Online Obituaries

Edward A. Rybak, 82, of Chicopee, died peacefully at home on Monday, June 17, 2019. He was a 34-year teacher in the Chicopee Public Schools at Kirby, Anna Barry, Fairview and Bellamy. Ed was born on February 11, 1937 in Chicopee and was the son of the late Albert and Josephine (Soja) Rybak. Ed was a graduate of Chicopee High School and American International College. Ed was a communicant of the Basilica of St. Stanislaus and an usher at the basilica for many years. Ed was a former Chicopee High School Hockey coach from 1965 to 1974. His 1968-1969 teams won back to back the Western Mass championships that were elected into the 2016 Chicopee Athletic Hall of Fame. He was a former secretary of the Chicopee Lodge of Elks 1849. Ed was a former member of the Chicopee Water Commission and a current member of the Registry of Voters. He was chairman of the board of directors at the Polish National Credit Union. For six years, he was a member of the Army Reserve. Ed was a member of the Dodger’s Athletic Club and was a candlepin bowler at the Imperial Alley’s, having bowled over 400 for 3 strings several times. Ed loved to travel, especially to Las Vegas and summered for many years at Hampton Beach. He enjoyed gardening, golf and cooking. Ed is predeceased by his wife, Evelyn (Kohanski) Rybak, who died in 2012, his two brothers, Matthew and John and two sisters, Helen Camerlin and Emily Ziemba. He leaves many nieces and nephews and a sister-in-law, Mary Roy of West Springfield. Edward’s funeral will be held on Friday, June 21, 2019 from the Cierpial Memorial Funeral Home on 69 East St. in Chicopee Falls at 9 am followed by a Liturgy of Christian Burial in the Basilica of St. Stanislaus at 10 am. Burial will be in St. Stanislaus Cemetery. Calling hours are on Thursday from 4 to 7 pm. Memorial contributions may be made to the Edward A. Rybak Scholarship Fund, c/o Polish National Credit Union, 46 Main St., Chicopee, MA 01020.