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Elizabeth D. LeVan, churchwoman was active with Order of Eastern Star

May 12, 2013, 7:47 pm
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March 24, 1921 – May 10, 2013

Elizabeth D. LeVan, of the Town of Tonawanda, who served as treasurer of her Order of the Eastern Star chapter for 30 years, died Friday in ElderWood at Oakwood nursing home in Amherst following a short illness. She was 92.

Born Elizabeth DeRemer in Williamsport, Pa., she was the third of nine children and the eldest daughter of Oran and Mamie DeRemer. She graduated from the Williamsport Area High School, attended secretarial school and worked in a sewing factory during World War II in support of American servicemen.

She married Wilbur LeVan in 1942 in Pennsylvania, and they moved to the Buffalo area in the mid-1950s. After raising her three children, she worked for Hengerer’s department store, which later became Sibley’s, for 18 years, retiring in 1986.

Mrs. LeVan had been a member of Kenmore United Methodist Church since 1955, serving as a Sunday school teacher and as a member of the Keystone Class.

She belonged to the Order of the Eastern Star since 1942, and was treasurer for 30 years. She served in the stations of Ruth, Marshall and Chaplain, was Worthy Matron in 1969 and 1991, and was Grand Officer of New York State as Associate Grand Warder in 1997.

Mrs. LeVan enjoyed needlework and crocheting, and won several awards for her floral designs and ceramics.

Survivors include two sons, Stephen and Mark; a daughter, Kay Escuyer; two sisters, Esther Tudor and Margaret Paulhamus; and a brother, Earl DeRemer.

Services will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday in Kenmore United Methodist Church, 32 Landers Road, Kenmore.
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Joseph J. Maciejewski, retired financial executive

May 12, 2013, 7:47 pm
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March 16, 1942 – May 8, 2013

Joseph J. Maciejewski of Alden, a retired executive for Household Finance Corp. who was active in his church, died Wednesday in Hospice Buffalo, Cheektowaga, after a lengthy illness. He was 71.

Born in Sloan, Mr. Maciejewski was a 1959 graduate of Bishop Ryan High School and earned an associate degree in accounting from Bryant & Stratton Business Institute in 1961.

After serving in the Army, he went to work for Household Finance Corp., retiring as an assistant vice president in 1992. During the early 1990s, he served on the board of directors of Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Buffalo.

He was an active member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, a member of its Holy Name Society and a Eucharistic minister.

An avid golfer, Mr. Macijewski was a member of the Men’s Club of Elma Meadows Golf Course, and was known as “Good Golfer Joe.” More recently, he was a member at Diamond Hawk Golf Course.

Mr. Maciejewski was described as a devoted family man with a kind heart and quick wit.

Survivors include his wife of 49 years, the former Justine Walkowski; two daughters, Gwen Yoder and Julie Kirschner; two sons, Daniel and Scott; and two brothers, Ronald Marten and Jerome.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10 a.m. today in St. John the Baptist Church, 2021 Sandridge Road, Alden.
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Camille Bailey Severyn, Spanish teacher, avid gardener

May 12, 2013, 7:47 pm
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July 21, 1944 – Dec. 9, 2012

A memorial Mass for Camille Bailey Severyn, a teacher of Spanish and an avid gardener, will be offered at 9:30 a.m. Thursday in St. Christopher’s Catholic Church, 2600 Niagara Falls Blvd., Town of Tonawanda.

Ms. Severyn died unexpectedly Dec. 9 in her Amherst home. She was 68.

Born in the Buffalo area, she grew up in Cheektowaga and attended Villa Maria High School. She earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Spanish from the University at Buffalo, where she was Homecoming Queen in 1965, and was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship to study in Peru in 1968. She also received a U.S. government grant to study in Cuba.

She lectured in Spanish at UB, Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia and Erie County College South Campus in Orchard Park.

She lived briefly in Ohio following her marriage to Robert Bailey and received a master’s degree in international affairs from Ohio University.

