Cy Wyse, 79, passed away Sept. 19 at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle. He was born March 13, 1928 in Savage, Mont., graduated from O’Dea High School in Seattle, and served in the US Army from 1946-1948.

Cy was a charter member of the Kingston Kiwanis Club, an accomplished carpenter and advocate for children in the North Kitsap area.

He was preceded in death by son, Riley Alan Wyse; and siblings, George, Jack, Bernie, Bridget, Dick, Johnny and Carryl.

Cy is survived by his wife of 59 years, Alma (Skaar) Wyse of Kingston; daughters, Stephanie Bento (John) and Kimberly Woodson (Dorian); brother, Leslie Wyse; sisters, Mary Ford, Dorothy Rankins (Clarence) and Margaret Hanson; grandchildren, Justin (Annika), Jeremy, Jessica, Carter and Mason; great-grandson, Kai; brother-in-law, James Donald; sisters-in-law, Gertrude Wyse and Alice Wyse; many nieces and nephews; and honorary children and grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 29 in Kingston Middle School. Memorial donations can be made to the Kingston Kiwanis Club or the Kingston Boys and Girls Club. Both can be sent to: PO Box 830 Kingston, WA 98346.

Wyse words: You can’t spell Community without Cy

By Wendy Tweten

(EDITOR’S NOTE: A longer version of this article was published in the Kingston View in 2002. The Kingston Community News is reprinting it to show the scope of Cy Wyse’s involvement and commitment to Kingston. It illustrates the multitude of improvements he spurred on and accomplished while building community participation, and gives advice, in his own words, on how to keep the momentum rolling along.)

Some of us are born in our hometown; others find one. More than three decades ago, Cy Wyse, Kingston’s most dedicated “native son,” adopted his present hometown with an affection and commitment that have never wavered.

If you’ve been around Kingston for long and haven’t heard of Cy Wyse, you haven’t been paying attention. For the better part of 30 years he has spearheaded and promoted North End activities from Hoop Shoots to Santa visits to various kids’ clubs. He serves as a volunteer advisor for the Kitsap County Public Facilities District, as well as the North Kitsap Schools Facilities District where he is on the planning committee of the much-anticipated Kingston High School.

In addition, he’s been a member of the Kingston Citizens’ Advisory Committee, Improvement Committee, Kingston Chamber of Commerce and Kingston Kiwanis, not to mention the Kingston Cove Yacht Club – and the man doesn’t even own a boat.

Never a wallflower, Wyse, with his brash talent for getting things done, has assisted, entertained, organized and, on occasion, irritated his way through more community service projects than a battalion of Boys Scouts. This dynamic community advocate believes that all citizens should be involved in at least one local program.

“Everybody has something to bring to the table,” he said. “It’s like voting: If you do you can bellyache; if not, don’t.”

Above all, Wyse is a family man. His wife, Alma, is his “one-woman support group” who patiently keeps the home fires burning as Wyse runs from one meeting to the next.

The couple’s two daughters, Stephanie Bento and Kim Woodson, moved their families to be near mom and dad. Stephanie, also known as the Wolfle Elementary office lady, says of her dad, “He really loves Kingston and wants it to be a good place for children.”

It was 1971 when, lured by frequent trips through town, Wyse moved his family to Kingston. A general contractor from Magnolia who often worked on Bainbridge, he was attracted to Kingston’s small-town ambience and miles of inexpensive waterfront.

Wyse built a home on the water in South Kingston. As waterfront and view land gradually became more valuable, Kingston grew along with the number of younger, full-time residents. Finally levies began to pass and the chamber of commerce became a viable group.

The most pressing need, as Wyse saw it, was providing activities for local kids. That’s just what he did; launching the Santa Club, and still going strong, the Greater Kingston Hip Hop Hoop Shoot was formed at the suggestion of Wyse’s grandson, Justin; but it was Wyse who got the ball rolling.

“We needed something for the older kids,” recalls Wyse.

Now a Kingston institution, the Hoop Shoot is managed by North Kitsap Parks and Recreation with the support of many local businesses and individuals. Wyse hopes to expand the event to twice a year at the new courts currently under construction by the Old Schoolhouse.

Nearly complete, these two new courts are a good example of Wyse’s go-get-‘em talent for making things happen. Seeing a need, as well as a good opportunity at a time when the county was making changes to the old Kola Kole playground, he went right to the phone. Kitsap County Commissioner Chris Endresen saw the benefits of Wyse’s proposal and gave her support to the project.

Much of Wyse’s work with kids takes place through schools. Involved at every age level, he reads with second- and third-graders at Wolfle Elementary, founded the Builders’ Club at Kingston Jr. High, and is a mentor with the high school’s NK Success (a program that exposes students to the world of resumes, job applications and interviews).

For seven years, Wyse’s Builders’ Club has been in the business of building character. The kids focus on community-service projects from collecting for local food banks to creating Halloween fun houses

Earlier this year, the county commissioners honored Kingston’s hardest working volunteer with an award for his years of dedication to area youth. Endresen, well acquainted with Wyse and his “bull-by-the-horns” style, recently appointed him to the volunteer board of the Kitsap County Public Facilities District.

“Cy is one of those people who cannot stop giving of themselves,” Endresen noted. “If there were more people like him, none of our children would be bored. The county can’t do it all; it’s people with Cy’s drive that help make things happen.”

Though the public tributes are appreciated, Wyse’s proudest moments come when the students themselves thank him for making a difference in their lives. What is Wyse’s secret to working with young people? “Preach all you need to,” he advises. “But then listen to their side – it’s always worked for me.”

Wyse has been working to bring a Boys & Girls Club to Kingston. The club would provide daily after-school activities including, for example, computers, athletics, chess, etc.

What changes would Wyse like to see in his little town? A new, bigger Kingston Community Center is on the top of Wyse’s wish list. He would, however, like to see the old KCC building retained for overflow space, or for future library expansion. Wyse also encourages more “West Kingston-type roadwork” around town to make the business center more attractive and easier to explore.

Wyse, continuing to recover from a health set-back earlier this year, knows there are advantages to living in a warmer – and drier – climate. But he refuses to consider making his home any place but Kingston: “Alma and I could live anywhere, but this is our hometown; and I’m a hometown boy.”