Syros Westra

Syros Westra, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather, passed into the arms of his loving Savior on June 22, 2023. He took his last breath peacefully, at his home in Ontario, CA, surrounded by family. He was 87 years old.

Sy was a retired school psychologist and readily shared how blessed he was to make a living doing something he really enjoyed. He worked for the Upland School District for more than 30 years. He was a keen observer of the miracle of human development and intellect. He was also a wonderful listener and had a heart for anyone experiencing challenges in life.

Sy was born in Randolph Wisconsin to Andrew and Effie Westra, March 2, 1936. He was the second of six children and was raised on the family dairy farm. He was always quick to reflect on his agricultural roots. He had good memories of his childhood, working hard on the farm.

While Sy loved his time on the farm, he also desired to explore what else life could bring. He always loved school and fondly remembers teachers like Dewey Westra who encouraged him to pursue an education. With that, he traveled east to Grand Rapids, where he attended Calvin College. He majored in biology and ultimately his path led to becoming an educator.

Also consistent with his need for adventure, Sy joined the Army Reserves while attending college. While serving, he became a medic, training at Fort Sam Houston, Texas. He also obtained certification to drive a jeep, and enjoyed getting to know the military leaders he was often assigned to drive around. While he never had to go to war, he was ready to serve in anyway requested, as he loved his country and the opportunities it gave him.

A few years after graduating from Calvin and taking on various teaching assignments across the country, Sy was back in Grand Rapids, where he and a friend decided to attend a young adult gathering at LaGrave Ave. Christian Reformed Church. It was there where he was introduced to Janice Pauzenga, his wife to be. Jan was also a recent graduate of Calvin and was serving that evening. After a few dates, he proposed, she said yes, and their life together began. Sy and Jan immediately made their way to Southern California, with contracts to teach at Valley Christian Junior High, in Cerritos. In addition to a big move and new jobs, they became pregnant immediately, having their first child, a little more than 9 months after their wedding day.

Sy loved teaching and remembers nearly all his students by name and personality. He had nothing less than positive to say about each of them. That was his nature. Everyone had their strengths and potential. While teaching, Sy got his master’s degree in School Psychology from Long Beach State. He subsequently had job offers in Carmel and Upland. While hard to pass up a coastal opportunity, he and Jan chose to go where there was a familiar community in the Chino Valley.

Sy and Jan quickly became involved and were charter members of the Calvary Christian Reformed Church (now CrossPoint). Sy served multiple terms as Elder and Deacon. He also served on the Boards of Salem Christian Homes, as well as Inland Christian Home. Sy and Jan raised 4 children, each 3 years apart. He loved his kids, always encouraging and rarely directing. He and Jan worked hard to send all their children to the Christian School. It was clear, that while education was important, growing people who would model the love of Christ was the priority.

After his retirement from the school district, Sy and Jan loved to travel and were blessed with many excursions to faraway places with friends and family. They shared a love of culture, history, and meeting new people. Sit Sy next to a stranger, give him a minute, and they would be knee to knee, chatting it up. He loved people’s stories and continued being curious about others, all the way to the end.

In the two years after having a stroke, Sy’s body no longer allowed him to do the tinkering in his shop and gardening he always enjoyed. However, he never complained, always said he was blessed to be without pain and able to continue to converse, get around a little, and enjoy his family. Even in the more difficult times, he always knew how to be grateful and to think about others whose needs may be greater than his. He was a man of faith, more the “doing” kind than the “talking” kind. Remembering his favorite hymn, “What A Friend We Have in Jesus,” Sy would often say, everyone only needs one friend.

Sy will be dearly missed. He leaves behind his wife, Janice; four children, Todd (Joan) Westra, Brent (Candy) Westra, Sheila (Jared) Kerney, Allison Wade; 10 grandchildren, and 3 great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his brothers, Anthony “Tony” Westra, Andrew Westra, and his parents.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, July 22, 2023, at Crosspoint Christian Reformed Church in Chino at 11:00am with lunch to follow. Sy was buried at the Riverside National Cemetery with full military honors.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made “In Memory of Syros Westra” to the CrossPoint Christian Reformed Church building fund, Ontario Christian Schools, Salem Christian Home, or Inland Christian Home.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.Funerariadelangelchino.com for the Westra family.