Bruce Szymczak Obituary

my dearest Bruce, our writings in this guest book will now close so I shall make one last entry. I had a dream of you again last night. I was with you in the dream and we hugged big hugs and smiled but you said I could not come with you right now, that I needed to stay here still for a while, that I still had things I needed to do in my life here for both myself and Jessica. I know you are right but my heart in this lifetime shall never fully recover the loss of you. I want to thank you for all you did and gave and shared and taught me and us. I have tried to carry on and find each day a little more strength and do the best I can. In this life of mine of all I've done and accomplished though I am most proud of our daughter, Jessica Royals Szymczak. I know you are too. She is beautiful, kind, smart, funny, loving, appreciative and determined and in her ways I see you carry on. As we get up and go through each day we always notice your scatterings of gifts around us, even as small as they may be, we see them. Thank you for these gifts and for surrounding us and yes, I do know your love...I really do know. Bruce, we miss you, we will go on and live well as you would want us to do but we miss you and as each sunrise and sunset come and go, forever you remain....with us still~ With all our love, through all eternity....we love you...always...amy and jessica~

hello bruce, sunday, july 17th, jessi and I were at a place you and I shared. we talked about you and so many things made us smile. we miss you. we're trying to create our own little home now since we've moved into the new house. you would like it here. it is quiet and peaceful and a lot of great big 200 year old trees everywhere. i pray each morning when i frist awake for understanding. Jessica is amazing...i know you're with her but you would really be so proud of her, she is an amazing person and I am lucky to be a mom to the best girl in the world. We miss you...we miss you Bruce. With all our love, always, Amy and Jessica

we miss you

Dear daddy,
I miss you a ton, like a lot, i miss giving you big hugs and kisses and wish i could give you lots and lots. I am getting to a point in time when i am having a little bit of trouble in school and i am falling apart a little more. I wish you could still be here to see all of the cool and exciting things that i am accomplishing every single day and i wish you could still be here to tell me how beautiful i look up on stage when I dance or how great of a singer i am, but i will try my best in the show that is coming up and make sure that i shine like a star just for you daddy!!!! I LOVE YOU SOOOOO MUCH, YOU WERE THE BEST DADDY ANY GIRL COULD EEEEVVVVVEEEERRRRR HAVE!!!!! <3 (thats a heart) :) love you! miss you! xoxoxoxoxoxo

my dearest Bruce.... this sunday will be two years since i have lost you. I may have gone on and handled what i had to handle but my heart has never recovered. the pain of your loss has become part of my being and fills my every breath daily. jessi and i have tried to go forward as best we could and slowly seem to be finding our way. i've handled so much the last two years, i think you would be pretty impressed but i am tired now and need to rest for a while i think. i'm actually mowing the grass every week at our new home :) and it looks pretty good. at least i haven't killed the grass yet. Jessica and I talk about you and the times we shared together all the time and celebrate the life you led and the part you played in not only our lives but in so many, many others. you would be so proud of her. she is beautiful and headstrong like you and will do well in whatever she pursues in life because she is so determined. please continue to watch over her wherever you are and keep her safe and warm. my and your family and friends continue their love and support toward all that is good for you. when it comes to the day that should be my last on this physical day on earth, i hope that the one that meets me first on the other side shall be you. i love you..... i miss you....i miss you...so terribly much...all the time....all the time.... with my love.... always......amy

Happy Birthday Bruce. Never Forgotten. We miss you.

Bruce...today marks a full year of your presence missing from our lives. So many memories we created with you over the past 20 years...so much fun and laughter. You are so missed. I have kept my promise to your Dad to say your name aloud and toast you at every gathering we have had. I pray for Amy and Stephanie, Laura and Jessi all the time. What a powerful, powerful love you had with them. It is so evident all the time. I am so grateful that you and I had such a strong conversation about your love for Amy and your daughters a couple of weeks before you passed. You knew and shared a great love. I have held that conversation - what you said and how you said it very close to my heart. You set the bar for us in so many ways. We miss you here in NC...we can hear you at our family gatherings. Your name is spoken all the time, all the time - with laughter and tears and deep love and gratitude. There are so many memories packed into our time with you. You are loved, you are loved, you are missed.