She taught Spanish at Mill Middle School in the Williamsville district, retiring in 1999. In retirement, she continued teaching Spanish at Catholic elementary schools, including Infant of Prague in Cheektowaga and St. James in Depew. She also tutored adults in Spanish and worked as a literary volunteer and in the UB Host Family Program.

She was a member of the Forest Stream Garden Club and tended some of the public gardens on Main Street in Williamsville. She also volunteered at many local theaters.

An accomplished accordion and piano player, she played at the Amherst Senior Center, where she was a member, and with the Amherst Saxophone Quartet.

She traveled extensively in Europe and South America. She often designed and made her own clothes.
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Ann Billittier, co-owned Chef’s Restaurant

May 13, 2013, 9:01 am
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April 22, 1930 – May 11, 2013

Ann Billittier of Hamburg, co-owner of the popular Chef’s restaurant at Seneca and Chicago streets and devoted to causes that helped the children and less fortunate of the community, died Saturday in Tidewell Hospice in Sarasota, Fla., after a short illness. She was 83.

A native of Buffalo, the former Ann Battaglia worked beside her husband, Louis J. Billittier, to build Chef’s into a family restaurant that became a favorite meeting spot for local political leaders and other notables. Mr. Billittier died in August 2000, and the restaurant now is operated by the couple’s children, Mary Beth and Louis John Billittier.

Ann Billittier managed Chef’s on her own in the 1950s while her husband served in the Korean War.

In addition to building their business together for decades, the Billittiers were devoted to helping the mentally ill, the physically challenged and the children of the community. Ann Billittier became a founding member of the Louis J. Billittier Foundation, named after her late husband, which supported groups as diverse as Buffalo Hearing and Speech Center, Bornhava, Variety Club of Buffalo, Roswell Park Cancer Institute and others.

In a 1995 article for “Living Prime Time,” Mr. Billittier commented that he and his wife “were in grammar school together. I remember putting her pigtails in the inkwell at school. I remember getting into trouble for it, too.”

Later, despite the demands of their growing business, Mrs. Billittier continued to honor every Sunday as family day, closing the restaurant and keeping the family together on that day.

In March 2013, Ann Billittier and the Billittier family were honored by the Castiglia family at the annual St. Joseph’s Day Italian American dinner. At the dinner, Charles Castiglia, the owner of Lakeside Funeral Home in Hamburg, said that what made Ann Billittier and her family so special is not only the work they did for the community, but also their commitment to family.

She was known as a fixture at charity events, and this past month she joined her daughter Mary Beth in support of her son Lou’s chairmanship of the Buffalo Hearing and Speech Center Gala at the Seneca Niagara Event Center. In May 2012, the family joined together to support Bornhava school for children with special needs and was active in the live auction for her granddaughter Jenna. She had also been a member of the Variety Club Women and was active behind the scenes for two decades wearing the familiar red coat as she collected telethon pledges. She also joined the family for the presentation of the Louis J. Billittier Award to help area business leaders, and dinners in support of the Franciscan Center.

During a surprise honor for the Rev. Joe Bayne at a Billittier Foundation golf event the priest said, “Annie is true leader and inspiration.”

In February 2011, she and the family gathered to witness the unveiling of “Carvings for a Cause,” a statue made in honor of Lou Billittier from trees left from the devastating 2006 October Surprise storm.

Mrs. Billittier was a member of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Athol Springs.

Survivors include her son and daughter.

Funeral arrangements, being handled by the Lakeside Funeral Home of Hamburg, are incomplete.
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Area Deaths

May 13, 2013, 4:43 pm
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John E. Agnew, of Hamburg, died May 9.

Norma J. (Bracken) Bonilla, of Buffalo, died May 9.

Myrtle E. (Schwedt) Brenon, of Amherst, died May 10.

Rose Cumbo, 88, died May 5.

