John Nicholas Pyatak, 83, of Severna Park MD, formerly of Syracuse NY, died suddenly on Wednesday April 6, 2016 in Annapolis surrounded by family, during a lengthy courageous battle with heart and kidney disease. A loving, kind and gentle man, he was born on Tipperary Hill on September 28, 1932, the son of John Andrew and Suzanna (Fedorjak) Pyatak, who were first generation immigrants from Austria-Hungary. He served with the National Guard and following graduation from Blodgett Vocational High School, enlisted in the United States Navy, where he proudly served with Patrol Squadron 8 as an aviation and radio specialist. He was the recipient of the Naval Defense Service Medal and the Naval Good Conduct Medal. He was honorably discharged from the United States Navy in 1955.

On June 4, 1955 John married Kathleen Marie Timmons in St. Lucy's Church, and they were blessed with over 60 years of marriage together. He received both his Bachelor of Science degree in Bacteriology and Master of Science degree in Science Education from Syracuse University.
He was employed for many years as a Human Factors Specialist at General Electric in Syracuse, and retired in 1994 as a Senior Engineer focusing on the AWACS system at Westinghouse in Maryland. His multiple avocations included reading, gardening, bird watching, classical music, cooking and travel. He especially enjoyed his Navy Squadron reunions as a member of the VP-8 Alumni Association. An honorary lifetime member of Bishop Curley Council 3717 of the Knights of Columbus in North Syracuse, he was a former officer and a member of the Fourth Degree. He instilled a high sense of discipline, responsibility, moral fiber and a love of education in his children and grandchildren, to whom he was forever devoted.

John was deeply loved and respected by all who knew him, and will be greatly missed by many. He is survived by his wife, Kay, and his three daughters: Dr. Kathleen Michele Pyatak-Hugar of Louisville KY, Elaine Therese (Timothy) Wright of Liverpool NY, and Patricia Suzanne (David) Fletcher of Potomac MD. He was the very proud grandfather of Ashley Brooke Wright and Bryan Nicholas Fletcher, and the doting caregiver of the late MaxCat. He was preceded in death by his sisters, Dorothy (Gordon) Johnson in 2008 and Mary Patricia "Pat" (William) Garn in 2009, and is survived by his sister, Margaret (the late Walter) Ranz of Liverpool NY, as well as many loving nieces and nephews.

No formal services will be held at this time. A memorial service is planned for the summer in Syracuse for family and friends. An inurnment ceremony will be held at Arlington National Cemetery on October 4, 2016 at 10am.

Contributions in the memory of John Nicholas Pyatak to the IDF/Independent Dialysis Foundation (804 Landmark Drive, Suite 112, Glen Burnie MD 21061), the National Kidney Foundation, or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital would be appreciated.