Raymond Eugene Tyska

Raymond Eugene Tyska, 72, of Syracuse, NY & Concord, NC passed away peacefully surrounded by his family Thursday, June 27, 2024.

Ray was born June 30, 1951, to the late Frank William Tyska and the late Mary Ann Kinel Tyska.

Growing up in a rural setting east of Syracuse, he enjoyed all seasons and many activities. Baseball, bicycling, swimming, gardening, fishing, & hunting were his first loves as a boy. A member of the Class of ’69 at ES-Minoa HS, being a wrestling, baseball & lacrosse athlete. After a brief stint of factory work, Ray hired on as a fireman for the Penn Central Railroad. So began a 42-year career of locomotive service on freight & passenger on Conrail then Amtrak. Every departure he strived to be “the perfect engineer.” Although excessive at times, Ray was satisfied knowing he left his coworkers & workplace better than yesterday. Often these work relationships became lifelong friendships. The railroad brotherhood was strong, and that was the greatest value he held about his profession.

Fate was involved on Friday eve, February 1974. In lieu of storming the Onieda Lake area on snowmobiles with friends, Ray took a trip to“the west side”. A chance encounter in a crowded bar with a young lady from Camillus began a relationship lasting over 50 years.

On June 7, 1975, Ray married the love of his life Diane Elizabeth Wykes. In a house in Minoa, they started their journey together as a family. On 1/22/1977, Raymond Michael was born and later; after relocating to Clifton Park, Craig Mathew was born on 3/27/1980. From that time, his family was his entire world. Vacations & holiday time, especially at Lake George, could get him “off track”. In 2001, Dee & Ray reached a “switch” in their life. Relocating to North Carolina, following both sons’ departure to NASCAR country. Fast forward to 2011, a very special year was book ended by the birth of Sophie, then Rylan. Along with big Sissy Kassie, these grandchildren were now the apples of their Pop Pop’s eye!

One constant theme in Ray’s life has been anything with an engine! He was entirely passionate about cars, trucks, motorcycles, & snowmobiles. Best memories were spent with family at fairs, shows or at the races, all year round. His ultimate hobby & wintertime family activity, was snowmobiling! First racing ovals around central NY, then grooming both sons to love sleds and trail riding. Later, when Pop Pop could bring his grandchildren on the snow covered trail, his winters were “made”

Survivors include his beloved wife of 49 years, Diane Tyska of Concord, NC; son Michael (Shannon) Tyska, of Mooresville, NC; son, Craig Tyska, of Concord, NC; grandchildren Sophie, Rylan & Kassie; a niece, and several nephews.

A funeral mass will be held at St. Joseph’s Church, Camillus, NY, on the afternoon of July 11th at 3:30. This is the same alter where Ray & Dee exchanged vows. The family is asking everyone to come dressed casually.

Hartsell Funeral Home of Harrisburg, NC is serving the Tyska family.