Patricia Ann (Milano) Camizzi, died May 10.

Daniel T. Curry, 65, of Kenmore, Army veteran, died May 9.

Juanita C. (Cameron) DeBerry, 89, died May 8.

Helen J. (Buettner) Ehrenreich, died May 8.

Irene M. (Kopec) Granica, of Hamburg, died May 9.

Honey (Goldberg) Gutfield, of Warminister, Pa., died May 12.

Catherine “Kaye” (Bouschbacher) Hall, died May 11.

Alma H. Kedzierska, of Elma, died May 10.

Shack Maston, died May 7.

Mary T. (Biesik) Noble, of Depew, died May 10.

Chester C. Nicometi, of Buffalo, Army veteran of Korean War, died May 12.

Irene A. (Barus) Nowak, died May 12.

Charles A. Pitz III, retiree of Buffalo Fire Deparment, died May 8.

Dolores “Dee” (Kubiak) Rinaldi, 81, first woman to serve as mayor of North Collins, died May 11.

Estelle O. (Durka) Roesser, died May 11.

Stephen F. Sass, of North Tonawanda, died May 11.

Roy E. Thompson, of West Falls, died May 8.

Florence B. (Baumann) Volker, died May 11.

Carleton S. White, of Hamburg, died May 8.
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Murray Yosim, owned Bernstone’s Cigar Store

May 13, 2013, 7:43 pm
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Nov. 24, 1921 – May 10, 2013

Services for Murray Yosim, who owned and operated Bernstone’s Cigar Store for 35 years, were held Sunday in Amherst Memorial Chapel, Getzville.

Mr. Yosim died Friday in Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital, Amherst, after a brief illness. He was 91.

Bernstone’s Cigar Store at Main and Swan streets was a mecca for tobacco connoisseurs who were looking for that special cigar, pipe or tobacco blend, according to his daughter Ronna Kluger of Toronto.

“It was the go-to place in Buffalo if you wanted a quality pipe or cigar,” said Kluger. “His store remained open and thriving during the building of the NFTA Light Rail Rapid Transit.”

Mr. Yosim blended his own tobacco and had an extensive pipe collection, recalled Kluger.

Mr. Yosim, who lived in Williamsville for almost 40 years, was a member of Temple Beth Zion.

Survivors include his wife, the former Adelle Newman; two daughters, Kluger and Pamela Yosim; and a sister, Claire Kay.
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Richard “Papa Rich” Fierle, a member of Lake View founding families

May 13, 2013, 7:44 pm
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May 30, 1926 – May 10, 2013

Richard J. Fierle, whose family was among the founders of the hamlet of Lake View, died Friday in St. John Baptist/Hospice Buffalo after a brief illness. He was 86.

Known as “Papa Rich,” Mr. Fierle was born at the family homestead – one of nine children – and was a lifelong resident of Lake View. He and three friends developed Hanley Drive, where Mr. Fierle built the home in which he lived for 58 years.

His parents were among the founding families responsible for the formation and construction of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church and its school, as well as the creation of Lake View Volunteer Fire Company.

Mr. Fierle had a 42-year career as a territory salesman for Eaton Equipment Corp., a wholesale distributor of outdoor power lawn and garden equipment. He developed many close relationships with his customers, who remained friends.

During his tenure with Eaton Equipment, Mr. Fierle twice was named National Salesman of the Year by the Toro Company, competing against hundreds of salesmen throughout the country. He won a Limited Edition 1978 Chevrolet Corvette from Toro for attaining the largest percentage of sales increase that year.

Mr. Fierle, one of his brothers and a friend built and managed the ROBO car wash at the Athol Springs traffic circle. He and several other people also bought the property and built the recreation facilities at Lake View Burke Road playground, which include a baseball diamond, tennis courts and skating pond.

Up until the day he died, baseball was a way of life for Mr. Fierle, who played on several Lake View championship teams during his younger days.