To the Szymczak family: I just read in the Lewis University Alumni News, of Bruce passing. My thoughts and prayers are with his family, brothers, and parents. I remember spending the summers with the Szymczak family and Bruce teaching me to waterski. We spent many, many fun days on the boat and in the water. I hope my husband Joe Kaye (also a Lewis University graduate) was waiting up there in heaven for him. Joe passed July 16, 2008. I will never forget the fun at the Lake, taking summer school classes together, and Bruce giving me rides back home to Chicago while we were in college. May God bless him and his family.

Dear Bruce, We walked to the edge of the great Atlantic Ocean and cast our offering to the Dolphins to keep you, us, family safe and to take with them the great sorrow of our grief; and, in exchange I prayed that we would go forward as you, God, all would need us to. It was beautiful at Topsail tonight....the sunset beautiful and warm. Bruce, we miss you, I miss you. Peace as we go into 2010. I love you...Always and forever....Amy

Dear Bruce,
Jessi and I have continued to go through the days without you but have not been able to regain the same meaning in our lives without you physically here. We remind our selves of what you would want us to do and how you would expect us to continue to live full and well and we make valiant attempts to go in this direction. Some days we do better than others. Tomorrow is Christmas Day with the end of 2009 close behind. We put a special ornament on the tree for you and we're going to Topsail Island for New Years. We are working on having a special memorial built for you down at the beach at Serenity Point. We miss you Bruce, all the time.....all the time. Merry Christmas, with love always, Amy and Jessica 12/2009

Bruce, I love You and miss You.

In the middle of chemo therapy and at her lowest point of treatment my house guest was resting on the chase lounge out on the patio. She was hooked up to an IV and was peacefully listening to the sounds of summer.
Bruce was racing around mowing his back yard like the "road runner" would do with out the beep beep. He suddenly stopped mowing when he saw Ivona resting. He came over to me and profusely apologized for not noticing Ivona resting and said he would finish mowing later. I encouraged him to continue mowing as Ivona didn't mind hearing the sounds of life. She didn't mind hearing the motorcycle purring out of the subdivision, the boys playing basketball and the children's chatter. She welcomed it all. A little while later, Ivona, came into the house with the IV pole in one hand and a bouquet of lavender in the other. Bruce had hand picked a bouquet of lavender from his yard and gave it to her. No doubt in my mind that Bruce understood mortality that day. He made Ivona smile from her shiny head to her toes. He made her heart smile enormously. To this day there is a bouquet of lavender in Ivona's bathroom, reminding us of the sent of life and the kindness of a neighbor. Little did we know that it would be Bruce who would pass from death into eternal life so soon. Ivona received strength from Bruce that sweet day. "Strength" to continue to live aggressively like he did and would want all of us to continue to do.
"What If"...... Bruce did not pick the lavender for stranger that summer morning...........she would have not smiled so brightly that day.
Bruce brought smiles and laughter to so many.
Smiles and gratefulness for knowing Bruce.......

~ Karen and Mike Gormley, Neighbors

Amy,

You have been in my thoughts and prayers since I heard of your loss. May you find some sense of peace in the coming days and know that my heart goes out to you.

Amy & Jessi
My heart is breaking for you. I only met Bruce once - when he dropped off Jessi to go to DC - and was immediately drawn to his warmth & incredible love for Jessi as she left on her adventure. My heartfelt condolences for this incredible loss.
Judie Birchfield

Recently, Bruce took his girls to see the play Mary Poppins. I teased him immediately and thought, this rib-eating, Nascar-loving, motorcycle-riding man is going to see Mary Poppins??? And then he said, "I got seats 10 rows from the stage so I can see up Mary Poppins' dress". I said "that's the Bruce we know and love". But the truth is he loved his family very much and would do anything for them. He would do anything for anybody. He was one of the most good-humored, generous, fun-loving guys I've ever met. We will never forget him.

