ROCKPORT — William E. Sydlowski, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, Nov. 14, 2014.
William “Syd” Sydlowski was pre-deceased by his parents William P. and Margaret F. and sister Jeanette. William is survived by his devoted wife Paula of Rockport and their seven children Mark of Amesbury; Matthew, Gloucester; Peter, Amesbury; Paul, Danvers; Meg, Danvers; Martha, Wakefield and Mary Beth, Merrimac. Also, 16 grandchildren: Mollie, 23; Meaghan, 21; Morgan, 20; Kristen, 18; twins William and John, 14; Kevin, 11, and Michael, 10; Katie, 20, Meaghan, 18, Liam, 12; Andrew, 17; twins Ashley and Alexandra, 13; Luc, 11, and Sydney, 9, and eight adored animals: Murphy, Winston, Bart, Stella, Ichiro, Sarah, Rocky and Socks.
Syd was born and raised in South Providence, R.I. on “The Hill.” He went to high school at LaSalle Academy in Providence where he played all sports, most importantly basketball. He attended Stonehill College in Easton and enrolled as a Marine ROTC student. He was captain and MVP of their championship basketball team and was later inducted into Stonehill basketball Hall of Fame. After Stonehill, he was stationed in Nuremburg, Germany with the Army during the Korean War. He later continued his education focusing on art and graduated from Rhode Island School of Design with a degree in industrial design and a minor in ceramics.
He was a member of the “Pawtucket Hobos” Providence’s semi-professional basketball team. Syd coached Wakefield Youth Basketball and was always involved in coaching on the bench or from the sideline for all of his seven children who all graduated from college. Syd practiced industrial design in Boston for many years before operating his own design business out of Wakefield, William Sydlowski & Associates for 30 years. He was also active in teaching for 22 years by instructing at Massachusetts College of Art and Design. He retired in Rockport with his wife Paula and enjoyed what he liked to do most: Spending time with family, gardening, watching sports on TV and Bass Rocks Golf Club.
His memorial Mass will be celebrated in Our Lady of Good Voyage Church, 142 Prospect St., Gloucester on Wednesday, Nov. 19 at 9:30 a.m. Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend.
Visiting hours in the Greely Funeral Home, 212 Washington St., Gloucester will be held on Tuesday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m.
Online condolences may be given at www.greelyfuneralhome.com.
