Joseph A. Nykodym

Joseph “Tony” Anthony Nykodym, age 72, died early Tuesday, March 12, 2024, at Hospice of Northwest Ohio in Toledo after a short bout with cancer.  Tony was born on February 28, 1952, in Toledo, Ohio to Joseph and Mary Ann (Patek) Nykodym.  He graduated from Tecumseh High School in 1970.  His first job was at Meyer Aircraft in Tecumseh, where he loaded and welded boats.  On August 26, 1972, Tony married the love of his life, Barbara Mastie, in Britton, Michigan.  They joyfully celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with a surprise party and danced the night away at the Monroe Boat Club in 2022.

  In 1973, he began his career at Chrysler Proving Grounds in Chelsea, Michigan and worked there for 35 years before retiring in October 2008.  During that time, he served as the Recording Secretary of the UAW Local 1284 for 6 years.  

  Tony and Barb welcomed their son, Zachary Nykodym, in 1981, and continued life in Tecumseh for 32 years until moving to Bolles Harbor in Monroe in 2004.

  Tony grew up boating and fishing on Lake Erie, learning to run the family boat at an early age.  His love of the water and boating continued throughout his entire life.  Tony and his family spent many years and made a lot of memories on Lake Erie, taking countless boating trips to favorite locations on the family’s Egg Harbor, the Eggs-Otic. 

 
  He was an avid fisherman with his brother-in-law and long-time best friend, Mikey, (affectionately known sometimes as the UNO brothers) on Lake Erie for perch and walleye and the Gulf of Mexico in Englewood, Florida on Manasota Key, catching snapper and grouper.  One of Tony’s favorite things to do was to open a beer and fry up the fish they caught for friends and family.

  Tony was a lifetime member of the Monroe Boat Club for 43 years and co-owned the OPM Marina in Monroe for 35 years.  He was fortunate to be able to complete the Great Loop with good friends aboard the M/V Radiation.

  Upon retirement in 2008, Tony and Barb spent their winters in Englewood, Florida in the Gulf-to-Bay Community.  Tony served on the Board of Directors for the association for twelve years, serving as President for six of those years.  During his tenure, he led many major projects for the park, including the construction of the pavilion, which is enjoyed daily by the residents of the community and serves as the location for many activities within the Gulf-to-Bay co-op.  Tony also enjoyed spending time at the tiki overlooking the Gulf and often slipped down to the Gulfview Grill, the Lock N’ Key, and Magnolias for happy hour with a Johnny Walker Black.  He was a “jack of all trades” and could master anything he tackled and was often asked to help friends and family with projects.  

Tony is survived by his wife of 51 years Barbara (Mastie) Nykodym; his son and daughter-in-law, Zachary and April Nykodym; his sister, Mary Jo (Nykodym) Griewahn, and brother-in-law, Michael Griewahn, all of Monroe; his niece and nephew-in-law, Blair Griewahn and Alfred Chimoski, of Suttons Bay, Michigan; his nephew, Thomas Williams, of Britton; his aunt, Dawn Knisel, of Montclova, Ohio; and many other nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

  He was preceded in death by his mother and father, his sister, Sharon (Nykodym) Williams, and a very dear cousin, Kim “Slim” Gillen.

  Visitation will be held at Bacarella Funeral Home on Sunday, March 17, 2024, from 4:00 – 8:00 pm.  On Monday, March 18, 2024, funeral services will be held at noon, with visitation commencing at 11:00 am at Bacarella Funeral Home.  

  In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Gulf-to-Bay for the purchase of a palm tree in Tony’s name at the Pavilion.  

  Online condolences and special memories may be shared with the family by visiting the obituary page at www.bacarellafuneralhome.com.