Thomas Louis Cyrek

Thomas Louis Cyrek, 79, loving husband, proud father and in his own words, “awestruck grandfather,” passed away after a long and valiant battle with Parkinson’s.  Born in Buffalo, NY on 2/10/1945, he was pre-deceased by his mother, Dorothy Cyrek (Folga) and his father Chester, and his sister, Marcia Cyrek Jahnke. Tom is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Gloria Jean Cyrek (Szetela.) Together they created a home filled with love and joy. Left behind are 2 daughters, Barbara LeBarron (Paul) of Charleston, SC and Catherine Dobson (Kevin) of Lancaster, NY, as well as 4 amazing grandchildren, Katy LeBarron of Madison, Wi, Cole Roberts of Lancaster, NY, Meg LeBarron of Baltimore, Md and Chris LeBarron of Charleston, SC. He is also survived by his brother, Chester Cyrek (Shirley) of Buffalo, NY.At the age of 18, Tom joined the Navy and dedicated 20 years of service as an electrician in the Submarine Service. He was faithfully committed to serving God, country and family and found his second family, his shipmates and later his SubVets, while learning his trade and sparking a love of travel.After his retirement from the Navy, he brought his family home to Western NY and settled in rural West Falls,NY where he enjoyed gardening, walking in the woods and trout fishing with his brother.He treasured spending time with his children and grandchildren and instilled in them his work ethic and values, his love of God, countless sea stories, and his pride in his Polish heritage and ancestry. The traditions he and Gloria passed down and new ones they created will live on through their offspring. So much was shared with his family including his love of the water and fishing. Rain or shine, being on his boat with a fishing pole was his happy place.He valued the camaraderie and friendship that he found with his SubVets of Charleston Base USSVI and the highlight of his week was playing cards and swapping sea stories with them.He fostered a love of travel in his children and grandchildren, his joy in cooking, how to bait a hook and reel a fish in, and most importantly, how to be a good person and a better parent.Together with his beloved wife Gloria, he created a lifetime of love  and traditions that will live on in his family.Tom will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by his family, friends, and neighborhood family. He was the kind of man that drew people to him with his wit and endless wealth of knowledge. If he saw, read or heard it, he remembered it. He was a skilled electrician and Jack of all trades who could taste anything and identify the spices then recreate the dish without a recipe. He was the cook, and Gloria is the baker, and they complemented and completed each other in this and many other ways.Our hearts are broken, but filled with love and adoration, and happy memories of our Papa.Services will be held 12/27/24 at 2 pm at Simplicity Funeral Home in N. Charleston and all are invited to celebrate his life and legacy.Donations can be made in his honor to The American Parkinson’s Disease Foundation, The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, or the charity of your choice.