JOHN STOYKO

1989 INDUCTION TO THE RHODE ISLAND AQUATIC HALL OF FAME

John Stoyko was an outstanding swimmer in the 1930’s representing the Woonsocket YMCA.  He is best remembered for his achievements as coach and aquatic director at the Woonsocket YMCA from the early 1940’s into the early 1960’s.  In 1952, Mr. Stoyko was honored in recognition of his “unselfish service and devotion” to aquatic instruction over a period of several years.  In 1958 he became the first layman ever to be appointed as YMCA field agent for aquatics in the New England area.  On January 14, 1972 the aquatic community was saddened to hear the unfortunate news of his untimely death.

While serving the YMCA community he developed a swimming class for polio victims, one of the first handicapped aquatic classes in this area.

During World War II, Mr. Stoyko instructed at boys’ clubs in Greater Boston and taught warfare aquatics to over 4000 sailors.  

One of his pupils was Dick Fadgen, 1983 inductee, who became a national swimming champion and holder of the world’s breaststroke record.

John was the volunteer water safety chairman for the Woonsocket Chapter, American Red Cross, a member of the Rhode Island Coaches and Officials Association, and a charter member of the Rhode Island Interscholastic Officials Association.  The Interscholastic Officials present annually a  sportsmanship award in his honor to a high school team that represents the traits Mr. Stoyko exemplified:  sportsmanship, spirit, fair play, and unselfish service and devotion.