In Memory of
Andrew
Sedlak
Sedlak
1923 - 2019
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Carmen F. Spezzi Funeral Home
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Obituary for Andrew Sedlak
“Andy” Sedlak, 95, (1923-2019) of Brentwood, Tenn., formerly of Parlin, NJ, passed away Friday, February 22, at Somerfield Health Center, The Heritage at Brentwood, TN.
He was born in 1923 in Bayonne, NJ, grew up in Woodbridge, and graduated from Woodbridge High School in 1942. He served in the Army Air Corps, where he trained as a fighter pilot and bombardier, and worked as a gunnery instructor. He married his childhood sweetheart, Helen Schmidt, while home on a furlough in 1945. Upon his return to the Army after the wedding, he was given an honorable discharge because the war in Japan had ended. Andy and Helen moved to the home they built in Parlin, Sayreville, NJ, in 1951 and raised five children. Andy worked shifts for years at the Chevron oil refinery in Perth Amboy, where he became a head operator on the various units. Later, he moved to an office position as data processor. He retired in 1983. In 1996, Andy and Helen moved to Nashville. Andy moved to the Heritage community in 2008. He became disabled with progressive autoimmune neuropathy and lived in the Somerfield Health Center there for the last decade of his life.
A man of many talents, he knew carpentry, plumbing, masonry, heating system design and maintenance, and auto mechanics. Known for his kind and caring nature, he was always looking for ways to be helpful to others. He was a Boy Scout leader for several years, a volunteer fireman in Parlin, and active in his church in New Jersey. He kept all the family’s autos working and helped friends with their construction projects and repair issues. When Andy became disabled, he continued to be helpful at Somerfield, advocating for other residents. He said he might not be physically capable any longer but he had eyes and a voice and could speak up for those who couldn’t speak for themselves. From his wheelchair, he remained an active participant in resident life, including Wii bowling, the glee club, bingo, trivial pursuit, and continued to send everyone holiday and birthday cards he hand crafted on his computer. He was a man of faith, devoted to Bible study, and a faithful churchgoer. He is deeply loved by the many whose lives he touched.
Andy was preceded in death by Helen, his wife of 61 years, and his daughter Linda (“Lenni”) Sedlak Engelhardt. He is survived by four children, Andrea Sedlak (Mark Seaver), Richard Sedlak (Roberta Kincaid Sedlak), Donna Hummell, and Alena Lynch (Kevin Lynch) and eight grandchildren: Cheryl Sedlak Seaver, Liz Sedlak, Rebecca Sedlak, Hannah Sedlak, Rachel Tulipan, Hunter Tulipan, Katey Lynch, and Michael Lynch.
Viewing will be held Friday March 1 from 2pm to 4pm and 7pm to 9pm and 9am to 10:30am on Saturday at the Carmen F. Spezzi Funeral Home 15 Cherry Lane Parlin. Funeral services will be Saturday 11am at the funeral home, followed by final interment next to his beloved wife Helen in Cloverleaf Memorial Park in Woodbridge.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in Andy’s name be made to The Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy or the Alzheimer’s Association.
Additional information can be found at www.spezzifuneralhome.com
He was born in 1923 in Bayonne, NJ, grew up in Woodbridge, and graduated from Woodbridge High School in 1942. He served in the Army Air Corps, where he trained as a fighter pilot and bombardier, and worked as a gunnery instructor. He married his childhood sweetheart, Helen Schmidt, while home on a furlough in 1945. Upon his return to the Army after the wedding, he was given an honorable discharge because the war in Japan had ended. Andy and Helen moved to the home they built in Parlin, Sayreville, NJ, in 1951 and raised five children. Andy worked shifts for years at the Chevron oil refinery in Perth Amboy, where he became a head operator on the various units. Later, he moved to an office position as data processor. He retired in 1983. In 1996, Andy and Helen moved to Nashville. Andy moved to the Heritage community in 2008. He became disabled with progressive autoimmune neuropathy and lived in the Somerfield Health Center there for the last decade of his life.
A man of many talents, he knew carpentry, plumbing, masonry, heating system design and maintenance, and auto mechanics. Known for his kind and caring nature, he was always looking for ways to be helpful to others. He was a Boy Scout leader for several years, a volunteer fireman in Parlin, and active in his church in New Jersey. He kept all the family’s autos working and helped friends with their construction projects and repair issues. When Andy became disabled, he continued to be helpful at Somerfield, advocating for other residents. He said he might not be physically capable any longer but he had eyes and a voice and could speak up for those who couldn’t speak for themselves. From his wheelchair, he remained an active participant in resident life, including Wii bowling, the glee club, bingo, trivial pursuit, and continued to send everyone holiday and birthday cards he hand crafted on his computer. He was a man of faith, devoted to Bible study, and a faithful churchgoer. He is deeply loved by the many whose lives he touched.
Andy was preceded in death by Helen, his wife of 61 years, and his daughter Linda (“Lenni”) Sedlak Engelhardt. He is survived by four children, Andrea Sedlak (Mark Seaver), Richard Sedlak (Roberta Kincaid Sedlak), Donna Hummell, and Alena Lynch (Kevin Lynch) and eight grandchildren: Cheryl Sedlak Seaver, Liz Sedlak, Rebecca Sedlak, Hannah Sedlak, Rachel Tulipan, Hunter Tulipan, Katey Lynch, and Michael Lynch.
Viewing will be held Friday March 1 from 2pm to 4pm and 7pm to 9pm and 9am to 10:30am on Saturday at the Carmen F. Spezzi Funeral Home 15 Cherry Lane Parlin. Funeral services will be Saturday 11am at the funeral home, followed by final interment next to his beloved wife Helen in Cloverleaf Memorial Park in Woodbridge.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in Andy’s name be made to The Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy or the Alzheimer’s Association.
Additional information can be found at www.spezzifuneralhome.com