JOSEPH F. GRYGA JR.

Joseph F. Gryga, Jr, 94, of Syracuse, NY, passed away peacefully on January 11, 2025. Born on July 13, 1930 in Syracuse to Joseph and Petronella (Karczewski) Gryga, Joe attended Sacred Heart School, was a graduate of St. Patrick’s High School, and attended SU’s University College. Joe served in the Army during the Korean War, and was honorably discharged with the rank of Sergeant. He was a proud member and past president of the (Solvay) Geddes Rotary Club. If you ever met Joe, you know that he was one of the most positive people you could ever meet. Joe truly believed that a person’s attitude was the most important part of their life that they could control. He would often remind us that it was important to adjust your attitude and keep moving during the stressful times of life. With this attitude he was able to open his own business and become the owner and principal of Gryga, Lewis, and Associates, not retiring until he was in his late 80s. He truly loved helping people through his work. Joe could get into conversations with anyone, and wanted to hear and then share the stories he’d hear. He loved learning about history, politics, the world – you name it – and he tried to find the humor in even difficult situations. Joe also enjoyed reading, spending time with his grandchildren (especially driving them around in his big van in any kind of weather), listening to classical and country music, and going out to lunch with his friends. Joe was predeceased by his granddaughter, Sarah Gryga, his brothers, Fred and Theodore Gryga, his daughter, Jeanette Bakowski-Astafan, and his wife of 67 years, Josephine (Leonardi) Gryga (whom he took great care of in the later years of her life). He is survived by his son, Paul (Kim) Gryga, his daughter, Karen (Steve) McPeak, and his grandchildren, Peter (Blythe) Gryga, and David, Katy, and Lizzy McPeak, and several nieces. Family and friends may call from 4:00 to 6:00 PM Wednesday January 15, 2025 at BAGOZZI TWINS FUNERAL HOME, 2601 Milton Ave, Solvay. Funeral services will be held 11:00 AM Thursday January 16, 2025 at the funeral home. Private burial will be in Onondaga County Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his memory to The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International at www.my.rotary.org/en/rotary-foundation. Please share online memories and tributes at www.bagozzitwins.com.

JOSEPH F. GRYGA JR.

July 13, 1930 - January 11, 2025