Joseph A. Dyka

Mr. Joseph Anthony Dyka, 91, of 3 Second St. Adams, died peacefully on Saturday afternoon, September 17, 2011, at his home. He was born in Adams on October 4, 1919, a son of the late Joachim and Anna (Cyrulik) Dyka. He attended Adams schools, and graduated from the former Adams High School in 1937. He also attended the former North Adams State College. Mr. Dyka worked at General Electric Co. in Pittsfield, retiring in 1981 as a senior drafting designer after 36 years of service, during which time he had received a patent for one of his designs. He was a Veteran of World War II, entering the US Army with Company M, 104th Infantry on January 16, 1941, a unit which he later commanded. He received his commission as a second lieutenant at Aberdeen Proving Ground, where he specialized in ordnance systems and Army equipment. He then served in the Adjutant General department of Headquarters Company, 4th Army, and in various units of the 1st and 3rd Armies. He arrived in the European Theater in 1943, and was one of the first officers trained in disposal of German bombs. He participated in five major campaigns, including the invasion of Normandy, where he landed on Utah Beach, and fought in Northern France, Ardennes, Central Europe and Rhineland. He was awarded 5 Battle Stars and The Croix de Guerre from the French government for his participation in the Normandy Invasion. He was Honorably Discharged as a Captain on Jan. 22, 1946. He then served with the National Guard and Army Reserve, ultimately retiring as a Major. Mr. Dyka was a communicant of St. Mary of the Assumption Church, Cheshire, and had been a communicant of St. Stanislaus Kostka Church, Adams. He was a member of the St. Stanislaus Kostka Society, Burnette-Bednarz Post 1995 Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Retired Veterans of the 104th Infantry, and Adams Post 160 American Legion, where he commanded their Honor Guard's Firing Squad for many years. He was also a member of the Trout Unlimited, the General Electric Quarter Century and Pensioner's clubs and the GEAA. In his younger years, he was active with the Boy Scouts of America, as a member of Adams Troop 3 and, later, the Northern Berkshire Scouting Committee. He had a strong love of the outdoors, and enjoyed hiking, fishing, hunting and skiing. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, the former Daisy Czarnik, whom he married on September 11, 1947; a son, Paul Dyka, and his companion, Ellen Downes, of Middletown, CT; a daughter, Mary Ann Diedrich and her husband, Rob, of Billings, Montana; 3 grandchildren, Leslie, Sara and Jack Diedrich; a sister, Josephine Beauchemin of Adams; and several nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. He was predeceased by a brother, Chester Dyka, and by 3 sisters, Sophie Gancarz, Monica Kalisz and Genevieve Dyka. The funeral will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 21st, at 8:45 AM from the PACIOREK FUNERAL HOME, 13 Hoosac St. Adams, followed by a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 10:00 AM in St. Mary of the Assumption Church, Cheshire, celebrated by Rev. David R. Raymond, Pastor. Burial will follow in St. Stanislaus Kostka Cemetery, Adams. Calling hours are Tuesday from 4 to 7 PM at the funeral home. Memorial Donations may be made to VNA & Hospice of Northern Berkshire or to Adams Post 160 American Legion Honor Guard through the funeral home.

Joseph A. Dyka

October 4, 1919 - September 17, 2011