[Szyszko pix here] ... [Swift card here]

Edward D. Szyszko, Sr.


(March 22, 1928 - April 4, 1994)

Edward D. Szyszko, Sr., 66, founder of Swift Mailing Services who devoted his life to preserving rich Polish traditions, died Monday, April 4th at his home in Northeast Philadelphia.

Born of immigrant parents, Blazy and Justyna (Krzanowska) Szyszko, Mr. Szyszko attended St. Laurentius parochial school. After graduating from Northeast Catholic High School, Mr. Szyszko enlisted in the U.S. Navy and was stationed on the Island of Oahu, Hawaiian Islands. Mr. Szyszko's career began in 1943 with the U.S. Postal Service where he retired after forty years of service as Manager of the Somerton Station in Philadelphia. In 1975, Mr. Szyszko founded Swift Mailing Services, a direct mail lettershop service located in Bensalem, Pennsylvania. Mr. Szyszko's five sons currently run the business.

Mr. Szyszko's involvement in many organizations reflects his varied interests and his strong devotion to his ethnic background. Mr. Szyszko served as Vice President and President of the Polish Heritage Society of Philadelphia from 1984 to 1992. It was during his reign as President that the Polish Heritage Society of Philadelphia celebrated its 25th Anniversary. It was also at that time that a plaque was unveiled at Holy Family College in memory of Sister Florence Tumasz, one of the founders of the Polish Heritage Society. The Society cultivated Polish arts through its annual Chopin Concert, Adam Styka Art Exhibit, Polonaise Ball, Poetry Recitals and more. Mr. Szyszko was honored as the Polish Heritage Society's Distinguished Man of the Year in November of 1992.

Prior to that Mr. Szyszko held offices with other affiliations which include: Chairman, Polish American Club of Philadelphia; President, Holy Name Society of Saint Laurentius Parish; President, Archbishop Ryan High School Father's Association. Mr. Szyszko was also a Donor member of the Koschiuszko Foundation and a member of the Horticultural Society of Philadelphia. Mr. Szyszko was very active as a volunteer during the Polish Festival held each year at the Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa in Doylestown, Pennsylvania.

Mr. Szyszko's love and pride of being Polish inspired him to found "Sto Lat" Creations, in which custom registered trademark designs adorn novelty items ranging from watches to sweatshirts. Although hard-working by nature, Mr. Szyszko was also a very relaxed family-oriented man. He enjoyed many summer weekends with his family in Avalon, New Jersey and fall/winter weekends in the Mountains. "He has a heart that genuinely feels for others," said his son John. "He was very generous -- willing to do anything for anybody at any time."

Mr. Szyszko is survived by his wife, Jane Edzwald, his five sons, Edward Jr., Allen, Paul, John and Walter, and his eight grandchildren, Jessica, Tara, Allen, Apryl, Blaze, Ethan, Carly and Victoria.

Services: viewing, 7 p.m. Friday, Thomaszewski Funeral Home, 2728 East Allegheny Ave., Philadelphia; Mass of Christian Burial, 10 a.m. Saturday, Our Lady of Calvary R.C. Church, Knights Road, Philadelphia; burial, Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Cheltenham Ave., Philadelphia.

From: Obituary 1994

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