Alan Surdyka

Alan J. Surdyka, age 77, of Riverdale, passed away peacefully, with loving family by his side, on Thursday, January 1, 2026.

Born in Passaic, Alan was the second-born of Frederick and Stacia (Sondey) Surdyka. He was raised in Wallington and was a graduate of Wallington High School’s Class of 1967.

Following high school, Alan went straight to work. His first full-time position was with Western Electric, where he served as a journeyman and honed his skills. In 1975, when Western Electric closed its doors, Alan accepted a position as a maintenance mechanic with Alfred Heller Heat Treating Company in Clifton. He genuinely loved his work and dedicated over thirty-five years there before choosing retirement in 2013. After just a couple of months, he realized he needed something to keep himself occupied, leading him to take a part-time position as a maintenance mechanic with Precision Custom Coating Company in Totowa. He worked there for several years before finally choosing full retirement. Concurrent with his time at Western Electric and Alfred Heller Heat Treating Company, Alan served his country with honest and faithful service as an Army Reservist from 1971 until being honorably discharged in 1977.

Alan met the love of his life, Carol Fitzpatrick, through friends while they were in high school. The two were high school sweethearts and married on November 25, 1972, at St. Philip’s R.C. Church in Clifton. They honeymooned in the Bahamas and at Disney World before settling into their first home together—an apartment at his parents’ home on Koster Street in Wallington. In 1978, they moved to their present home in Riverdale, where they raised their three sons and created a lifetime of happy memories.

Alan enjoyed filling his time with many pursuits. Golf was by far his favorite sport, and at least once a week he met up with his buddies to play nine or eighteen holes at Sunset Valley Golf Course in Pompton Plains. At one point, he owned and loved riding his Harley Davidson motorcycle—until he was involved in an accident that led him to realize he cherished life and health more than the bike. He also spent countless hours caring for and manicuring his yard to Better Homes and Gardens standards. In between, Alan was always willing and able to help anyone who needed something fixed or upgraded in their home. He was truly the go-to “fix-it” guy for all his neighbors.

More than anything else, Alan was happiest when he was with his family. When his sons were young, he and Carol enjoyed taking them to Florida, staying in their timeshare, and visiting Disney World. Alan and Carol also celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary with a trip to Hawaii and took several trips to Aruba. Alan especially enjoyed working on home projects with his sons - ranging from small tasks like replacing a light switch or faucet, to reroofing a home, installing a fence, or building decks for both the house and the pool. One of the greatest joys of his life was his grandson, Joseph. As Joseph’s “Pop-Pop,” Alan happily picked him up from school three days a week, treasured spending time with him, and loved teaching him how to fix things.

Alan will be remembered as a hardworking and caring man who was always generous in sharing his time and talents with others. A beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, and uncle, he always placed his family above anything else life had to offer. He will be deeply missed.

Alan was the beloved husband of Carol (Fitzpatrick) Surdyka, blessed in marriage for 53 years. He was the proud and loving father of his three sons: Joseph Surdyka and his wife, Shelly Rankin, of West Milford; Robert Surdyka and his wife, Theresa, of Riverdale; and Kevin Surdyka of Bloomingdale. He was the cherished grandfather of Joseph; dearest brother of Frederick Surdyka and his wife, Arlene; and dear uncle to several nieces and nephews.

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In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy in Alan’s name are asked to consider the following charitable organizations:

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

Memorial Processing

501 St. Jude Place

Memphis, TN 38105-9959

American Cancer Society

P.O. Box 6704

Hagerstown, MD 21741