Mr. Henry (Hank) Zywiak, retired Professional Civil Engineer, age 86, passed away Saturday morning, April 27, 2013, at Eastern Star Nursing Home, surrounded by family. He is predeceased by his brothers, John, Max, Adolph and Louis. Lou recently passed on December 28, 2012. Born in Utica, NY on June 27, 1926 to the late Katarzina Pieszko and John Zywiak. Mr. Henry Zywiak was a graduate of St. Joseph's Grade School in Utica and a 1944 graduate of Utica Free Academy. He loved telling stories about his childhood including sneaking into the Stanley Theater and being a shoe shine boy during the Depression. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. Mr. Zywiak attended Mohawk College and later graduated from The University of Vermont where he met his wife Marguerite (Maggie) Plante, and were married September 26, 1953 in Hinesburg, Vermont. Hank received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering in 1951 and was a licensed N.Y State Professional Engineer/Land Surveyor. He held many positions within the Utica Six County Region of NYSDOT. He was especially proud of his service as the Oneida East Resident Engineer, Canal Engineer and retired as the Regional Highway Maintenance Engineer in 1989 after 38 years of service. He taught at Utica College. He was well respected amongst his peers and staff, and was known for never tying his shoe laces. He coached the "River Road" team in the Marcy Little League for many years, leading them from an expansion team to winning multiple championships. Hank was a big Red Sox fan. He cheered and watched his children and grandchildren play their favorite sport and loved playing dinosaurs with his great grandchildren. Hank loved taking his family on vacations to many places including Vermont, Maine, Nags Head, California, Myrtle Beach and Europe. He shared his love for the outdoors with his children, and grandchildren with frequent hiking trips and when he worked with the canal, showing them the operation of the locks. Hank shared his passion for the area by taking his family to Pixley Falls, Delta Dam and Lock 17 in Little Falls. He loved to take his boys on his surveying excursions on the weekends. He had many hobbies and enjoyed golfing with friends and family, he played in a golf league for many years with his co-workers. In his later years he enjoyed golfing with his wife Maggie. He loved the family golf outings including the "Best Ball Tournament" for his 80th birthday party with the kids and grandkids at Twin Ponds. It always brought him great joy when all his children, daughters-in-law, grandchildren and great grandchildren got together for family reunions especially this past summer when Rich and his family visited from Spokane. Hank was an active member of St Joseph-St. Patrick Catholic Church, where he looked forward to monthly Bible Study meetings with Father Dellos and was a former usher. He was a member of the Canal Society, Professional Engineer Society, and Whitestown American Legion Post No. 1113. Henry was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather , provider and friend who will be greatly missed by many. Henry Zywiak leaves his loving wife of 59 years Marguerite (Maggie), seven children, who will cherish him always, Stephen (Karen), Thomas (Mary Jane), Robert (Jacqueline), Michael (Lorraine), William (Rose Ann), Catherine, and Richard (Michele). He was predeceased by a still born daughter Valerie. Grandchildren Jennifer Zywiak and Candace (Eric), Matthew and Peter, Victoria, Ryland and Kendall, Zack and Zoe. He also leaves his great grandchildren Connor, Drew and Nora and many nieces and nephews. He was especially proud of the many accomplishments of his seven children and grandchildren. On his last active day he profited from his friends at Turning Stone and made a last visit to the Whitestown American Legion followed by a delicious homemade dinner and a baseball game on TV. The family would like to thank the Maynard Fire Department, the staff of St. Luke's Hospital, Allen Calder Wing, and with special gratitude to the caring staff on the Carey Unit at Eastern Star Nursing Home 3 West. Mr. Zywiak's funeral will be held on Thursday, May 2, 2013 at 10:00 am at St. Joseph & St. Patrick's Church in Utica, where his Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated. Interment with Military Honors will follow in Holy Trinity Cemetery, Whitestown. Relatives and friends are invited to call at the Heintz Funeral Home, 1517 Whitesboro St., Utica, Wednesday evening, from 4 - 7 pm. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to Boys and Girls Club of Utica or Mother Marianne's Soup Kitchen 702 Columbia Street.