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HUBBARD -- Francis J. "Jerry" Rydarowicz Sr., 83, passed away peacefully at home with his family by his side early Saturday morning, Aug. 22, 2026.
Jerry was born on Nov. 8, 1942, in Youngstown, a son of Stanley and Margaret Audrey Lavan Rydarowicz.
Jerry was of the Catholic faith and a member of St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church.
He graduated from Ursuline High School in 1960 and retired from National Gypsum, where he was a manager of the machine shop for many years.
Jerry was proud to have served in the U.S. Army protecting our country at the borders.
He was a race car driver for many years, racing at Canfield Speedway, Sharon Speedway and many other race tracks, where he won many races and track championships; he was a member of Twin State Auto Racing Club, where he was inducted into the Driver Hall of Fame in 2021; he was also a member and vice president of the Hubbard American Legion.
Jerry enjoyed camping and hunting in Jefferson Lake State Park with his sons and grandsons. He loved watching his grandchildren race go-karts, play football, cheer, majorette and do all other sports. Jerry loved driving through town in his 1952 Chevy with the love of his life, his wife, the former Helen "Jean" DeVeto, whom he married July 5, 1965. He most of all loved family time, the holidays and family parties.
Jerry leaves two sons, John (Christine) Rydarowicz of Hubbard and Frances J. Rydarowicz Jr. of Hubbard; three daughters, Cheryl (Fred) Coller of Hubbard, Karen (Barrian) Moyer of Hubbard and Diane (Matt Sammons) Rydarowicz, also of Hubbard; a sister, Kathleen Rydar of Los Angeles, California; 19 grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
Jerry was preceded in death by his wife Jean; his parents; his brother, John Rydarowicz; and a great-granddaughter, Loralei Ann Rydarowicz.
Family and friends may call from 10 to 11:45 a.m. Friday, Aug. 28, 2026, at the Kelley-Cummins Funeral Home.
A Mass of Christian burial will be at 12:30 p.m. at St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church with the Very Rev. Michael Balash officiating.
Final resting place will be at Hubbard Union Cemetery.
Visit www.kcummins.com to view this obituary and leave condolences for the family.
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