY 14701.