He was an active, lifelong member of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, where he served as an usher, was a bingo volunteer and member of the Holy Name Society. He also was a member of Lake Shore Lions Club, Lake View Volunteer Fire Company, and a life member and past president of Lake View Community Association.

Mr. Fierle was a 40-year golfing member of Wanakah Country Club.

He enjoyed hunting and playing cards at his hunting camp in Great Valley. He spent winters at his vacation home in Stuart, Fla.

His wife of 44 years, Maureen C. Miller Fierle, died in 1996.

Survivors include three sons, Gregory R., Jeffery S. and Dwight G.; a daughter, Laureen Saramak; and a sister, Joan Duffy.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10 a.m. today in Blessed John Paul II Church, formerly Our Lady of Perpetual Help, 2052 Lake View Road.
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Marcus R. Mabee, real estate agent, civic leader

May 13, 2013, 7:45 pm
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March 8, 1936 – March 12, 2013

A memorial service for Marcus Richard “Dick” Mabee, a well-known Buffalo real estate agent and longtime Elmwood Village resident, will be at 2 p.m. May 24 in Church of the Ascension, North Street at Linwood Avenue.

Mr. Mabee died March 12 in Stuart, Fla., after a two-decade battle against Parkinson’s disease. He was 77.

Born in Albany, he was descended from early Dutch settlers in the upstate area, a proud distinction that inspired his lifelong love of New York State history. Before moving to Florida in 2001, he donated much of his extensive book collection to the 1700s-era Mabee Farm Historic Site in Rotterdam Village, the oldest standing home in the Mohawk Valley.

After moving to Buffalo as a child, he attended public schools, graduating from Bennett High School in 1954. He attended the University of Buffalo. During the 1960s, he was a salesman for Rugby sportswear in New York, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Texas, and trained new sales employees in those and other states. He served in the Army Reserve.

Mr. Mabee later owned Scrimshander Antiques in Allentown, which featured folk art, including furniture, painting and sculpture, and was especially known for its American glassware.

In 1972, he joined the Gurney Becker & Bourne real estate agency, where he reconnected with childhood friend James Bourne and, over a nearly 30-year career in residential and commercial sales, developed a reputation as an expert in architecturally significant properties. He retired as a vice president in 2001.

He was a past member of the Buffalo Board of Realtors and the city Landmark and Preservation Board, where he headed the committee that set boundaries and guidelines for preservation districts. He served on the Buffalo & Erie County Historical Society members advisory board.

Mr. Mabee was a board member of Forever Elmwood, which grew into the Elmwood Village Association. A collector of Mark Twain early editions, he also focused on state history and his family’s genealogy. He was a member of Friends of the Mabee House and, after moving to Stuart, became a docent and storyteller at the Elliott Museum.

His many interests included music, travel and fishing, particularly in Ontario’s Temagami region.

“Dick was easygoing, entertaining and knowledgeable,” characteristics that attracted a wide range of friends, James Bourne said.

A lifelong Episcopalian, Mr. Mabee was a vestryman and senior warden at Church of the Ascension and was a lay representative of the Western New York Diocese at a national church convention.

Survivors include his wife, Johanna Koch Mabee; a son, Marcus Jacob “Jake”; and a sister, Nancy Mabee Flagg.
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Louise Hutt, former Buffalonian was 107

May 13, 2013, 7:45 pm
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July 3, 1905 – April 4, 2013

Louise Hutt, a former teacher and dairy store owner who was active in the community, died April 4 at her home in Sun City, Fla. She was 107.

She never suffered from a chronic illness and never had surgery. Mrs. Hutt played golf into her 80s, swam throughout her 90s and was still playing bridge when she was 105.

Born in an apartment on Niagara Street in Black Rock, she attended Buffalo Schools 20 and 50. She was a teenager during World War I and lived through the flu epidemic of 1918, although her aunt and uncle died within a day of each other.

