Richard L. "Sid" Szydlyk

Richard Szydlyk, 74, a longtime Bucyrus resident, died Tuesday, December 26, 2023 at Grant Medical Center as result of multiple health issues.

He was born September 4, 1949 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to the late Leonard S. and Florence M. (Sodolski) Szydlyk. Richard was a 1967 graduate of Pulaski High School and in October of that year, entered the Coast Guard, where he was stationed in Antarctica, Sewickley, Pennsylvania and lastly in South Haven, Michigan. While in the Sewickley area, Sid went on a blind date with Ellen Jean Lyons, the two hit it off and they married on July 1, 1972.

Sid continued his education at the Culinary Institute of America and worked as a chef in Connecticut and New York while attending school. Following graduation, work took them to Cleveland, and he began working airline catering operations for American Airlines. He next took a position with Perkins, which offered him the opportunity of owning the Perkins Restaurant in Bucyrus which many of you know became Sid’s Family Restaurant. Following its closing, Sid worked in a couple of sales positions before joining Meijer, where he was actively involved in the opening of the Mansfield store and served as their Food Service Director. During his 10 years with the company, Sid also had work relations with stores in Columbus and Marion. He next joined Bucyrus Schools, serving as the Director of Food Service, but Sid dreamed of a bigger vision, so he went to work for the Children’s Hunger Alliance to expand breakfast to schools across the entire state. From there, he formed GoFast and became a pioneer in producing and providing breakfast packs to schools. Sid ultimately sold his business to Champion Foodservice who is still running strong today.

Sid was considered a “jack of all trades” and if he could fix it himself or do it himself, he jumped in with both feet. He will be remembered for the life lessons he taught his family, including, be responsible and do the best job possible. Sid certainly maintained a strong work ethic and though he missed out on some life happenings over the years, he was proud to be able to provide for his family. He did enjoy Sundays, as this was his opportunity to spend quality time with those he loved. His grandchildren provided him with great joy and “PopPop” as they referred to him, made it his goal to take each one of them on at least one individual trip somewhere special.  He then created a handmade scrapbook for them to have and hold onto, as a keepsake for their good times had. Sid also enjoyed time spent with friends and cherished the laughs shared with the “Tuesday night group”. He was very skilled and crafty when it came to woodworking, carpentry, drawing and painting which allowed him to create some quality furniture pieces, knickknacks and artistic creations given as gifts to family and friends. He created some tasty meals in the kitchen and loved baking. He showed his love of baking through making wedding cakes for both of his children as well as other close family and friends. Sid also loved working with plants and more recently enjoyed his small vegetable garden.

Sid was a longtime member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church, American Legion Post 181 and a 32^nd Mason.

In addition to Ellen, his wife of 51 years, Sid is survived by children, Shawn (Noelle) Szydlyk of Indianapolis, Indiana and Kara (Matthew) Rodgers of Galloway, Ohio; grandchildren, Jacob and Charley Szydlyk, David and Sydney Thress and Jake and Alex Rodgers; sister, Eileen (Paul) Muckler; cousins, Judy (Michael) Parnau and Mitzi (Dick) James as well as friends from his Tuesday night group.

Calling hours for Sid will be held from 3 – 6 pm Monday, January 1 at Wise Funeral Service. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 am Tuesday at Holy Trinity Catholic Church with Fr. Paul Fahrbach as Celebrant. Military Rites will follow outside the entrance of the church and be provided by the Coast Guard Honor Guard and the Bucyrus Veterans Military Funeral Detail. His body will be laid to rest at a later date in Western Reserve Memorial Garden in Chesterland, Ohio.

His family specifically requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made payable to Shriners Childrens Hospital, Holy Trinity Catholic Church or Autism Speaks (autismspeaks.org). These gifts will be accepted through the funeral home or at the church on the morning of services. Expressions of sympathy are encouraged to be shared on his guestbook at www.wisefuneral.com.