Samuel Sykola Jr.

Samuel Sykola Jr., of Sharpsville, PA, loving husband, father of eight, grandfather of 23, and great-grandfather of 14, passed away on Sunday afternoon, Feb. 5, 2017, at St. John XXIII Home in Hermitage, after an extended illness. He was 90.
Born in Pittsburgh, PA's north side on September 6, 1926, the son of the late Samuel and Anna (Pilch) Sykola, spending his youth there being known by his christened name, Walter until joining the U.S. Navy during WWII at the age of 17. Sam was an original crew member(plank owner) of the USS Hanson 832 Destroyer. He often referred to his tour in the Navy as more of a "pleasure cruise" as it ended right in front of them. His time there included a short stay in occupied Nagasaki, Japan. After the war, his adventures continued from taxi driving in Detroit to being a foremen at the Treesdale apple orchards near Pittsburgh. Eventually the Sykola Family left the Pittsburgh area to sink their roots into rural life on a farm in Sharpsville.
Sam enjoyed the outdoors and the farm, hunting, fishing, motor cycling, skydiving and even piloting a Cessna. He had worked at the former National Castings Malleable Plant in Sharon as a millwright and at the former GATX in Masury as a crane man before they both closed their doors. Sam continued working with his wife, Irene, at their upholstering business.
Always a generous heart and blessed with a great disposition, Sam was never short of friends. His humor and kindness made his home a favorite retreat for his many grandkids. Above all, he was known for loving and cherishing his wife, Irene, for nearly 50 years until the very end, always wanting to be at her side. He was an example for all who knew him, being a true representation of the greatest generation.
He was the husband of Irene (Callahan) Sykola, whom he married on April 8, 1967. She survives him in Hermitage. He is also survived by his children, Raymond Sykola and his wife Mary Ann, of Sharpsville, PA, Kimberly Abbott and her husband William, of Sharon, PA, Karen Williams and her husband John, of McClean, VA, Deborah Bucciarelli and her husband Daniel, of Sharpsville, PA, Duane C. Watt and his wife Marsha also of Sharpsville, PA, Robert Watt and his wife Lisa, of North Huntingdon, PA and Samuel Sykola III and his wife Pamela, of Naples Florida along with his 23 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his son Steven Sykola, a great-granddaughter, Matilda J. Ohl, his two sisters, Jeanette Uffleman and Mary Pontari, and two brothers, Theodore and Henry Sykola.
Sam's presence will be sorely missed and his memory will be celebrated by his family and friends. Donations in his memory may be made to the Salvation Army, Fisher Hill, Sharon, PA 16146.
Friends are invited to call Saturday, Feb. 11, 2017, from 1:30 till 3:30 p.m. at Harold W. Stevenson Funeral Home, 264 East State St., Sharon, PA 16146.
Funeral service at Harold W. Stevenson Funeral Home, Sharon, PA. at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, February 11th, with Military Honors at the funeral home presented prior to the service by the Farrell Wheatland West Middlesex Honor Guard. Cremation services provided by the funeral home. Condolences to the family may be expressed by visiting stevensonfuneralhome.net.