Arthur R. Sypek Sr., 85, died Tuesday, April 23, at Capital Health System at Fuld hospital, Trenton.
Born in Trenton, he lived in Lawrence 46 years.
Mr. Sypek was the first elected Mercer County executive, serving from 1975 to 1979. He was a Mercer County freeholder 16 years and the first manager of the Trenton Housing Authority.
A graduate of Trenton Central High School and Rider College, he completed post-graduate work at Temple University, Philadelphia.
He was an Army veteran of World War II, serving in the European Theater of Operations, and received the Purple Heart and five bronze stars for valor.
He was a former assistant comptroller for Lenox Inc., former partner of Sypek & Sanford Real Estate and Insurance Agency, former president and chairman of the board of Mercer Federal Savings, former president of the New Jersey Association of Counties and former chairman of the Lawrence Township Zoning Board. He was a past grand knight of St. Hedwig Council 7244 and fourth degree member of Bishop Griffin Assembly Knights of Columbus and former president of the Polish American Congress, Trenton chapter.
Mr. Sypek was a member of the Trenton Musician’s Union Local 62, Trenton Polish American Democratic Club, Catholic War Veterans Post 417, North Trenton American Legion Post 458, Lawrence Post 3022 Veterans of Foreign Wars, Knights of Columbus Rosary Group, Disabled American Veterans Chapter 41, Polish Falcons Nest 59 and Lawrence Township Senior Citizens Club 2.
He was the organizer and longtime organist of St. Hedwig Men’s Choir.
Son of the late John and Mary Czajkowski Sypek, he is survived by his wife, Sophie Dembinski Sypek; a son and daughter-in-law, Arthur R. Jr. and Judge Maria Sypek of Ewing; and two granddaughters, Lauren Sypek of Washington, D.C., and Abigail Sypek of Ewing.
Arrangements were by Poulson & Van Hise Funeral Directors, 650 Lawrence Road.
Burial will be in the parish cemetery of St. Hedwig R.C. Church in Ewing.
Memorial contributions may be made to Anchor House, 482 Centre St., Trenton, NJ 08611; or the American Heart Association, 2550 Route 1, North Brunswick, NJ 08902.
