WORCESTER- Chester Orczyk, 91 ½ years of age, died Thursday, November 6, 2008 in UMass Memorial Hospital. He leaves his wife of 65 years, Marion Winifred (Erickson) Orczyk and his son Jan Scott Orczyk; his daughter, Gayle Penniman Orczyk and her children, Janos Steven and Olivia Mariche Orczyk of Berwyn, Pennsylvania; his sister, Helen Zimkiewicz; and several nieces and nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. He was predeceased by three brothers Stanley, Henry, and Walter Orczyk and a sister, Sophie Karpawich.
Mr. Orczyk was born in Worcester, son of Joseph and Frances (Wisniewska) Orczyk. He was a graduate of South High School and earned his Associate Bachelor’s Degree at Worcester Junior College. He worked at the New England Power Company as an Electrical Engineer for 30 years until his retirement in 1983. He also worked for many years as a meat cutter at Fairway Beef Company.
Mr. Orczyk served his country in the U.S. Marine Corps during WWII in the Pacific Theater and received a Commendation for performance of duty on Okinawa from The Commander of the U.S. Fifth Fleet.
Chester was an active member of Chestnut Street Congregational Church which later merged with United Congregational Church, where he faithfully served for several years as an usher, deacon, youth group leader, and transportation coordinator. Chester was also a Mason, belonging to the Montacute/Guiding Lights Lodge.
Chester was a friend to all, a loving and devoted husband, father and grandfather, and a loyal son, brother and uncle. He loved caring for the family dogs - Sooty, Flicka, Cricket, Guinevere, and Trudi - all of whom rewarded him with never-ending happiness.
He will be remembered for his kindness and generosity, his selfless volunteerism, his clever puns and jovial spirit, his respect for mankind, his compassion for all living things, and his faithful love of God.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, November 22, 2008 at 1:00 p.m. in United Congregational Church, 6 Institute Rd. Worcester. A calling hour will be held on Friday, November 21, 2008 in Nordgren Memorial Chapel, 300 Lincoln St. Worcester from 7-8:00 p.m. AND on Saturday, Nov. 22 from 12-1:00 p.m. at the church. Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 22, 2008 in All Faiths Cemetery, Worcester.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute- The Jimmy Fund, 10 Brookline Place West, Floor 6, Brookline, MA 02445-9924, or to the United Congregational Church, 6 Institute Rd., Worcester, MA 01609. For online guestbook, please visit NordgrenMemorialChapel.com.