Raymond Henry Szyperski's Obituary
The family of Raymond Henry Szyperski of Laurel, Maryland announces his passing through death to eternal life on Wednesday, July 2, 2025 at the age of 95 years, 7 months, 25 days.
Born in Cheektowaga, New York on November 7, 1929, Ray was the youngest child of Casimer and Rose (nee Kosek) Szyperski. A member of Queen of the Most Holy Rosary parish in Buffalo, New York, he graduated from the school there, then completed his secondary education in the Buffalo public school system. He enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1949, serving in the Air Force Security Service and studying at Defense Language Institute in Monterey, California; Syracuse University in New York; and Air Force Intelligence School at Lowry Air Force Base in Denver, Colorado. Later he went on to earn his Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science at University of Maryland, as well as Master of Arts degrees in Business Administration and Public Administration at Central Michigan University.
As a young Airman assigned to study languages at Syracuse University, Ray – in a mysterious mix-up that was a favorite among his many famous stories – met a charming USO volunteer named Mary, who became his wife in 1958. Military service took them and their growing family across the United States to Madison, Wisconsin and Marquette, Michigan, across the Atlantic Ocean to Hof in Bavaria, Germany, and back again to Ft. Meade, Maryland. Eventually, Ray and Mary settled with their three children in Laurel, Maryland, and resided there for more than half a century.
Following retirement in 1969 from his decorated Air Force career, Ray joined the civil service workforce at the National Security Agency. Beginning as Senior Branch Linguist and Intelligence Analyst, he expanded into technical analysis, progressed through various management positions, and retired as Executive of the Intelligence Analysis Career Panel. His second retirement stuck, and he spent the next three-plus decades enjoying his family and supporting his local church and community.
The Szyperski family was active at Resurrection of Our Lord Roman Catholic Church in Laurel from its earliest days in the 1960s. Ray served on the Pastoral Council and on numerous committees over the years. He was a Catechist and member of the choir. He served as usher, lector, and Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion until May 2025. At the time of his death, he was a Past Grand Knight and current Lecturer in the Resurrection of our Lord Knights of Columbus council and member of the local Holy Name Society. He championed the dignity of human life and served on the boards for Pro-Life Maryland and Gabriel Network. The Archdiocese of Baltimore conferred the Medal of Honor on Ray and Mary in recognition of “exceptional devotion and service to their parish, the Archdiocese, and the larger community.” Ray often collected donations for the Laurel Pregnancy Center and made his final delivery there in the last week of June 2025.
Elsewhere in the community, Ray was President of the Maryland City Civic Association, where he was a member since 1970, and member of the Laurel Race Course Impact Fee Committee, which designated funds for such endeavors as the Maryland City at Russett library and a new station and trucks for the Maryland City Volunteer Fire Department. In 2003 he was named Anne Arundel County Outstanding Volunteer of the Year. A State Senator appointed him to serve on the commission that made recommendations for the future of Oak Hill Youth Center and ultimately sparked reform in the Washington, DC juvenile detention system. He was a member of the Alumni Associations of the University of Maryland and Central Michigan University, American Legion Post 60, Freedom Through Vigilance, the Hof Reunion Association, the National Cryptologic Museum Foundation, and the Phoenix Society.
Meanwhile, at home, Ray prioritized family. He was proud of his Polish heritage and of Mary’s German heritage, and family gatherings routinely included homemade cuisine from both countries. At Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter… on Father’s Day and Mother’s Day and birthdays… he gathered his family together. His warmth, humor, and generosity had no bounds. His impact on others was celebrated grandly in November 2024, when more than one hundred of his closest friends gathered for his 95th birthday party.
Ray will be lovingly remembered by his children Kiva Fecteau (Claude), David Szyperski, and William Szyperski (Carole); grandchildren Emilie Fecteau, Genevieve Fecteau, Christina Smith (Ryan), Katherine Szyperski (Carl), Michael Szyperski, Allison Szyperski, Kelly Trout (Hugh), Jakob Hatcher, Ethan Hatcher, and Blake Hatcher; and great-grandchildren Isla and Hugh Trout. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his treasured wife, Mary; his sister, Florence; and his brother, Edward.
The family will receive guests for visitation at Resurrection of Our Lord Catholic Church in Laurel, Maryland on Tuesday, July 15 from 6-8 pm. Visitation will resume at church on Wednesday, July 16 from 9 am until 10:15 am when Knights of Columbus will lead those gathered in praying the Holy Rosary. Mass of Christian Burial begins at 11 am. Interment with military honors will commence at 11:30 am on Thursday, July 17 at Crownsville Veterans Cemetery in Crownsville, Maryland.
Flowers are welcome and encouraged. Alternate expressions of sympathy may be made in the form of contributions to Gabriel Network, https://gabrielnetwork.org, PO Box 2116, Bowie, MD 20718
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