A friend and neighbor

Stephanie, Laura & Jessica - I'm sorry I couldn't be with you during this time. I knew your father for many, many years and the one thing I know is that he loved his girls. He brought joy and laughter to all and was loved by many; he will be missed, but will always be remembered in our hearts.

Szymczak family - my prayers and thoughts will be with you; we will see Bruce again...

BRUCE SHIRL AND I WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER YOU EVERY TIME WE SIT OR LOOK OUT THE WINDOW AT THE DECK YOU HELP BUILD AT OUR HOUSE. IT IS A LASTING TESTIMONIAL OF ALL THE GOOD TIMES WE'VE HAD TOGETHER OVER THE YEARS.YOU'LL ALWAYS BE IN OUR THOUGHTS.

My deepest condolences to all of you.
I have only know Bruce for about 2 years, but he lit up the office when he was there. Always a smile and a kind word each day. It will be hard not to see him on the phone or picking away on the computer. We had several conversations during the years and the one thing that stood out was how he loved his family.
Rest easy my friend. God bless you.

Mark, Alicen, Natalie and I went to Disneyworld this past June. We bought autograph books for the girls to get pictures and autographs of the Disney characters. One picture I took of the girls was in the mouth of the shark from "Finding Nemo". The shark's name was Bruce. And I put the picture in each of the girls autographs books next to an empty page for Bruce to sign. I regret not getting his autograph. I thought I had plenty of time to get it. I wonder what he would have written. We miss you Bruce.
We'll miss your root beer popsicles, the sound of your motorcycle and the life you brought to the block.

Szymczak Family,

Bruce was a gregacious person whose passion for life was contagious and just being around him made life more enjoyable. I golfed with him for many years at Carriage Greens early on Sunday mornings and it was a great time to hang out with Bruce, Jim Sylvester, Joey and Mark. Please know that he is in our prayers and may God bless him and Bruce bless us, Tom & Donna Sinnott and family.

My Sweet Amy,
I feel so helpless not being able to be with you during this time. Please know that I am praying for you and your family. I love you my dear friend!

Julie Jordan Chenault

My condolences to Amy and Bruce,s family he was a good friend who I had the pleasure of riding motorcycles with for many yrs,he was a great friend he will be in my prayers always.PS he was the only member who had his DAC Tat put on his leg,that was a fun day for all who were there,and hear his one of a kind humor, Bruce my friend you will be miss by me and many others that one thing I do know.

We would like to send our prayer's to Bruce's family in this time of loss. Bruce was a very special and caring person! He will be missed very much.

Frank Rome & Joyce Sunnafrank - Cambridge, Ohio

I am so sorry for your lose. May god take Bruce to his side and help you all in your time of mourning. My thoughts and prayers are with you always. Bruce will be missed deeply.

It is a privilege to have known Bruce, if only for a short time. Our deepest condolences to his family. Sincerely, Vicki and David DeRudder NFI

My deepest sympathies go out to the entire Szymczak Family. I work for Colgate and have been priveleged to know Bruce for the last 13 years. He was part of the Colgate family. Stephanie, Laura and Jessica, Please know that there was not a single visit to Atlanta where your dad was not telling us about you girls and how you were doing. He was very proud of all of you. He was a wonderful man and will be truly missed by many.

We have many fun memories of Bruce from our days at DSC Logistics. Since then, we've looked forward to seeing Bruce at industry conferences through the years. Bruce's smile and personality made everyone comfortable. Among his colleagues, he is respected and admired for his hard work, knowledge,and ability to motivate people. We will miss him. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family.

Laura and Family:

Larry and I are so sorry for the loss of your father and have you in our prayers and thoughts during this time of grief. Although we never had the opportunity to meet him, we felt he was such a wonderful and caring Dad during our visits with Laura. Keep him dear in your hearts and his memories will live forever. Sincerely and with love, Larry Romano and Bobbie Meganck

Amy,
Please know that my constant thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this sad time. Tonya L. Moore

Dale,

I am so sorry for the loss of your brother. I cannot even imagine what you are going through. You and the entire Szymczak family are in my thoughts and prayers. I hope that God can comfort you during this difficult time. Please let me know if you need anything. I love you like my own brother Dale, and it hurts me to know that you and your family are suffering. I know that Bruce was an amazing man. I didn't have the luxury of knowing him, but Kathy and the kids always spoke fondly of him. My heart goes out to all of you.

