Highland couple killed in fire remembered as devout youth ministers

Jack and Shirley Cygan danced at their grandson’s wedding on Saturday, but by Sunday morning, their family was gathered in their front yard, mourning them.

The Cygans were longtime Highland residents, both 85 years old, described by their priest, the Rev. Pat Jakel, as “good and faithful people.” And many are now grieving for them in the wake of their deaths Sunday morning from a house fire. Married 64 years, they died together only a few feet from escaping their smoke-filled home.

“They had belonged to the church all of their married life and prior,” Jakel said. For decades, the Cygans were involved with the Catholic Youth Organization, at their prior parish and at St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Highland, he said.

GUEST BOOK: Jack and Shirley Cygan

Even before Jakel came to St. Paul’s, he knew Jack Cygan from his extensive involvement in youth ministry, Jakel said.

“He was always positive, always smiling; he had a great love and affection for young people,” Jakel said. “He was a good mentor for them and a good example of faith for them.”

Jack also served as a lector and Eucharistic minister at St. Paul’s, encouraging people to stay involved, especially the youth, Jakel said.

The Cygans began what is now Cygan Delaney Catering in the 1960s. Some years ago they retired, and their daughter, Valerie Delaney, and her husband Daniel now run the business. Over the years they served everyone from local weddings to county officials to former Vice President Al Gore, according to their website.

And the family gathered Saturday for the wedding of the couple’s grandson. “Jack could hardly walk, but he could dance,” Jakel said.

Early Sunday morning, Jakel was notified by a parishioner that the Cygans had been found dead inside their home during a house fire. According to Highland Fire Chief Rick Bloemker, they were found within four feet of the front door, still dressed in their pajamas. Neither was breathing when firefighters pulled them out, and paramedics could not resuscitate them.

“Something woke them up. Somehow they got to the point where they were found,” Bloemker said.

Jakel said he went to the scene between services Sunday and gathered with the family members in prayer, and met with them later at their homes. “They’re doing pretty well, I think,” Jakel said. “They were glad that (Jack and Shirley) were able to see all their relatives at the wedding, and even though it’s sad to say, they said it was a blessing that they went up to heaven together.”

Jakel said he remembers the last thing Jack Cygan said to him. “He said, ‘Father Pat, you did a great job,’” Jakel said. “This is the type of person he was. He was always positive like that; certainly a strong family man, loved by his children and grandchildren, and a great mentor for a lot of people, especially the young people.”

As of Monday, it was still not known what started the fire that killed the Cygans. Bloemker said they have determined that it started in the basement, but thus far the cause is still listed as undetermined. Insurance companies and the state fire marshal may issue their own reports at some point in the future, Bloemker said.

The Cygans both likely died of smoke inhalation, according to a release from the Madison County Coroner’s Office Monday. No evidence of foul play was discovered during the autopsies, though routine toxicology tests are pending. The exact cause of death has not been prescribed pending the completion of laboratory tests and the cause and origin investigation of the fire, according to the coroner’s office.

Visitation for Jack and Shirley Cygan will be 2-8 p.m. Wednesday in St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Highland. A funeral Mass will be 10 a.m. Thursday at the church. Arrangements are being handled by Meridith Funeral Home in Highland.

This story was originally published November 30, 2015 at 3:10 PM with the headline "Highland couple killed in fire remembered as devout youth ministers."