Obituaries

Therese ‘Terry’ Pounds (Joiner): 1927-2024

Therese “Terry” Pounds (Joiner), 97, of Montclair, NJ died peacefully surrounded by family at Mountainside Hospital on Wednesday, September 11, 2024. Beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, cousin and friend, Terry was born a ‘survivor,’ having lost her mother who died soon after her birth in 1927 in New York City. She subsequently lived all over the world as a self-described “army brat” after her father, Colonel Talley Dosier Joiner, remarried and reclaimed “his little Therese” from her aunts who raised her until she was six. After graduating from Columbia High School in Maplewood, NJ, Terry briefly attended college at Trinity, DC, then decided to go to Katharine Gibbs Secretarial School in NJ. The skills she learned there served her well at her first secretarial jobs in Manhattan, then later at Montclair Kimberly Academy in Montclair where she worked for almost twenty years in the Office of External Affairs. She was proud of her mastery of the rules of English grammar, and many relied on her to proofread their letters. After the death of her husband in 1978, Terry set up a Montclair chapter of THEOS, a nationwide non-denominational support group for widowed men and women. She ran the group for approximately ten years and created friendships from that work that lasted until her death. She was also involved with the Friends of Barnet and the Montclair Fine Arts Festival.

Terry was predeceased in death by her husband, Donald Pounds, her son Richard, her beloved companions, Arthur Jones and Fred Berinato, and her sisters Lucy and Claire. She is survived by her son Donald Pounds and his companion Patrice Holtzer, daughter Mary Pounds Sisler, daughter-in-law Bette Pounds, sons James Pounds (Bethany) and Thomas Pounds (Liljana), daughter Virginia Pounds, sons Michael Pounds (Catherine) and John Pounds. She was the proud grandmother of sixteen grandchildren and five great-grandchildren: Katy, Austin, Colleen, Connor, Jordan, Jason, Jeremy, Natalie, Anika, Evan, Noah, Ben, Eli, Max, Harper and Nolan; Scarlett, Emma, Carson, Peyton and Wesley. She is also survived by a large extended family and countless friends.

Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, November 9 at 10 a.m. at Immaculate Conception Church, 30 N. Fullerton Ave., Montclair, NJ 07042, followed by interment of ashes at Immaculate Conception Cemetery in Upper Montclair.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Terry’s name to The Release Recovery Foundation at: https://donate.hakuapp.com/donations/new?fundraising_effort=in-loving-memory-of-therese-terry-pounds.

Howard James Syroka

11/05/1952 - 10/23/2024

Text:

Obituary For Howard James Syroka

Howard James Syroka, a true Toledo native and lifelong teammate, has hung up his cleats for the last time. On October 23, 2024, Howard rounded third and slid home. Born in Toledo, Ohio, on November 5, 1952, to Howard and Audrey (Jackowski), Howard was always a competitor, on and off the field. He spent most of his high school years at Woodward High School, but is a proud Start High School graduate, class of 1970. Howard spent much of his life working for Food Town, where he was a dedicated and hardworking player on the team.

When Howard wasn’t hard at work, he was swinging for the fences in every game he played. From his time on the softball diamond to golf greens, and from the little ball tables to dartboards, he made every point, every hit, and every win count. He was the one you wanted on your team—and the one you hated to play against. A lifelong fan of The Ohio State Buckeyes and Detroit Lions, he kept his home field full of sports energy, always ready to offer the latest score, his expert opinion, or some unsolicited advice to his six beloved grandchildren. Howard loved spending time with his grandchildren and was sure to attend every sporting event he possibly could.

Howard leaves behind his most cherished teammates: his wife, Sharon, of more than 50 years, and his children Justin (Kelly), Amanda (Damian), and Jacob (Breanna). His roster of grandchildren—Keegan, Lexie, Briahna, Gabriella, Nathaniel, and Madison—each hold a special place in the dugout of his heart. He will be remembered by his many siblings—Mikey, Davey, Ricky, Bobby, Pauly, Shelley, Tommy, Johnny, Billy, and Timmy—who carry his legacy forward.

As Howard takes his well-earned place on the ultimate field, his spirit remains in the stories, games, and endless advice he shared. The world has lost a fierce competitor, but heaven’s team just gained an MVP.

Visitation will be held Saturday, November 16, 2024, from 12 -4 p.m. at Walker Funeral Home, 5155 W. Sylvania Avenue, Toledo, OH, where a Memorial Service will begin at 4 p.m. In tribute to Howard, please wear attire representing Ohio State (scarlet and gray) or the Detroit Lions (blue, white, silver, and black). Burial will be private.

Photos & Video

Add New Photos & Video

Condolences