Alfonse John Myrdek

Alfonse “Al” Myrdek, 91, of Camillus, passed away Sunday, July 17, 2011 at University Hospital at Community General. Born in Utica on Saturday, October 25, 1919, he moved with his family to the Village of Camillus in the early '20s. Both of his parents, Stanley and Marcella Wawczaszek Myrdek, worked the next 40-plus years at the Camillus Cutlery Co. Al, a product of Camillus High School and International Correspondence School, had a diversified working experience starting out as an apprentice tool and die maker, advancing to tool technician, methods engineer and sales manager. He retired in 1980 as vice president of manufacturing with Magnavox CATV, later known as Philips Broadband Networks. Al served two terms as trustee and four terms as mayor of the Village of Camillus. He chose not to run for a fifth term, as he always said and believed, “No one should stay on forever. We need different ideas as well as people just to keep up with the times.” Al enjoyed woodworking and took pride in building his own home. An avid bowler, he spent time as a pin boy in the village and also enjoyed, Lionel trains, boating and fishing on the St. Lawrence River, picnics at Fair Haven, traveling to see his family in Texas and dancing. He was an honorary member of the Camillus Fire Department. Al was predeceased by his sister, Anna Pulaski; and son-in-law, Jesse Dwire III. Surviving are his wife of 70 years, the former Helen Rybak; daughters and son-in-law, Diane Dwire of Camillus and Bonnie and Dennis Green of Austin, Texas; brother, Ralph Myrdek of Marcellus; grandsons, Jesse (Paula) Dwire IV of Massachusetts, Matthew and Nathan Kuhles of Texas; great-grandchildren, Addison and Jesse V “Jack” Dwire; and several nieces and nephews. Relatives and friends may call Tuesday, July 19 from 4 to 7 p.m. at Buranich Funeral Home, 5431 W. Genesee St., Camillus. Services will be Wednesday, July 20 at 10 a.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Al’s memory to the American Diabetes Assn., 6390 Fly Rd., East Syracuse, NY 13057.