BRISTOL — Wayne Anthony Szymkiewicz, 79, of Summer Street, passed away on Sept. 9, 2026, after a period of declining health. He was born on Jan. 13, 1947, to Adam Anthony and Pia (Tallarida) Szymkiewicz in Norwood, Massachusetts.
Wayne's family lived in Avon, Massachusetts, until 1958, when they moved to New Hampshire, and bought Twin Elms Farm in Bradford. He was a graduate of Simonds Free High School in Warner, in June of 1966, and left to join the Navy the following month. Wayne served three years in Vietnam volunteering for the last two years. After returning home in 1969, he moved back to live with his parents and worked at several different jobs until he retired at the age of 62.
Wayne loved his family and enjoyed the simple things in life. He had many passions in his life but reading was number one for him his whole life. Wayne also loved photography, writing, dowsing and coloring. He was a great Santa Claus when his nieces and nephews were young and had them all fooled until they got older and started catching on. He loved volunteering for several charities like answering phones on television for the Jerry Lewis Telethon for muscular dystrophy. In his later years, when he lived in Bristol, he did many walkathons for the Newfound Area Senior Services Center. With all of his sponsors he was able to earn several thousand dollars.
Wayne was predeceased by his parents, Adam and Pia Szymkiewicz, and a sister, Helen (Szymkiewicz) Holmes. He is survived by his sister, Wanda (Szymkiewicz) Crabtree, and his brother, David Szymkiewicz; nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews and one great-grandnephew.
For people who knew Wayne he will be remembered for his kind heart and big smile.
A graveside service will be held at 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 17, at the NH Veterans Cemetery, 110 Daniel Webster Hwy, Boscawen, with military honors.
Memorial contributions may be made to NH Veterans Cemetery, Inc. (NHVCA), P.O. Box 626, Concord, NH 03302.
To sign an online guestbook, visit chadwickfuneralservice.com.
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