We love you,

Ceil, Ed, Jeffrey and Jenna Juracka

sorry to hear about your brother.

jim and joyce forbes

It's a sad day when you have to write in a guest book like this. Bruce was always there for you will a smile and a positive word. With a joke in there once in awhile. He could brighten your day with a few words. He will be missed.

Bruce,
You were always the gentle GIANT. Not only will I always remember you as the biggest guy in our group of friends, but you were certaintly the most loyal, honest and good hearted guy I ever met. Guy's like you go first. Save a place for the rest of us buddy.
Tony Vicario

My thoughts and prayers go out to the Szymczak family. Words can't explain the loss we all feel at this time. His personality would brighten your darkest day. I had the pleasure of working with Bruce for 11 years and will cherish the memories forever. Bruce was a dear friend and great business partner. My God be with his family and provide comfort in the days ahead.

Dear Stephanie, Laura, and Jessica; Your father was such a nice and wonderful man. I can't even believe he's gone. I can't imagine what your going through. Even though my siblings and I came into the family later, your father always made us feel like family. He always knew how to put a smile on our faces. He was always so full of life. i am proud to have considered him as my uncle and will miss him dearly. Love your cousin Caitlin Halloran

I like so many of Bruce's friends had the privelage of knowing him for the past 12 years or so. I enjoyed working with him when he was at General Whse in Bensenville. And even though we had since gone on to other jobs we would keep in touch from time to time. He always brought a smile to my face whenever I saw him because he was just full of life and always had a story to share. One of the many things that was so great about him was that you could always count on him to be there for you if ever needed and offer you a hug when you needed it the most. I did not know his family personally, but I knew how proud he was of his daughters and how much he loved them. It brings me great sadness that this world has lost such a wonderful human being who has gone way too soon and who just loved life so much. My deepest sympathy to the entire family. He will truly be missed. God bless.

My sympathy goes out to Bruces family. He was a wonderful boss and friend to us here at N.D.C in New Concord Oh. The wonderful thing about Bruce is that he can always turn a negitive to a positive. He will be missed around here.

Bruce became a part of the Jarrell family's vacation at Topsail beach NC many years ago. And each year we looked forward to seeing him and his family. Our prayers are with the Szymczak family at this. Bruce was a special man that loved life and his family.

Bruce was a great person who had a huge heart and out going personality. I had the opportunity to work for him many years and always respected him and his values. He knew how to treat people and always listen to their thoughts and ideas. You will be missed and in our prayers always. My sympathy goes out to your family. God Bless

Bruce was an inspirational man. I found his smile, and unfailing optimism remarkable. Though we haven't spoken in a few years, he is frequently in my thoughts. My deepest condolensces to his family.

Bruce was a good friend who always had a way of making all of us smile at New Concord. His laughter and sense of humor will be missed by all of us. It really was a pleasure working with and know him. My sympathy goes out to his family. He will be missed.

Bruce you have always been a great friend and business partner.We will try to keep Pirate Lodistics going in your name. Sandy and I enjoyed being in Vegas with you and Amy and I have enyoyed always going to Myrtle with you and our gang. May God take care of you and take you into his heart and make you rest in peace with him. We will miss you. Eddie and Sandy Vizzacchero (Eddie V)

Bruce became a part of my Family's Vacation. Every year we looked forward to seeing him and his Girl's. My heart and prayers are with his Family. It seems a little strange to be so sad about the loss of someone that you only saw once a year, but Bruce was special. He and his Family will forever be in my heart.
Nicki Boten, Don Chambers (Chapel Hill, NC)

Bruce became a part of my Family's Vacation. Every year we looked forward to seeing him and his Girl's. My heart and prayers are with his Family. It seems a little strange to be so sad about the loss of someone that you only saw once a year, but Bruce was special. He and his Family will forever be in my heart.

