Oakfield - Anthony Mudrzynski, 90, passed away on Wednesday, October 30, 2024 at United Memorial Medical Center.
He was born on February 13, 1934, in Oakfield, a son of the late Anthony and Mary Horzempa Mudrzynski.
Tony was a devout family man. He looked after his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. He seemed to always know what they needed and was the first one in line to take care of it. From Christmas presents, to transportation, to advice, and times the strong dose of reality. He was never afraid to tell the truth. Tony always came to every family party and celebration, and treated everyone to something special on the holidays. He would never come empty-handed and will always be remembered for his many homemade pies and fruit with a little Jell-O in it.
Tony was deeply involved in his local fire department. He joined the Town of Alabama Fire Department in February 1952, only five years after the original department started. He was a role model and leader in the department, serving in every single capacity of the department except secretary and chief during his 72.5 year reign. It was very rare throughout this time that he would ever miss any fundraiser, work detail, or bingo night.
Tony helped build the recreation hall in 1967 and he helped reconstruct the recreation hall in 2012. In 2017 he was on the roof putting down shingles. Less than eight weeks ago he was taking down chairs and setting up the hall for bingo, just as he did every single week. To top it all off this year, Tony was selected to be firefighter of the year. This award was given to his family last week at the annual installation banquet.
In addition to the fire department, Tony was very involved in his town leadership serving for 22 years as town supervisor and actively participated on several councils and boards.
He is predeceased by his wife Helen E. Peters Mudrzynski who passed away on June 12, 2007.
He is survived by his son, Clayton (Diane) Fry of Alabama; daughter, Patricia (Ronald) Thompson of Basom; grandchildren, Melissa (Tim) Lindke of Gasport, Terry (Wendy) Thompson of Basom, Todd (Alison) Thompson of Oakfield and Tonya (J.P.) Phillips of Pensacola, Florida; great-grandchildren, Noelle (Kyle) Bowser, Elisabeth Lindke, Rachel (Brandon) Valerio, Ryan (Ashley) Thompson, Tucker (Susanna) Allen, Kristopher (Bethany) Thompson, Brad (Claudia) Thompson, Becky (Danny) Avila, Kasey (Fiancé Jerrod Smigelski) Thompson, Leah (Fiancé Casey Arnold) Thompson, Bryce Thompson, Arielle (Casey) McVay, Justin (Anais Sanchez) Smith and Mark (Brianna) Smith; great-great-grandchildren, Amelia and Evelyn Allen, Linken Thompson, Kori and Kinzi Smigelski, Ellie Arnold, MayBelle Smith and Bentley Smith; his brother, Henry (Janet) Mudrzynski of Oakfield along with several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.
He is the father of the late Harold Fry; grandfather of the late Dana Fry and brother of the late Josephine Mudrzynski, Amelia Koziol Brown, Bernice Marble, Helen Bauer and Walter Mudrzynski.
Friends and family may call on Friday from 4 pm to 7 pm at the Burdett & Sanford Funeral Home, 11 Maple Avenue, Oakfield. Members of the Alabama Fire Department will gather at 6:30 pm on Friday at the funeral home to honor Tony for his exemplary service to the fire department. His Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday at 11 am at St. Padre Pio Parish-St. Cecilia’s Worship Site, 56 Maple Avenue, Oakfield. He will be laid to rest in St. Cecilia’s Cemetery. Please consider memorials to the Alabama Fire Department, P.O. Box 798, Basom, New York 14013 or to St. Padre Pio Parish, 56 Maple Avenue, Oakfield, New York 14125. To leave a condolence, share a story or light a candle in his memory, please visit www.burdettandsanford.com.