She earned a degree in elementary teaching from Buffalo Normal School, where she joined Sigma Sigma Sigma sorority.

The former Louise Fraser graduated in 1925 and taught in Schools 45 and 66. She gave up the job when she married Lester Hutt in 1928.

The couple raised their family in Kenmore, where they lived for 40 years. Mr. Hutt was president of Hutt’s Dairy in Riverside. During World War II, the dairy bought a dairy store near the Bell Aircraft and Westinghouse factories.

At the request of the government, the store stayed open 24 hours a day to accommodate the three shifts of workers at the plants during World War II. Mrs. Hutt spent 12 hours a day supervising the store.

She was a leader in many community organizations, and co-chairwoman of the fundraising drive to build Kenmore Mercy Hospital, the first hospital in Buffalo’s northern suburbs.

She was chairwoman of the Kenmore division of the Community Chest, president of the Alumna Chapter of her sorority, a volunteer at Buffalo General and Kenmore Mercy hospitals and a member of the Kenmore Girl Scouts board and the Erie County Girl Scouts Council.

She was president of the Altar Guild at the Episcopal Church of the Advent and of the Episcopal Church Home Associate Board of Managers. At the conclusion of her term on the Church Home board, she was instrumental in combining the men’s and women’s boards into one joint board.

She and her husband moved to Sun City in 1966, where he died in 1968.

Survivors include a son, Peter B., and a daughter, Sally Nelson.
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Robert S. Vidler, Jr. dies; helped turn 5 & 10 into E. Aurora landmark

May 14, 2013, 10:39 am
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Nov. 9, 1924 - April 26, 2013

At a time when five and dime stores were going out of business, Robert S. Vidler Jr. and his younger brother, Edward, took over their father’s dry goods emporium on Main Street in East Aurora. Over decades, the brothers turned Vidler’s 5 & 10 into a beloved icon.

Late last month, Mr. Vidler died at his home in Ithaca. He was 88.

The Vidler brothers had worked to keep their business strong and their customers happy.

They expanded their space for toys, lunch boxes, stationery, sewing supplies and kitchen goods by buying three store fronts when those businesses closed, said Sue Rakow, his daughter.

“It was just a real deep desire to keep the store going that their father had begun,” she said. “Both he and his brother loved the store. They loved East Aurora.”

Rakow grew up working in the store with her sisters and cousins, including Beverly and Donald Vidler, who now manage the business. They were all encouraged to help customers and would often take the time to write letters for customers with developmental disabilities who came from a nearby home.

“I remember him sitting in the back. We’d run back and talk to him. He was a big part of our growing up,” she said. “He knew everybody, talked to everyone. It was like a community center. His people skills and his caring and kindness were his overriding qualities.”

As a young man, Vidler attended Penn State University for one year before enlisting in the Navy during World War II and started officer training at Cornell University’s Hotel School.

He was a supply officer on a submarine chaser, earned the rank of lieutenant and in subsequent years took charge of organizing shipmate reunions.

He served on the Village Board for several terms and was an active member of the Chamber of Commerce. He also loved the Welland Canal in Ontario and kept track of the ships he saw go through it.

He delighted in working at the annual Kiwanis Club chicken barbecues in Hamlin Park – so much so that the family procured the recipe for the dish so that Rakow could continue to make it for him once he moved to Ithaca in 2004 with Rakow’s stepmother, Alice Jean.

“We’d make the East Aurora chicken barbecue for him, and he loved it,” said Rakow.

He is survived by his brother Edward and two daughters, Rakow and Phebe Cook. His daughter Ann Fates died at 63 on April 19, a week before he did.

A burial for Vidler with military honors is planned July 12 in Sampson Veterans Cemetery, Romulus.

A reception is being planned for July 13 in East Aurora.
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Area Deaths

May 15, 2013, 4:17 pm
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Frances (Anderson) Alston, died May 9.

Robert L. Baker, of Williamsville, died May 12.