I would like to express my deepest condolences to the entire Szymczak family . I had the pleasure of knowing Bruce for 13 years and in those years Bruce never had a bad thing to say about anyone he always saw the positive in people. Not only was he my Boss he was a friend. He will be truly missed

I am very saddened by the passing of Bruce. He has been a friend as well as a very important part of our corporate personnel for many years. He will be greatly missed in New Concord, Ohio. I did not personally know his family but my thoughts and prayers are with them at this time. May he rest in pease.

Stephanie, Jackie & Kathy,
My heart goes out to all of you. You are continually in my thoughts and prayers. i'm here if you need anything. Nancy Miarecki

Dale,
I'm very sorry for your loss of your loving brother. You and your family are in my prayers continually. Please let me know if there is anything i can do for you. Nancy Miarecki

My heart is filled with sadness over the loss of such a powerful and vibrant personality. Bruce attacked life with such vigor that it is impossible for me to accept he is gone. He loved his wife, his girls, his family and friends with such passion. I treasure my memories of time spent together with him, Amy and the girls, and I feel thankful to have known him. He will be missed tremendously.

Our deepest sympathies for the Szymcak family. Bruce was a great neighbor and even better person. We feel priveledged to have gotten to know Bruce and his wonderful family. Bruce will be missed!
Mark, Ann, Alicen and Natalie Barowsky

My deepest sympathy goes out to the family of Bruce, and especially, to my co-workers, Stephanie Luther, Kathy & Dale Szymczak, and Jackie Nix, all of whom I work with and have been close with for many years. May God bless you all and keep you healthy and safe through this most grievous time of your lives. My heart goes out to you all.

My family and I would like to express our condolences to Bruce's entire family. I and my wife have both enjoyed the privilage of working for Bruce now and in the past, and would like to say Bruce was not only an exceptional boss but an exceptional person as well. I think that the greatest legacy Bruce left behind second only to his children was the fact that he was a wonderful human being, I've worked many jobs over the course of my lifetime and have many bosses over the years, but what singled Bruce out was the fact that he never looked down on his employees as beneath him. Bruce always treated everone with respect and an open mind. I for one will miss him greatly. Sincerely William Tucker and family.

JULY 23, 2009
ON BEHALF OF MY WIFE JOAN, I'M SADDENED TO HEAR ABOUT THE PASSING OF BRUCE, I HAD NOT SEEN HIM IN YEARS WE ATTENDED LEWIS UNIV TOGETHER IN THE 70'S, I USED HIS FAMILY'S FLORIST [ SHERWOOD ] FOR OUR FLOWERS IN 82 FOR OUR WEDDING, MY CONDOLENCES TO HIS FAMILY & TO ANITA

My heart goes out to all of you. I have many good memories of happy times spent with Amy & Bruce. He was a good man.
You are all in my thoughts and prayers.

I was deeply saddened by the loss that your entire family is experiencing Amy. My heart goes out to you all and you will be in our prayers.

Sandy Lynch

Bruce was a very dear friend of mine for 11 years.He was always the one to put a smile on my face everytime I saw him. His heart was as big as the moon. His love for his daughters was so genuine and pure.You was the worlds greatest father to them and a best friend to me. I will miss you every day that I have left on this earth.You have left me behind and I will always be grateful for the short amount of time I had with you on this earth. Today I grieve for my loss and your family's loss.

We are so saddened by the unexpected loss of Bruce. He was such a nice person and so fun to be around. He was a wonderful father and truly loved his girls. He will be missed by our entire family.

Katherine, Scott and Grace Clark

On behalf of my wife, Karen, and myself I want to express our sadness and prayers to Bruce's family and children. Bruce was our neighbor for the past five years in Woodridge. He took pride in his home, his landscape, and more importantly his family..
I had the pleasure of being Stephanie's and Laura's elementary school principlal at Fairview School.
Bruce was a very generous person and would give us his extra tomatoes during the summer. He definitely "made a difference" in many people's lives during his short stay on this earth.
Michael Gormley