Obituary: Albert J. Rychlik, 87, Of Monroe

Albert Joseph Rychlik of Monroe, CT, born May 14, 1930 in Bridgeport, CT, the youngest and last surviving of seven children of Bronislaw Rychlik and Mary (Velesko) Rychlik, entered into eternal rest October 28, 2017. He was a native Bridgeport resident until he married his absolute love of his life and devoted wife of 54 years, Patricia (McNamara) Rychlik. Al and Pat had the great fortune of sharing a full life together and lived in NY, NJ, CT and Illinois before returning to Monroe in 1977.

A naturally driven and competitive personality, Al carried a great aptitude and love of learning, attained academic honors while attending Bassick High School and was a graduate of the University of Bridgeport and New York University, where he completed both bachelor and master degrees within 4 years, summa cum laude. "Big Al" was professionally recognized for his many accomplishments and was a loyal and dedicated employee of Manning, Maxwell & Moore / Dresser Industries for 43 years. He believed and instilled in others the importance of honesty, commitment, duty, the importance of education, always doing what is right, faith, and especially the importance of family. Al was proud of his Polish and Slovak heritage, and his immigrant parents were proud of the "Jack Armstrong, All American" award he received in high school, a testament to the attributes of being an American. He enjoyed music and was an avid lover of American history, a passion he shared with his wife who predeceased him on July 7, 2015 and whom he deeply mourned each day since her passing. He is survived by son Carl of Monroe, son Tom and his wife Daisy and their daughter Carolina of Naugatuck, CT, daughter Mary Brennan and her husband Dave and their son Luke of Larchmont, NY, and son Rob and his wife Ly of Milford, CT. He also leaves a sister-in-law Mary McNamara of Annapolis, MD, a sister-in-law Marilyn McNamara of Manchester, MO, a cousin-in-law Carol Tierney and her husband Frank of Shelton, CT and several nieces and nephews and friends throughout the US.

His passing has left a void in our lives which cannot be replaced. We will forever miss his humor, his contagious appetite for learning, and his vast repertoire of stories.

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Thursday, November 2 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Jude Catholic Church, 707 Monroe Turnpike in Monroe, CT. Visiting hours are 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, November 1 at the Spadaccino and Leo P. Gallagher Funeral Home, 315 Monroe Turnpike, Monroe, CT. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.spadaccinofuneralhome.com.

Obituary and Image via the Spadaccino and Leo P. Gallagher & Funeral Home.