Store owner liked being his own boss

10/20/2005

Ralph M. Cybulski, 63, who worked in local fisheries for most of his life and owned a Point Place bait and tackle shop, died of heart failure Sunday in Naples Community Hospital, Naples, Fla., after heart surgery.

From the 1970s until 1990, Mr. Cybulski, formerly of Summit Street, owned Ralph's Bait and Tackle, which also sold fish. He'd worked for fisheries since he was 15 years old, and decided to try independence, his daughter, Amanda Cybulski, said.

"He figured he could do it for himself, so he opened his own bait store," his daughter said. "He liked helping the customers. He knew everyone who came in pretty well."

Before that, he worked at Komorny Bros. Fishery on Summit.

Tired of Ohio winters, he moved to Florida in 1990 and continued to work for seafood businesses.

Mr. Cybulski grew up on 131st Street and was a graduate of Woodward High School. His first job in the trade was part time at Hosko Fisheries on Water Street, cutting and scaling the commercial catches of perch, mullet, catfish, bass, carp, and pickerel. He later worked in Hosko's retail operation.

He was a veteran of the Ohio National Guard and formerly attended St. John the Baptist Church.

He worked long hours, his daughter said, but in his free time enjoyed the music of Neil Diamond and the Beach Boys and following NASCAR.

"He was always laughing and joking," his daughter said.

Surviving are his daughter, Amanda Cybulski; brothers, Clement, Jr. and Mark Cybulski, and sisters, Cynthia Crossgrove and Nancy Cybulski.

There will be no visitation. Memorial services are scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Saturday in the David R. Jasin Funeral Home.

The family suggests tributes to a charity of the donor's choice.