Andrew Szaniszlo's Obituary
Andrew J. Szaniszlo, 87 (May 13, 1937 - February 13, 2025)
Andrew J. Szaniszlo of North Olmsted died on February 13, 2025. He is the beloved husband of 59 years of Elaine (Zubek), devoted father and adored grandfather. He was born in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1937 to Andrew and Emma Szaniszlo, where he grew up with a strong creative interest in science and experiments.
Andrew attended John Adams High School before studying Engineering at Fenn College (now Cleveland State University) and going to work at NASA Lewis Research Center (now Glenn Research Center). It is at work where he met his wife, Elaine (Zubek), at a NASA social event. Later, Andrew studied and earned his Master’s degree in Physics at John Carroll University. While at NASA, he conducted a wide variety of research which grew into space experiments, and he contributed to numerous Space Shuttle Missions while leading many of these projects. Through his strong dedication and project excellence, he was nationally recognized because of his expertise and accomplishments. He also received the prestigious Silver Snoopy Award for those who have significantly contributed to the human space flight program to ensure flight safety. This is only given to a select few recipients and personally presented by astronauts of the mission.
Andrew’s engineering brain served him well throughout his life, and he could fix just about anything. He would most always do it himself rather than pay anyone to do it. He had a bevy of devices and gadgets to make those jobs feasible.
He was also a history and science buff and could talk with anyone about those topics. He enjoyed many outdoor activities, as well as spending time with his family and especially his granddaughter, Mia.
Andrew was preceded in death by his father, Andrew, his mother, Emma, and his sister, Irene Heller. He is survived by his wife Elaine, his two children, Andy and Marcia, his granddaughter Mia, and his brother Robert and sister Margaret.
There will be a visitation on February 25, 2025, at Sunset Chapel, 6245 Columbia Rd, North Olmsted, Ohio, 44070, between 10am-12pm, followed by a service at Sunset Chapel from 12pm-1pm. A burial will be held privately.
In lieu of sending flowers, the family asks you to please consider a donation to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Andrew’s name.
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