Michael R Hryb
Clayville

Michael R Hryb, 69, of Clayville, passed away on August 5th 2016, with his family by his side, after a long and courageous battle with cancer.

He was born in Utica on May 14th, 1947, the son of the late Peter and Tina Hryb. He was a 1965 graduate of Sauquoit Valley Central School.

After graduation Mike was employed by the Village of Clayville Highway Department. In 1975 Mike became employed by the Town of Paris Highway Department and in 1985 Mike became Deputy Highway Superintendent under his good friend John “Woody” Wood, for the next 23 years. After Woody’s retirement in the summer of 2008, Mike achieved one of his lifetime goals and became Town of Paris Highway Superintendent until retirement in September of 2010.

Mike was a proud and dedicated 51 year member of the Clayville Fire Department, joining in May of 1965. Mike served as an Assistant Chief for several years, before becoming Fire Chief in 1975, serving the next 20 years in this position. Mike also served as an Emergency Medical Tech for several years and was one of the founders of the Clayville Fire Department Ambulance Service in 1972. At the time of his passing, he was currently serving the department as Safety Officer and passed his love and knowledge of interior firefighting down to our current generation of firefighters. During his battle with cancer, he would say the best he felt was on a fire scene.

Mike was a lifelong resident of the Village of Clayville. Clayville was a place Mike loved. He was a Village Trustee from 1996 until his passing. He also served as Deputy Mayor and oversaw the Village Highway Department.

Mike was well known for his passion of dirt modified and NASCAR racing. Mike himself raced in the early 1970’s at Utica Rome Speedway in the charger division and later helped crews and sponsor several race teams and drivers including, Maynard Forrette, Skip Cadwell and Kevin Crave. Mike’s happiest times were spent traveling to the races especially to Fonda Speedway with his cousin, the late Robert Hryb, and dear friend the late David “Fireball” Roberts.

Some of Mike’s joys in life were his love of Ford racing and cars, spending time with his English Bulldogs, checking the roads in the winter and traveling to Las Vegas. He was an avid reader. Above all else he took great pride in being a grandfather. Mike was honored that his grandson, Michael, was named after him and overjoyed that his “little fireman” shared a love of fire trucks and turnout gear. He enjoyed spending time with his granddaughter, Samantha, who he referred to as his “little angel.”

Mike is survived by his sons and daughters in law Christopher and Courtney Kraeger Hryb and Stephen and Amy DeMarchi Hryb, all of Clayville, his cherished grandchildren Michael Gary and Samantha Jane, his brothers Thomas Hryb and Peter (Bonnie) Hryb, nephews Paul (Christiana) and Matt (Elena) Hryb, niece Bailey and great niece Olivia; also, his dear friends Wayne and Judy Inglis, and Stanley Coffin. Mike loved Wayne Jr and Joe Inglis as if they were his own sons. He considered the members of the Clayville Fire Department and the crew and employees of the Town of Paris Highway Department as his family. He was predeceased by his sister in law Carol Hryb.

A special thank you to Joe Inglis, Chris Madore, Scott Barron and Sue Force, as well as the staff at Herkimer Bassett Cancer Center, for their constant care and compassion.

Please join us to honor Mike with a memorial service at the Clayville Fire House on Saturday, August 13th at 1pm.

In memory of Mike, please consider donations to the Believe 271 Foundation, who help Firefighters that suffer from a life threatening illness, such as cancer. Donations can be mailed c/o Clayville Fire Department PO Box 273, Clayville NY 13322.

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