Online Obituaries

John A. Rybak, 95, of Chicopee, died on Monday, January 2, 2017 at Mercy Medical Center in Springfield. John was born on May 24, 1921 in Chicopee Falls, where he spent most of his life, except for three years which he spent in the Army Air Force. He was attached to the 438 Troop Carrier Command which lead the Normandy Invasion in WWII-C47. John was the son of the late Albert and Josephine (Soja) Rybak. John was a communicant of the Basilica of St. Stanislaus Bishop and Martyr and was a 1938 graduate of Chicopee High School. He graduated from three Air Force School’s; Air Craft Mechanic in Lincoln, NE, Propeller Specialist, Chanute Field, IL and Crew Chief School, Long Beach, CA. John was employed at Savage Arms and the Springfield Armory. After the war, he joined the family business, The Blue Room Café from where he retired in 1976. He was a member of the American Legion Post 275, Disabled American Veterans, Chapter 19, Chicopee Lodge of Elks 1849, the Polish American Veterans, Andrew Balut Post and a former member of the Tigers Athletic Club. He is predeceased by his brother, Matthew Rybak and two sisters, Helen and Emily. He is survived by his wife of sixty-eight years, Lucille (Davio) Rybak; three sons, Michael Rybak and his wife, Jeannette of Chicopee, John Rybak and his wife, Christine of Holyoke and Richard Rybak and his wife, Nancy of North Fort Myers, FL; two daughters, Joan Cuozzo and her husband, Michael of Indian Orchard and Cynthia Lariviere and her fiancé, Paul D’Amico of Diary, NH; a brother, Edward Rybak of Chicopee; ten grandchildren and six great grandchildren. John’s funeral will be held on Tuesday, January, 10th from the Cierpial Memorial Funeral Home on 69 East St. in Chicopee Falls at 8:30 am, followed by a Liturgy of Christian Burial in the Basilica of St. Stanislaus at 9:30 am. His burial will follow with Military Honors at the Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Agawam at 11 am. Calling hours are on Tuesday morning from 8:30 to 9:00 am. In lieu of flowers, please make memorial contributions to Soldier On, 425 N. Main St., Leeds, MA 01053