Our friend and summer time neighbour Tom Szymanski passed  away yesterday. Following is an obituary written by his daughter, Julia

For our family, dealing with this loss, writing this obituary, and making funeral arrangements have been overwhelming. Thank you for your prayers. Please free to share ❤️

On Sunday night, September 23, after an incredibly brave fight with cancer, Tom Szymanski took his last breath at Roswell Park Cancer Institute and ran into the arms of Jesus. As his family, who had fought by his side each step of the way, held him close, God answered countless prayers by calling Tom home to be with Him. His cancer was cast into the depths of the sea and Tom was made whole again.
                                                                                          
Tom was born on November 8, 1951 to Stanley and Floris (Brougham) Szymanski. He was a loving brother to Sue and Juanita and was a firstborn through and through, with care and attention given to every detail of his life. Tom was a rule follower, a reliable guy with impeccable memory who loved helping others, gave selflessly, stood firm on his convictions, and never wavered. He showed the love of Christ through his words and actions.

After years of driving cross-country with the guys, fixing cars, and working hard, Tom’s life changed completely when he met his sweetheart, Mary Anne Slivka. She fell in love with his genuine personality, his concern for others, his mole under his right eye, his map drawing skills and his multiple pages of suggestions on how she could get cruise control installed in her vehicle. She never did get the cruise control installed. They got married on July 4, 1985 and spent their life together in Gowanda, raising three tall children. Tom and Mary Anne instilled in them the value of hard work, of being true to your word, of seeing those who have needs and simply stepping in to help without asking, loving unconditionally, of never giving up even when facing overwhelming odds, and countless other life lessons. Tom taught the kids how to ride bikes, change tires, work on vehicles, design and build, appreciate polkas (instrumentals, no singing), drive stick shift, ride snowmobiles, appreciate classic cars, and so much more. He lived out a life rooted in Jesus Christ he loved Mary Anne and his family. Over the last several years, his family grew with the addition of a son-in-law and two grandboys who loved their Pepa and saw him as a true superhero.

Tom was always known to be a hard worker who would lend a hand and a warm smile to anyone in need. He loved cars, being outdoors, traveling, listening to polka and country music and local radio personalities, woodworking, and snowmobiling. Tom designed and built countless projects both personally and professionally that benefited others. He never wanted nor took credit for anything he did. He simply wanted to serve others. Even during the last week of his life, he spoke of wanting to beat cancer so he could volunteer to drive cancer patients to chemo appointments. Tom was truly one in a million.

While Tom enjoys eternity in heaven with those who have gone ahead of him, he leaves behind an incredible family and dear friends: his loving wife of 33 years, Mary Anne, his daughter, Julia (Pastor Daren) Smart, of Patterson, NC; son, Rudy Szymanski, of Tampa, FL; and daughter, Mary Jo Szymanski, of Denver, CO. He is also survived by his mother, Floris of Gowanda, NY; his sister, Sue Murphy, of Camarillo, CA; sister, Juanita Seneca, of Tuscon, AZ; his uncle Leo and aunt Sharon Szymanski of Gowanda, NY; aunt Helen Nagle of Cattaraugus, NY; brothers-in law and sisters-in law, dear cousins, nephews, nieces, and extended family. His legacy will also live on in his two grandchildren, Andy and Cole Smart. Tom was predeceased by his father, Stanley; grandparents John and Julia Szymanski and Mearl and Ethel Brougham; in-laws Andy and Mary Slivka, in addition to numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Mary Anne, Julia, Rudy, Mary Jo and family know that Tom touched countless lives through friendships and kind deeds. We ask that you would write down memories you have of Tom and give these to our family in person or by mail. Having these stories to hold close is incredibly important to our family as we continue his legacy.

Visiting hours will be held Wednesday, September 26, from 2:00 – 4:00 PM and 7:00 – 9:00 PM at the Schindler Funeral Home in Gowanda, NY. The family will also receive friends prior to the memorial service on Thursday, September 27, from 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM at the Gowanda Free Methodist Church. The service will begin at 12:00 PM with Pastor Jeff Wentz officiating. Burial will be at the Gowanda Holy Cross Cemetery. A luncheon will follow burial at the Gowanda Free Methodist Church.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Gowanda Ambulance, or to the Gowanda Free Methodist Church Building Fund. Thank you for your support, your prayers, and your encouragement now and in the days to come.