Chester Sych

July 8, 1931 - June 20, 2021

Chester Thomas Sych, 89, of Traverse City, passed away peacefully from congestive heart failure on Sunday, June 20, 2021, surrounded by his children at his home on Old Mission Peninsula. Chester was born on July 8, 1931, in Detroit, MI, to the late Chester Jacob and Irene Catherine (Zagacki) Sych. He graduated from St. Stanislaus High School in 1950 and served honorably in the United States Navy from 1951 to 1954 during the Korean War. Chester married his high school sweetheart, Mary Ann Judith Olejniczak, on November 6, 1954 at St. Louis the King Catholic Church. Chester and Mary Ann raised their family of five children in Clawson, MI and later in Rochester Hills, MI. Chester earned his BBA degree from Detroit Institute of Technology in 1963. He worked as a build manager for new vehicle prototypes and was employed at General Motors for 35 years from 1956 to 1991. After retirement and moving to Old Mission Peninsula in 1997, Chester dedicated his time to his faith community in many ways, including the St. Joseph Catholic Church choir and Father Fred Foundation. Chester is survived by sons Lawrence (Susan) Sych, Thomas (Doreen) Sych, Terence (Constance) Sych, John (Heidi) Sych; and daughter Katherine (Levent) Tugrul; grandchildren, Maria Sych, Benjamin Sych, Hannah (Jeffrey) Kirkman, Kenan Tugrul, Conor Sych, and Jordan Tugrul; nieces and nephews, Kenneth (Mary) Scislowicz, Francis (Nancy) Scislowicz, Judy Zettle and Susan (Paul) Conger. Chester was preceded in death by his parents; step-father Robert Hudson; wife of 65 years, Mary Ann, sister Barbara Kent and nephew Stanley Scislowicz. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place Friday, June 25, 11 a.m., at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 12675 Center Road, Traverse City, MI 49686 (www.stjosephtc.org). Visitation will take place one hour prior to Mass, as well as from 5 to 7 p.m., Thursday, June 24, at Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home in Traverse City. The holy rosary will be prayed at 6:30 p.m. Chester will be laid to rest in St. Joseph Catholic Church Cemetery following Mass. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to a Catholic charity of one’s choosing. Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home and Cremation Services. See www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com.