John Cyrocki

OBITUARY - JOHN M. CYROCKI
February 20, 1929 - December 14, 2022

John was a firstborn child to Polish immigrants on February 20, 1929 in Jackson Michigan. He grew up in Michigan, attending a Polish Catholic school speaking Polish as his first language. He loved the woods and the outdoors. Hunting, fishing, camping and trapping were the activities of his early life. He lived next door to his maternal grandmother and was surrounded by extended family in his childhood.

He first met the beautiful Irish girl named "Coke" O'Brien. At his very first encounter, he decided that he was going to marry her. After graduation he accepted an appointment to Kings Point Maritime Academy. After his 2nd year at the Academy, the United States Air Force was recruiting Air Force Pilot candidates and John immediately signed up. After completing basic pilot training he sent for "Coke" to join him in San Angelo, Texas where they married on June 3, 1950.

October 1950 he graduate #1 in his class and received his rating as a Pilot in the USAF. Immediately after graduation he was sent to Korea where he flew 48 combat missions flying a 4 engine B-29 Super Fortress Bomber. After his combat experience he was called to join an elite group of pilots who became operational in the new sleek Swept wing six engine jet B-47 Bomber. He also gained further ratings as navigator, radar operator and bombardier. He quickly attained status as a "select crew" in the Strategic Air Command (SAC.)

In 1956 he pursued his aviation career as a civilian. He went on to achieve further opportunities as a Project Design Engineer for Jet and Turbo-Prop aircraft engines and as an Experimental Flight Test Pilot for Allison Division, General Motors Corporation; Jet Specialist Aircraft accident investigator, Civil Aeronautics Board; Assistant Division Chief, Bureau of Safety, Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB); Chief Aircraft Accident Investigation Staff, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA); Flight Standards Division Chief, Pacific Region, FAA;

As a result of his representation of the U.S. Government at major International Civil Aviation Organization meetings, the governments of Central and South America joined in a united petition to the White House to have John visit their respective countries to meet with their key aviation officials and inspect their aviation facilities . He was treated as an honorary guest of the highest rank. He was guest speaker at the Brazilian War College and following that trip the Brazilian Government petition the White house once again to have him teach at their War College for a year. But his country needed him more. In 1965 He was asked to establish and operate the U.S. Civil Airlift into SE Asia during the Vietnam conflict. The airlift was the most massive sustain civil airlift operations in the annals of aviation history. His accomplishments as the Airlift Coordinator have yet to be rivaled.

John frequently represented the United States at international meetings, and at Foreign Aircraft Accident Investigations involving U.S. certificated or manufactured aircraft. Since retiring in 1978 John has responded to a number of requests from the Federal Aviation Administration to lead and conduct special studies and investigations.
John grew up in a Catholic home but in 1974 he joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Four years after joining the Church he became the Branch President of the Naple FL branch, then Ward Bishop. He was the Stake President in the Ft. Myers and then Lake Mary Florida Stakes. He and his wife served a three year mission in Poland from 1993-1996 where he presided over the Poland Warsaw Mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Upon returning to the U.S. he served as a Counselor in the Orlando Florida Temple Presidency and he and his wife continued to faithfully serve as Ordinance workers and John served as a Sealer in the Orlando Florida Temple until 2013.

His eternal companion, Colleen "Coke" O'Brien Cyrocki, preceded him in death on December 14, 2016. John died exactly six years later on December 14, 2022. He is survivied by daughters, Cathy Cyrocki Garrett and Susan Cyrocki Toronto, 9 grandchildren and 33 great grandchildren.