Anthony Czyr, 62, Ridgefield builder

  Anthony J. “Tony” Czyr, a Ridgefield homebuilder who could quote Shakespeare with the ease of a college professor, died on Friday evening, Jan. 10, 2003, at Yale-New Haven Hospital. He was 62 years old.
Mr. Czyr, who built dozens of houses in town over the past 40 years, was a private man who quietly contributed his skills to community organizations. “Those who took the trouble to know him were deeply rewarded by the effort,” said John Katz, a longtime friend and fellow member of the Early Bird Café Morning Club.
A native of Stamford, Mr. Czyr was born on Feb. 9, 1940, a son of the late Frank and Valeria Schall Czyr. He attended Stamford schools and graduated from Stamford High School where he was a member of the football team.
Mr. Czyr studied architecture at Kansas State University in Manhattan. Although he did not become an architect, he personally designed almost all of the houses he built in town.
He moved to Ridgefield in 1964, living at first on Overlook Drive and later on North Street and finally Golf Lane. He built homes in the Golf Lane area, including portions of the old Ward Acres horse farm that had once been the Ridgefield Golf Course. He also developed Belvedere Court and built houses at Twin Ridge. In the early years he was a partner with his brother, Ed, on construction projects.
Mr. Czyr donated his services to excavate the foundation of the Scott House, the new headquarters of the Ridgefield Historical Society, and had planned to do the same for the new animal shelter, being built by the Ridgefield Organization for Animal Rescue (ROAR). “He was a very generous man,” Mr. Katz said. “He was always ready, willing and able to be drawn into these community projects.”
A man of many interests, Mr. Czyr enjoyed and could comfortably quote poetry and Shakespeare. He was an accomplished jazz guitarist who also collected guitars.
He was a member of the Lions Club and had belonged to the former Ridgefield Jaycees chapter 30 years ago.
An admirer of dogs, Mr. Czyr had a pair of bulldogs. “He was very sentimental about his dogs and his family,” said Mr. Katz.
His survivors include two sons: T.J. Czyr and his wife Cathy and Christian Czyr and his wife Donna, all of Bethel; his brother: Edward Czyr of Lansdale, Pa.; two sisters: Frances Healy of Portland, Conn., and Helen Jones of Easton, Md.; three grandchildren: Katie, Matthew and Nicholas; and several nieces and nephews.
A graveside service will take place on Saturday, Feb. 8, at 10 a.m. in St. Mary’s Cemetery. (Services will not take place in the church as previously announced.)
The Kane Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.