Roger Pytko, Sr.

OXFORD - Roger G. Pytko, Sr., 87, of Fort Myers, FL, and formerly of Oxford, died Sunday, August 5, 2012, in Florida. He was predeceased by his wife of 60 years, Phyllis G. (Flagg) Pytko, who died in 2006. He is survived by three children, Richard F. Pytko and his wife Deborah of Edgartown, Ronald J. Pytko and his wife Laurie of Oxford, and Cathy Lindy of Plymouth and Marco Island, FL; a brother, Colonel A.R. Pytko and his wife Carol of Oxford; three sisters, Jane Lipski of Southbridge, Janet Saad and her husband Franklin of Oxford, and Anne Stoesz and her husband Leroy of Santa Fe, NM; nine grandchildren, Roger III, Michele, Ross, Joshua, Jacob, Jeremy, Randy, Laurel, and Ronald; two great grandchildren, Zachary and Alyssa; and many nephews and nieces. He was predeceased by two sons, Roger "Chipper" Pytko and Randy Pytko; two brothers, Paul Pytko and Donald Pytko; and a sister, Jean Tessier. He was born in Webster, the son of the late George A. and Inez (Bedard) Pytko, and lived most of his life in Oxford before moving to Fort Lauderdale and Fort Myers, FL, many years ago. He graduated from Oxford High School, where he played basketball and baseball. He was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran of World War II, where he participated in the South Pacific Campaign. Mr. Pytko owned and operated Pytko Construction in Oxford for many years. He was proud of his accomplishments building dams, roads, and the Oxford Airport. He concluded his construction career working as an inspector on the new Miami-Dade Metro System, where he retired in 1994. Mr. Pytko was a pilot and enjoyed flying his own airplanes and his helicopter. He enjoyed fishing, catching lobster, clamming, and spending time at the ocean. He was an avid Red Sox fan and Miami Heat fan. A memorial Mass will be held at 10 a.m. on Monday, August 27, 2012, at St. Roch's Church, 332 Main St., Oxford. Burial with military honors will follow at St. Roch's Cemetery, Oxford. Paradis Funeral Home, 357 Main St., Oxford, is directing the arrangements.