Frank Lyga, “Fritz,” 79 of Main Road, passed away on Wednesday morning, June 11, 2008, in VanAllen Nursing Home, Little Falls.
He was born on April 6, 1929, in Herkimer, son of the late John and Mary Zawko Lyga. A lifelong Herkimer resident he was educated in West Canada Valley Central School. Frank spent much of his younger years working the family farm and in 1952 went to work for the Town of Herkimer Highway Department. For 18 years he was Town Highway Superintendent, retiring in 1972.
On Nov. 26, 1955, he was united in marriage with the former Beverly Smith in the First United Methodist Church Herkimer with the Reverend Fred Cotnam officiating.
Fritz was a man with a strong love for the outdoors and was a member of the East Herkimer Fish & Game Club. In his leisure time he enjoyed camping, hunting and fishing, especially deep sea fishing.
To those who knew him, they will always remember a strong willed man with a down to earth nature. Any conversation with him was frank and to the point but you always could feel a warmth and friendship whenever you were with him. He will be greatly missed.
      Surviving are his loving wife of fifty-two years Beverly, three sons and their wives, Frank J. and Lisa Lyga of CA., Kevin and Rhonda Lyga, Patrick and Sandy Lyga all of St. Johnsville, six grandchildren, Kristi Lyga of Troy, Jill Tulloch and her husband Joseph of Johnstown, Patrick and Chad Lyga of St. Johnsville, Jesse and Tristan Lyga of CA., four sisters, Catherine Brelinsky, Anne Czernecki, Marion and her husband Paul Grubner all of Herkimer, Sue and Peter Sjaardema of the Netherlands, two brothers and their wives, Joseph and Anne Lyga, George and Elaine Lyga all of Herkimer, a brother-in-law, James Freeman of NJ and sister-in-law, Ann Lyga of Utica, Many nieces, nephews and cousins. Besides his parents he was preceded in death by two sisters, Helen Brown and her husband Fred and Julia Freeman, two brothers, John Lyga and his wife Rose and Tony Lyga this past April 1, a brother-in-law Zenon Czernecki and a nephew, J.J. Czernecki.
Funeral service will be on Saturday at 10 a.m. in Fenner Funeral Home Inc., 115 Court St., Herkimer. The Rev. Paul Bailey, rector of the Christ Episcopal Church, Herkimer, will officiate. Interment will follow in Oak Hill Cemetery. The family will be present in the funeral home to receive relatives and friends on Friday (today) from 5 until 8 p.m.
The Evening Telegram, June 13, 2008