Jeffrey Lagyak

Jeffrey Allen Lagyak, 54, of Harrisburg, PA, passed away on June 10, 2024, suddenly.

Jeff was born March 5th, 1970, in Harrisburg, PA to Nancy Carl Lagyak and John P. “The Colonel” Lagyak. Jeffrey was an esteemed chef in the Harrisburg area and worked at the Hilton, the Radisson, Greystone Public House and Dodge City where he loved all of his Hospitality Family. He proudly served in the Army from 2003-2020 alongside his “battle buddies.” He has been titled Junior Army Chef of the Year 2005 and Senior Army Chef of the Year 2006 in the Military Culinary Arts Competition.

He wasn’t a typical man, so he shouldn’t get a typical obituary. Jeff or Sarge (we like to call him) was a cute kid who looked like Ralphie from A Christmas Story. This man was a serialdater known to bait his women with his incredible food. It worked on his first wife and resulted in two beautiful daughters. Fortunately, with the second wife, no other children were born, but he did gain three amazing stepchildren.

His resume spoke of one without focus- I mean, who is a chef, a soldier, and then a mailman? But you couldn’t be more wrong. His passion for the things he loved was undisputed and one of his most magnetic and contagious qualities. You couldn’t escape his passion whether it was Notre Dame football, Cowboys, perfect steaks, Acura's, or card games of 500 Rummy. Wasn’t much of an outdoors guy, but he managed to catch a few fish in his time. Mostly Sunny’s. He won’t admit his kindergarten-aged daughters caught more fish on their Barbie fishing rods. He also wouldn’t admit that the Cowboys will never see another Super Bowl proving him to be their “Most Loyal Fan.”

He always said he knew he’d die young, and we always hoped he was wrong. Well, here we are, remembering, laughing, crying, and gathering to mourn and celebrate the Dad, Son, Chef, Soldier, and Husband that he was.
He is survived by his two daughters, Taylor Marie and Jenna Marissa Lagyak, his wife Sarah Elizabeth Lagyak, his three stepchildren Abby, Sarah and Bobby Hayward, his mother Nancy Carl Lagyak, and his brother John P. Lagyak, III.  He was preceded in death by his father John P. Lagyak and his infant sister Joanne Louise Lagyak.

Memorial Services will be held on Friday, June 21, 2024 at 11:00 am in Wiedeman Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc., 357 S. Harrisburg St., Oberlin.  Family and friends are invited to a visitation from 10:00 am - 11:00 am in the funeral home.  Burial in Indiantown Gap National Cemetery will be at a later date.