Randolph, VT – Napoleon Francis Pietryka passed away on December 2, 2025, one day before his ninety-seventh birthday. He was born on December 3, 1928, in West Rutland VT, to John Pietryka and Mary Wystepek Pietryka. He attended St. Stanislaus Elementary School and graduated from West Rutland High School in 1946. Prior to his enlistment in the US Marine Corps February 4, 1949, he worked as a brakeman for the Rutland Railroad. In 1950, he married his high school sweetheart, Agnes McCormack, with whom he shared seventy-five and one-half wonderful years. Upon his discharge from the Marine Corps, he graduated from Tri-State College (currently known as Trine University) in Angola, Indiana, with a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering. Later, he earned a Master in Education degree from Saint Michael’s College in Winooski, VT.
Nap worked for Sprague Electric Company in North Adams, MA, for a while, before switching into the field of education. He taught school in Bennington and Rutland, eventually moving to Randolph, where he taught in the Mechanical Engineering Technology Department at Vermont Technical College.
He loved family, hunting, fishing and gardening, both flowers and vegetables. He maintained his home completely, with his carpentry, electrical, and plumbing skills. He loved telling about traveling to do projects at his children’s homes in Oregon, California, Louisiana, Washington DC, and Rhode Island. In his younger years, he produced a multitude of woodworking projects for his children, and later on his grandchildren.
During his working years, he was an active member of the former Sts. Donatian and Rogatian Church, serving on its Pastoral Council and as a lector and teacher of religion.
He retired from VTC in 1988 as a professor in the Mechanical Engineering Technology Department. He immersed himself in volunteer work in the Randolph community, working tirelessly for the Randolph Area Food Shelf, REECH, Gifford Medical Center and driving patients to and from the Veteran’s Hospital in White River Junction and Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center. He also drove for Meals on Wheels for a time and was a board member of the Randolph Area Senior Citizen’s Center. Until the end, Nap enjoyed breakfast out once a week with “The Romeos” (Retired Old Men Eating Out), a group of his retired men friends.
Nap could always be seen on Town Meeting Day helping voters at the computerized ballot drop box. For their many years of service, the FY 2018 Town Report was dedicated to Nap and Agnes; and in 2019, Nap and Agnes were the Grand Marshals of the annual Fourth of July parade in Randolph.
Nap was an active member of the American Legion Post 9 in Randolph, where he served as 1st Vice Commander, Adjutant and Chaplain. He founded the American Legion Honor Guard, which buried any veteran who desired at the Veteran’s Cemetery in Randolph Center. For this endeavor, Nap was recognized as a “Super Senior” by WCAX-TV; and in 2015, the Maynard-Pietryka Department of Vermont Color Guard Award was named in Nap’s honor.
Nap and Agnes were named the Randolph Rotary Club’s 2003 Citizens of the Year. They were honored for their volunteerism by the Randolph Rotary Club when they were awarded the Paul Harris Fellowship Award. A donation in their honor was given to the Rotary Foundation, an award which gave Nap satisfaction that he’d made a difference in life.
Nap is survived by his wife, Agnes, and his six children: Michele Pagan and husband John of East Dorset, VT, Therese Quigley and husband Robert of Warwick, RI, Matthew of Hardwick, VT, Paul and wife Lynn of Sandwich, MA, Jean Copeland and husband Neil of Port Charlotte, FL and Anne of Randolph, VT. He is also survived by Gerry Brucia of Ruston, LA, and grandchildren Peter, Sara, and Liam Quigley and Sharon and Spencer Pietryka, great-grandchildren Maeve Quigley, Aiden, Summer and Fiona Kirk and Eamon Quigley. Many nieces and nephews also survive. Nap is predeceased by his great-grandson Daniel John Quigley, his two brothers, Stanley and Francis, and his sister Gladys Blicharz.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Randolph American Legion Post 9 or the Randolph Area Food Shelf.
There will be no calling hours. At a later date, memorial services will be held at Saint Anthony Church in Bethel, VT. Burial to follow at the Vermont Veteran’s Cemetery in Randolph Center, VT, with a reception to follow next door at the Langevin House. Arrangements are in the care of Day Funeral Home in Randolph, VT.
Click here to sign the guest book or honor their memory with flowers, donations, or other heartfelt tributes