Matthew Michael Beck III, owner of Beck Development and Integrity Homes, died May 12.

Ann P. (Battaglia) Billittier, of Hamburg, died May 11.

Sean J. Boyle, of Orchard Park, died May 9.

Donald H. Cameron, 87, of Tonawanda, WWII veteran, died May 10.

Salvatore F. “Sam” Cappellino, died May 14.

Woodrow F. “Woodie” Christ, of Hamburg, died May 14.

John H. Cimerin, 65, died May 12.

Harold H. Connor, died May 14.

Sally B. Cordero, 72, died May 10.

Salustino H. “Jerry” Cordero, of Tonawanda, died May 13.

Wilbert Covington, died May 10.

Gerald J. Culhane, died May 7.

Mildred F. (Pignataro) Crimi, of Tonawanda, died May 13.

John Joseph DeMarco Jr., 77, Grand Island, died May 8.

Marianna DiMarco, 92, formerly of Buffalo, died May 13.

Benjamin Doyle, died May 8.

Madaleine (Rice) Gaume, of the Town of Tonawanda, died May 13.

Joseph R. “Joey” Gentile-Giovino, 24, of Cheektowaga, died May 14.

Stella “Shirley” Gill, 95, of Kenmore, died May 5.

Karen M. (Colby) Graham, of Lancaster, died May 14.

Dr. Samuel Graziano, 89, WWII Navy veteran, family practitioner for 51 years, died May 13.

Donald R. Greene, 76, formerly of Buffalo and West Seneca, Army Air Forces veteran, retired credit manager at Sears, Roebuck and Co., died Jan. 31.

Louise M. (Heinz) Gress, of West Seneca, died May 14.

David P. Guest, of Angola, died May 13.

Richard J. Gulczewski Sr., died May 11.

Winifred Halasz, 96, died April 3.

Teresa “Terry” J. Hutchinson, of Amherst, died May 12.

Gertrude (Dynarski) Ilecki, died May 12.

Callista M. (Williams) Jackson, 46, real estate agent, died May 11.

Paul R. Johnson, of Orchard Park, died May 10.

Harry P. Kowalski, of Angola, died May 11.

Emily H. (Swiatosz) Krazmien, of Buffalo, died May 14.

Albert A. Laufer, of Tonawanda, retired steamfitter, died May 14.

Kevin Norman Lawkowski, 44, died May 12.

Barbara L. Lohr, of Angola, died May 12.

Tony Massaro, of Hamburg, died May 12.

Josephine “Joann” A. (Arnone) Madigan, died May 13.

Thelma M. Mitchell, died May 12.

Ronald H. Mrozik Sr., of Alden, died May 13.

Spencer Howard Nease, 88, formerly of Buffalo, WWII Army veteran, died April 27.

Rebecca Ruth (Herzog) Nelson, died May 13.

Chester C. Nicometi, of Buffalo, died May 12.

Milton M. Pankiewicz, 82, Marine veteran, retired from Verizon, died May 12.

Terese B. (Pesany) Prigg, 90, died May 12.

Loretta (LoDestro) Parks, 91, died May 11.

Stanley F. Reczek, 82, formerly of Buffalo, retired plumber/pipefitter, died May 12.

Paul Reger, 75, of Grand Island, died May 11.

Sarah Rizzo, died May 12.

Richard “Big R” H. Roberts Sr., of Blasdell, died May 13.

Elisabeth “Liesl” Schiegg, of Lewiston, 90, died May 7.

Claudia Seay, died May 10.

Robert L. Spoelstra, of Ransomville, died May 12.

Stephen Tanchak, 93, died May 11.

Michael G. Ubaldini, 89, died May 12.

Thomas A. Virginia Sr., 87, died May 11.

Robert P. Vail, died May 12.

Bohuslav Zavrel, 93, of Buffalo, died May 6.

