Lifetime Syosset Resident Karol Wozniak Passes Away at 89

Karol Wozniak, a resident of Syosset for 85 years, passed away on Sept. 20 at the age of 89. 

“He was an all-around great guy, beloved by friends and family”, said Karol's son, Richard Wozniak.

Wozniak grew up in Syosset, attended Syosset public schools, and was drafted into World War II at the age of 18. He was a member of the 104^th infantry and achieved the ranking of Sergeant, and was stationed all over Europe, specifically Germany, France and Belgium.

Wozniak's bravery and resilience on the battlefield were commended with the bronze and silver star medals. After the war, he started work as an auto mechanic at a local Syosset auto body shop.

After many years of work, Wozniak and a fellow mechanic decided to open up their own auto body shop. They bought a lot of land next to the Syosset railroad tracks and called it and owned it for 20-plus years. The shop is still running today, under new ownership by a former employee of Wozniak. 

“My father loved meeting new people and helping them out; he believed it made their lives a little easier," Richard said. “He used to keep his shop opened on Saturdays, and he would lend his welding skills for only $2. The neighborhood kids would take advantage of this deal by having their bikes fixed."

Wozniak was married for 57 years to his late wife Regina. The couple spent all of their free time on the ocean, fishing on Wozniak’s boat.

After Regina passed in 2003, he spent a lot of his time by the ocean, reminiscing of the times they shared.

“After she passed, life just wasn’t the same for him”, Richard said.

Wozniak was a man of hobbies, and his first love was fishing. He was a member of the Oyster Bay anglers, and he loved fishing for fluke and stripe bass on his 21ft Grady-White fishing boat, Richard said. 

Also, as a true lover of the outdoors, he collected rocks. Annually, he would take his family on trips up near Albany to collect Herkimer diamonds. 

Wozniak was an active member in the Syosset community. He belonged to the and participated in the Memorial Day parades.  He had the honor of being one of four men to fire their rifles during the ceremony. 

“All of his friends described him as a nice, mild-mannered gentlemen," Richard said. "Most of them can swear that they never ever heard him argue or curse - he was simply pleasant."

Wozniak’s body was laid to rest at the interment Holy Road Cemetery. A funeral mass was held at and he was reposed at the