Zdzislaw Edward Wyzykowski

Zdzislaw Edward Wyzykowski, 87, peacefully entered into eternal life on November 20th, at his home in Wallington, surrounded by his loving family. Known to family and friends as “Eddie” or “Zdzichu”, he was born in Drohobycz, ZSRR to Czeslawa Wyzykowska on February 7, 1937. Sadly, his father died prematurely, and he never knew him. He was raised in Haczow, Poland, by an abundance of loving family members who were musicians, carpenters and great minds of history, geography, and engineering. Zdzichu learned so much from his grandfather Henryk Wyzykowski who he looked up to as his own father who made quite an impression on him. Upon completing his formal education, he worked alongside his uncle, noted Geologist, Jan Wyzykowski in the exploration of copper ore deposits in Sudety Basin near Kamienna Gora and Slupca. His uncle would go on to discover the largest recorded amount of copper found in the Lubin-Sieroszowice Region in 1959. Uncle Jan Wyzykowski continues to be recognized today with a university and educational institutions named in his honor. Zdzichu also worked at the Nowa Ruda Coal Mine. While in Nowa Ruda, he met his sweetheart, Wladyslawa (nee Kozyra) Wyzykowski in a restaurant when out with friends. Their courtship was cut short as soon after Wladzia would immigrate to the United States. However, Zdzichu was convinced she was the one and before she left for the US, he gave her a love letter, a ring, and a promise. As they say, “absence makes the heart grow fonder” and after several years, Wladzia received her immigration status allowing her to return to Poland and marry, Zdzislaw, on June 19, 1965. Shortly after, Zdzislaw and Wladzia returned to the US and settled in Wallington, NJ beginning their married life together. The only family members they had in the US were Wladzia’s elderly Aunt Ludwika and Uncle Jozef Kruczek. Both Wladzia and Zdzichu looked after them and loved them like their own parents until their deaths. Zdzichu’s dream was to have a good job, to purchase a house and to have a family. He would embrace the United States as his lifelong home, work hard to learn the English language, learn the new way of life and be a good husband and a devoted father as the first of his three children, arrived in April 1967 … the dream begins.

Zdzichu worked in a factory as a skilled machine operator/repairman throughout his career often working several jobs at a time to support his growing family. He retired in 2001 from Dimensional Merchandising, Inc. in West Caldwell, NJ after almost 20 years of service. His family remembers a man who could fix anything and everything. He often spoke about hard work, doing things right the first time and to have a few good friends along the way and to enjoy good times but to always stay grounded and focused. Zdzichu believed and instilled the “hard work” philosophy in his children and grandchildren and to always work hard and especially, study hard!

Upon retirement, Zdzichu enjoyed being outside enjoying nature’s natural beauty. He was an outdoorsman and he loved to go fishing and enjoyed deep sea fishing along the Jersey shoreline, reservoir fishing at the NYS Watershed, salmon fishing in Pulaski, NY and ice fishing in Greenwood Lake, NY. He had his favorite fishing spots throughout the tri-state area, and he loved every minute of it with friends and especially with his son and grandsons. He enjoyed visiting Lake Wallenpaupack, PA with his wife, Wladzia to visit their daughters’ and their families on the weekends and on occasion take a drive to the Jersey shore as Wladzia liked the beach. He served as a taxi driver for his grandchildren picking them up and dropping them off at school or sports activities. He loved to read and learn about all sorts of subjects, but his constant was the daily newspaper – 3 of them in both English and Polish – he was a self-taught man, an avid reader, extremely knowledgeable in many subjects and an avid supporter of his family and a good friend who would give you the shirt off his back. He enjoyed good music, singing (had a great voice) and he loved to dance with his wife but made sure his daughters learned as well. He would start the record player and the dancing lessons (in mom’s spacious kitchen) would begin; he knew how to play a tune on his harmonica and was a mean accordion player. Good times were had for sure with his friends in the early days playing cards, laughing, and having fun as a group.

Zdzichu had a great smile, a wonderful laugh, a beautiful voice and when in conversation, you always learned something new. He was smart as a whip; he loved his music, history, geography, and his politics. But mostly, he loved the USA, and he was so grateful to come to this country, live his life and become a US Citizen and proudly cast his Vote on Election Day! He is to be mostly remembered for being a devoted husband, to his wife, Wladyslawa for 57 years at time of her death on July 30, 2022, a good friend, a past member of the Polish American Club of North Jersey, a parishioner of Most Sacred Heart of Jesus Church; but most of all; his greatest gift was that of being a father and the life lessons he taught and the love he gave to his three children.

Surviving are his three devoted children; his daughter, Lucille “Lucy” Baginski and her husband Stanley; his daughter, Susan Strama, and her husband Piotr and his son, Mark Edward Wyzykowski and his wife Deborah. His loving grandchildren, Amanda, Lauren, Shawn, Samantha, Olivia, Diana, Alana and Stephen. In Haczow, Poland, we recognize his one remaining Uncle, Stanislaw Wyzykowski - 97 years “young” (budowniczym liry korbowej), his very close cousin, Anna Adamczyk and her family as well as countless extended family members and friends of the region. In Nowy Targ, Poland – his Sister-in-Law, Maria Kozyra and her husband Michal, his brother-in-law, Aleksander Kozyra and his wife, Zofia. In Konina, Poland, his sister-in-law, Maria Kozyra (+Jozef). In Koninki, Poland – his sister-in-law, Stanislawa Kozyra (+Stanislaw) as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins as well as countless extended family members and friends. He was predeceased by his beloved wife, Wladyslawa Wyzykowski, his mother, Czeslawa (Wyzykowska) Wachel and his dear Uncle Jozef Kruczek and Aunt Ludwika Kruczek.

Visiting, Monday, November 25th, 3 - 7 pm, and Tuesday, November 26th, 9 - 9:30 am; Warner-Wozniak Funeral Service, 80 Midland Avenue; Wallington, NJ 07057. A funeral Mass will be celebrated 10am, Tuesday at the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, 127 Paterson Ave, Wallington, NJ. Interment will follow at East Ridgelawn Cemetery, 255 Main Ave., Clifton, NJ.  

In Lieu of flowers, a monetary donation in memory of Zdzislaw E. Wyzykowski to, Tunnel to Towers Foundation, www.T2T.Org is appreciated.