Joseph Anthony Strzyzykowski

Joseph Anthony Strzyzykowski, Sr., 92, of St. Joseph, passed away Thursday, January 28, 2016 at his home in St. Joseph.    Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 AM Monday, February 1, 2016 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 211 Church Street, St. Joseph with Father Thomas McNally officiating.  Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery in Benton Harbor. Friends may visit from 2:00 PM until 5:00 PM Sunday, January 31, 2016 at Starks & Menchinger Chapel & Cremation Services, 2650 Niles Road, St. Joseph, with rosary recited at 5:00 PM.  Memorials may be made to Lake Michigan Catholic Athletics. Those wishing to share a memory of Joseph online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.   Joseph was born November 18, 1923 in Muskegon, Mich. to Standley & Ceslawa (Karaskiewicz) Strzyzykowski. He graduated high school from Muskegon St. Mary’s. On April 29, 1950, he married Betty Jane Gaa in Chicago, Ill.  They were happily married for 65 years.  He was employed at Modern Plastics and Bendix where he retired as floor inspector in 1986.  He was very active in the Knights of Columbus & Honor Guard and was an avid supporter of Lake Michigan Catholic Athletics.  He was playground supervisor at Lake Michigan Catholic elementary school and played Santa and the Easter bunny for the children at many locations. He was a very dedicated Catholic attending Mass and sharing his faith.  Joseph loved his eleven children and would always enjoy the company of his many grandchildren and great grandchildren. Camping was a regular family vacation. He enjoyed bowling until he could not hold the ball any longer.   Joseph is survived by his wife Betty Jane; 7 sons:  Joseph (Laura) of St. Joseph, Stanley (Carolyn) of St. Joseph, Thomas (Barbara) of Fairplain, Patrick (Tammy) of St. Joseph, Tim (Sandy) of Benton Harbor, James (Carrie) of Berrien Springs & David of Michigan City, Ind.; 4 daughters:  Susan (Thomas) Holland of St. Joseph, Victoria (Christopher) Haack of Arden, Margaret Krawczewicz of Ft. Wayne, Ind. & Anna (Eleazar) Marquez of Eau Claire; over 100 grandchildren & great-grandchildren and a granddaughter who had a special relationship with Joseph & Betty: April Thomas of Chicago, Ill. Joseph was preceded in death by his parents and one grandson Brian Strzyzykowski in 1980.