RETIRED CAPTAIN, SALEM FIRE DEPARTMENT
SALEM - Thomas A. Pawlyk, 89, of Salem, retired Captain of the Salem Fire Department, husband of 49 years of the late Julia (Swensiski) Pawlyk, died Wednesday morning, March 18, 2009 at the Shaughnessy - Kaplan Rehabilitation Hospital, Salem, following a short illness.
Born in Salem, he was the son of the late Nestor and Mary (Stankiewicz) Pawlyk.
He was a Navy veteran of WWII and attained the rating of Fireman First Class.
Mr Pawlyk proudly served as a Salem firefighter. He was appointed to the department in1941 and rose through the ranks to the position of Captain, retiring in 1978.
Mr Pawlyk served as Chairman of the Salem Retirement Board for 16 years. He was a life member of the Elks Lodge #1409 of Peabody, and enjoyed traveling, playing cards and sports of all kinds.
He is survived by two sons, Thomas C. and his wife Barbara Pawlyk of Wenham, Roger J. Pawlyk of Peabody, one daughter, Gloria S. Pawlyk of Salem, four grandchildren, Randall T. and his wife Kristen Pawlyk of Peabody, Matthew C. Pawlyk of Salem, Jay L. and his wife Laura Pawlyk, Peabody, Christopher J. and his wife Jennifer Pawlyk of Haverhill, three great grandchildren, Olivia Pawlyk of Salem, Julia Pawlyk and Daniel Pawlyk, both of Peabody and several nieces and nephews. He also leaves his longtime companion, Anna Thomas of Revere, and a former daughter-in-law, Karen Shaw of Portsmouth, NH. He was predeceased by one sister, Florence Lima.
His funeral service will be held Saturday, March 21, 2009 at 9 am from the Full-Spychalski Funeral Home, 84 Washington Square East, by Salem Common, Salem, followed by a funeral Mass at 10 am at the St. John The Baptist Church, 28 St. Peter St., Salem. Visiting hours are Friday, 4 to 8 pm. Relatives and friends respectfully invited to attend. For those who desire, donations may be made in his memory to the either St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or to the Hospice of the North Shore, 75 Sylvan St. Suite B-102, Danvers, MA 01923. For on-line guestbook and other information, visit www.SalemFuneral.com.