Mr. Sy Phetda, 71, of 142 Prospect Ave., Ilion, passed away Sunday morning, Nov. 24, 2002, at his home. He was born Aug. 1, 1931, in Laos. He had attended school in Laos with the Buddhist Monks. Sy was a captain in the Laotian Army for 23 years until the Communists took over his country. He came to the United States in 1979, sponsored by the Herkimer Baptist Church under the direction of the Rev. David Kirkpatrick. Sy was a kind, gentle man who loved his family. He enjoyed cooking, fishing, playing cards and visiting his many Laotian friends, who were extended family. Sy became a United States citizen in July of 1986. He retired from AAR Engine Components in 1996, where he was a sandblaster. He was of the Buddhist faith and attended the Buddhist Temple in Castle Creek, N.Y. He is survived by his daughter, Mrs. Wayne (Prapri, Moon) Reitz of East Herkimer; one son, Chanthanome Pheta of Washington, D.C.; his loving companion of many years, Joy Zientara of Ilion; four grandchildren, Mrs. Leigh (Karen) Dillard, a captain in the Air Force stationed in New Mexico; Kathy Reitz of Rochester, Robert Reitz and wife Melissa, a lieutenant in the Air Force stationed in North Dakota, and Tyler Sy Phetda of Maryland; three great-grandchildren, Lucas, Joshua and Briana; one sister in Laos; also nieces, nephews and cousins. Family and friends are invited to attend calling hours at the Enea Family Funeral Home, Main Street between Ilion and Frankfort, on Tuesday evening, Nov. 26, from 6-8 p.m. The Rev. David Kirkpatrick will conduct a short prayer service at 7:30 p.m. Sy's body will then be cremated and entombed at the Buddhist Temple in Castle Creek, N.Y.