Robert H. Ossyra

     Robert H. Ossyra, 94, formerly of Egg Harbor, passed away Monday morning, October 1, 2018 at Good Samaritan Society-Scandia Village in Sister Bay where he had recently been living.

     He was born November 4, 1923 in St. Louis, MO, the son of the late Carl “Charles” and Olga (Kelle) Ossyra. Robert graduated from Beaumont High School in St. Louis in 1941. He worked as a welder before entering into service with the United States Army Air Corps during WWII in 1943. Robert was united in marriage to Mary Louise Breen on June 26, 1943 at Our Lady of Perpetual Help in St. Louis, MO. He was honorably discharged from service in 1945. Robert went on to study at Washington University where he earned his degree in chemical engineering and also studied business later on during a summer program at Stanford University in California.

     Upon his graduation from college, Robert worked for the United States Government in civil service initially Frederick, MD and was later transferred to Arkansas. He then went to work for Standard Oil (which eventually became Amoco and is now BP) in Crown Point, IN in 1953. Robert moved to Illinois in 1967 and retired in 1983. He and Mary Lou moved from Glencoe, IL to their beloved vacation destination of Door County, WI in the summer of 1984. Robert actively assisted in the construction of their home in Gills Rock while Mary Lou helped haul away trees to clear the land. They remained in Gills Rock until 2004 when they moved to Eames Farm in Egg Harbor where they lived for 14 years.

     Robert was a member of Stella Maris Parish in northern Door County. Upon moving to Door County, he Mary and Lou initially attended Mass at St. Rosalia Catholic Church in Sister Bay (now Stella Maris Paris-Sister Bay site) at the old church location before the current Sister Bay church was built. They also attended Mass at the other Stella Maris Parish sites occasionally over the years. Robert had a passion for woodworking, especially wood carving, carpentry, and building furniture. He helped construct the cupola at Birch Creek Music Center in Egg Harbor and helped build things for The Clearing Folk School in Ellison Bay and birdhouses for The Ridges Sanctuary in Baileys Harbor. He loved golfing and was an avid Green Bay Packers fan.

     Robert will be missed by his wife, Mary Lou, with whom he was blessed with over 75 years of marriage; five sons and two daughters, Barbara Martin of Sister Bay, Robert C. Ossyra of Lake Villa, IL, William (Maureen) Ossyra of Wilmette, IL, Michael (Kim) Ossyra of Corona, CA, James (Carol) Ossyra of Evanston, IL, John (Shuhong) Ossyra of Libertyville, IL, and Mary Anne Moczynski of Lindenhurst, IL; twelve grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

     A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 6, 2018 at Stella Maris Parish-Sister Bay site, 2410 S. Bay Shore Dr., Sister Bay, WI 54234 with Fr. David Ruby as celebrant. Military honors will follow at the church. Robert will be laid to rest in St. Rosalia Cemetery.

     Visitation for family and friends will be held at the church on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until 10:45 a.m.

     Memorials may be given in Robert’s name for Stella Maris Parish (P.O. Box 79, Egg Harbor, WI 54209).

     “Our family would like to express our heartfelt thanks to the staff at Scandia Village, friends, and other family for the wonderful and compassionate care given to Robert.”

     Casperson Funeral Home in Sister Bay is assisting with arrangements. Expressions of sympathy may be shared with Robert’s family through his tribute page at www.caspersonfuneralhome.com.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Robert H. Ossyra, please visit our floral store.