James Szymoniak, Jr., 64, of Prospect, passed away Sunday, December 3, 2023.
Born May 13, 1959 in Sewickley, Allegheny County; he was the son of Dianne Lee Prasek Szymoniak Opsatnik and the late James Szymoniak, Sr.
Jim was a 1977 graduate of Ambridge Area High School. After graduation he joined the US Air Force, and then proudly served from 1979 to 1989.
He retired in 2020 from PepsiCo, where he worked his own route driving, selling, and delivering to his customers.
He was a faithful member of The Presbyterian Church of Prospect. He utilized his gift of humor as a head usher and greeter, making a lasting impression on most. As a prior youth group leader, he connected with the youth in a lot of different ways; teaching life lessons and using biblical scripture and mentoring youth in the outdoors in hunting and fishing. He also enjoyed the Men’s Breakfast and completing miscellaneous handyman jobs around the Church.
Jim enjoyed living in Prospect, his small town where he enjoyed his neighbors, trips to the post office and store to chat with everyone. He was kind, caring, and used his spiritual gift to share the gospel with people he knew or didn’t know.
He was a member of the Prospect Area Preservation Society where he volunteered in many aspects such as preserving the building projects, the annual Rubes Run, and other fundraisers.
He was an avid Pittsburgh Penguins’ Fan, and enjoyed hunting, fishing, watching and feeding wildlife, and most of all he loved his wife, daughters, and babysitting his grandkids.
He is survived by his wife Dawn Harmon Szymoniak, who he married September 22, 2001; his children Heather (Andrew) Fabry of North Jackson, OH, Rachael (Steve) Shirey of Beaver, PA; his mother Dianne Lee Opsatnik of Beaver County; twin grandchildren Clint and Olivia Fabry; step mother Lynda Szymoniak of Mercer; siblings Jodi Kloos, Michelle (Ryan) Keezmer, Dan (Beckie) Opsatnik; nieces and nephew Megan Defazio, Krysten Opsatnik, and Daniel Opsatnik; Mother in law Mary Lou Harmon of Prospect; brother in law James W. (Nancy) Harmon, Jr.; nephews and niece Corey, Caleb, and Cassie.
In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by his Father in law James W. Harmon, Sr.
Visitation will be on Thursday, December 7, 2023 from 6pm to 8pm at the Raisley Funeral Home and Cremation Services, pc., 387 Main Street, Prospect.
Additional visitation will be on Friday, December 8, 2023 from 10am until 11am at The Presbyterian Church of Prospect, 115 Church Street, Prospect, where the Funeral Service will be at 11am, with Rev. Jason Sinagra, his church pastor, and Rev. Larry Maley will co-officiate. At the conclusion of the service, military honors will be held inside the church.
Interment will follow at Greenlawn Burial Estates, Butler.
Memorial contributions may be made to TPCP Church, 115 Church Street, Prospect, PA 16052, The Prospect Area Preservation Society, PO Box 586, Prospect, PA 16052, or Focus On Family at www.donate.focusonfamily.com
To leave an online tribute, visit www.raisleyfuneralhome.com
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