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William Szychoski, 71, civic leader

William W. Szychoski held almost every title in Beverly but mayor in the last 40 years. Previously a city councilman, firefighter, and police officer, as well as a Burlington County freeholder, he most recently owned and operated Holiday Ice Cream & Cafe in Edgewater Park.

William W. Szychoski held almost every title in Beverly but mayor in the last 40 years.

Previously a city councilman, firefighter, and police officer, as well as a Burlington County freeholder, he most recently owned and operated Holiday Ice Cream & Cafe in Edgewater Park.

The parlor not only won many annual awards for best ice cream in Burlington County, but it also was a haven for charity organizations.

Mr. Szychoski, 71, died after a fall Saturday, July 17, at his home.

Fund-raisers for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation of South Jersey and Autism Speaks were frequent events at Holiday Ice Cream. Mr. Szychoski even catered to the diabetic with sugar-free ice cream and toppings, his daughter Lea Marter said.

"Dedicated to community service, that was the essence of Bill," said his wife, Susan.

For the last year, Mr. Szychoski had been on radio with Burlington City Mayor James Fazzone, taking calls from residents and discussing community issues.

"He was a businessman, but he was the type who touched a lot of people," Fazzone said.

Mr. Szychoski also produced radio commercials for area businesses.

"He had that deep, calm, Walter Cronkite-like radio voice," Fazzone said.

Mr. Szychoski was born and raised in Burlington City, graduating from Burlington City High School in 1957.

After high school, Mr. Szychoski worked at RCA's missile and radar division in Moorestown, where he met Susan Gross. They married in 1962.

About a year later, Mr. Szychoski went to work in the insurance industry with his father.

He was elected to Beverly's City Council in 1966, serving until he was elected freeholder in 1973.

As a freeholder, Mr. Szychoski helped establish the county's first alcoholism treatment center, his wife said.

After his three-year term as freeholder, Mr. Szychoski joined the Beverly police force, which his friend Gene DiFilippo led as chief, his wife said.

When Holiday Ice Cream, a staple of Edgewater Park for several decades, went up for sale in 1985, Mr. Szychoski bought it.

"He had always wanted to own his own business," his wife said.

Mr. Szychoski's ice cream parlor soon became famous for its portions.

"He thought people should get their money's worth, so he would serve these giant cones," Marter said.

When the business moved across the street to a larger location a couple of years later, it added fun flavors and ice cream cakes to the menu.

"There would be three lines, each with 75 to 100 people deep," his daughter said.

Mr. Szychoski didn't mind the crowds, though, because it was almost always a fun and happy environment.

"When people come into an ice cream parlor, they are already in a good mood or looking for a pick me up," he said in a 1996 Inquirer article.

In addition to his wife and daughter, Mr. Szychoski is survived by a son, William; two grandchildren; and two brothers.

Services will be private.