Fred Joseph Sayklly of 115 Kenneally Boulevard Ave, Gladstone, Michigan left to be with God on Sunday, January 13th, 2008 at the age of eighty-five.
Fred was born January 17th, 1922 to the late Joseph and Mary (Kirkish) Sayklly.
In May of 1950, he married Elaine Farah of Green Bay, Wisconsin, who is now deceased. In 1981, Fred married Kathryn Lasnoski, and she survives.
Fred graduated from the Escanaba High School in 1939, and in 1949, attended Michigan State College for a course in Dairy Engineering with the thought of going into Ice Cream Wholesale Business. After the professors tasted the Sayklly’s candy, their comment was, “Because of the quality of your candy – stay with it!”
A building on Third Avenue North was the beginning of the wholesale candy business. Fred asked for financial assistance from one of the local banks, and they refused saying, “Wholesale candy would never succeed.” However, it was later learned that Fred made and sold more candy in one month than they did the entire previous year. He felt he had made the right decision.
Some of his awards and accomplishments were: Receiving a State of Michigan Product of the Year Award for creating Maple Syrup Butter Cream Fudge; as well as an award from the Retail Confectioners Association for the Best Open-Fire Cooked Anise Squares.
Some of Fred’s creations, which are still being used today are: the chocolate butter cream fudge, the butter cream caramels, English butter toffee, and the Yooper Bar developed for the Upper Peninsula. Another one of his developments was the Easter Egg. This became such a favorite at Easter; they made over 100,000 of various sizes.
It was a pleasure for Fred to have groups of children come in, watch the candy being made, and leave with samples and smiles on their faces.
Fred retired in December of 1982, selling the business to his nephew, Michael Kobasic who relocated the business to its current location on 2nd Avenue.
Fred is survived by four children: Son: Joseph Sayklly – Manistique, Michigan; Daughter: Terri (Chuck) Desormier- Neenah, Wisconsin; Daughter: Missy (Kevin) Sundholm- Felch, Michigan; Son: Fred Sayklly, Jr.- Escanaba, Michigan
Step Son: Joseph (Robin) Lasnoski– Green Bay, Wisconsin.
He is also survived by four granddaughters: Lindsay Desormier; Toni Desormier; Jackie Sundholm; and Colleen (Cody) Martin.
Fred has two great grandchildren: Taylor Desormier and Dominic Desormier.
He also has two step-grandchildren: Nathan (Heidi) Lasnoski; and Kent (Caitlin) Lasnoski. As well as two step-great grandchildren, Madeline Lasnoski and John Paul Aquinas Lasnoski.
Five sisters survive Fred: Angeline Kobasic, Sister Martha Jean Sayklly, Margaret Sayklly, Elizabeth Schiska, and Marie Mayville. Beatrice Sayklly, sister-in law also survives. Many nieces and nephews survive.
Deceased Members of Fred’s Family are: Father, Joseph Sayklly-1943. Mother, Mary Sayklly-1969. Brother, Edward Sayklly-1994. Sister, Louise-1998. And Sister, Josephine-1998.
Fred was a member of All Saints Church in Gladstone, Michigan.
Clubs: President of St. Patrick’s Parish Council, Lector at St. Patrick’s Church, Trustee of St. Patrick’s Church, President of St. Anne’s Parish Council, Member of St. Anne’s Reconciliation Choir, Lector at St. Anne’s Church, Member of All Saint’s Choir, Lector at All Saint’s Church, Escanaba Lion’s Club – Past District Governor of the Upper Peninsula, Escanaba Eagles Club – Life Member, Escanaba Knights of Columbus, Gladstone Knights of Columbus, Member of Escanaba Country Golf Club, Member of Palmbrook Golf Club – Sun City, Arizona
The family’s thanks go to the staff at Christian Park and St. Francis Hospital for the excellent care and compassion they showed during our time of difficulty. It is truly appreciated.
The family of Fred Sayklly, Sr. will receive friends on Wednesday, January 16th at the Skradski Funeral Home in Gladstone from 2:00pm to 5:30pm. The Rosary will be recited by the Gladstone Knights of Columbus Council 6667 at the beginning of the visitation. The Mass of Christian Burial will follow at All Saints Church in Gladdstone at 6:00 PM with Rev. Fr. Arnold Grambow, Rev. Fr. Gilbert Neurohr, Rev. Fr. Paul Schiska and Rev. Fr. Paul Brien officiating. Luncheon will follow in the All Saints Church Parish Hall.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the All Saints Church Elevator Fund, at the request of Fred.
Fred’s obligation to life itself and his life-long dream of being “The Candy Man” has been realized.