Norman J. Ziemer, died May 14.
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Claudia Mae Seay, retired D’Youville College chef

May 15, 2013, 9:35 pm
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Nov. 10, 1929 – May 10, 2013

Claudia Mae Seay, a retired chef at D’Youville College, died Friday in her Buffalo home. She was 83.

Born Claudia Mae Young in Stockton, Ala., Mrs. Seay attend public schools in Alabama and Detroit, where she graduated from Northern High School.

After many years as the head chef at D’Youville College, she retired in 1988. D’Youville students honored her with a certificate of appreciation in recognition of her service. Also during the ceremony, she prepared a meal for then-President Ronald Reagan.

With her husband, Mrs. Seay assisted various pastors in establishing their churches, including the late M. L. Bowman, who was the senior pastor of Antioch Fire Baptized Church and the late James Kirkwood, pastor of the former St. Mark Church of God in Christ – now St. James Church of God in Christ.

For more than 35 years, Mrs. Seay was a member of St. James, where she was the president of the Bible study ministry and the assistant district missionary.

The Church of God in Christ Inc. in Memphis licensed her as an evangelist and missionary.

In 1997, the Northeast Ohio District of the Fire Baptized Holiness Church Organization honored Mrs. Seay for her service and support of foreign missions.

Mrs. Seay was a long-standing member of the Disabled American Veterans Auxiliary.

Her husband of 51 years, Ezelle, died in 2002.

Surviving are seven sons, Terry, Larry, Tommy, David, Samuel, Claude and Kelvin; two daughters, Rachel and Lydia; three brothers, Paul, Solomon and Benjamin; and five sisters, Inez Brand, Dorothy, Ruby Baines, Pearline Kirkland and Dolly Green.

A funeral service will be held at noon Friday in True Bethel Baptist Church, 907 E. Ferry St., following a wake there at 11 a.m.
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Elder Paul C. Stewart, associate pastor at Greater Refuge Temple

May 15, 2013, 9:35 pm
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Feb. 26, 1939 – May 10, 2013

Paul C. Stewart of Grand Island, an elder and associate pastor at Greater Refuge Temple of Christ Church, died Friday in Buffalo General Medical Center. He was 74.

Born in Raleigh, N.C., Mr. Stewart had a 38-year career with General Motors, working in Kansas City, Kan., and the Town of Tonawanda.

While in Kansas City, he was an associate pastor of Greater Pentecostal Temple.

He was member of Greater Refuge Temple in Buffalo for more than 20 years. He was pastor of the Women’s Ministry; assistant to Missionary Theresa Bonner of the Ministry of Compassion; pastor over communion at the Delaware Heights and Waterfront nursing homes; and pastor over bedside communion at Erie County Medical Center; and he conducted noonday prayer.

Mr. Stewart retired from General Motors in 2000.

Survivors include his wife, the former JoAnn Wiley; three daughters, Audresha Wilson, Deneen Goldsmith and Nicole; and a sister, the Rev. Janet Stewart.

A celebration of life will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday in Greater Refuge Temple of Christ, 943 Jefferson Ave.,
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Pete Bonciani Cothran, retired Amherst Spanish teacher and decorated war veteran

May 16, 2013, 10:38 pm
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May 14, 1928 – May 11, 2013

Pete Bonciani Cothran, a retired teacher of Spanish and health, and a decorated war veteran, died unexpectedly Saturday at his home in Amherst. He was 84.

Born in Rome, Pete Bonciani grew up in Florence. He was adopted at the end of World War II by Donald Cothran, a colonel in the U.S. Army, and his last name was changed to Cothran. They came to live in the United Sates in 1949.

He attended preparatory school in Arden, N.C., and later graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he was an All-American athlete in soccer.

He enlisted in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. His leadership skills were quickly recognized, and his service earned him the Korean Service Medal with three bronze service stars, as well as a United Nations Service Medal and a Merit Unit emblem.

Recognition for his military career continued throughout Mr. Cothran’s life, as he was awarded the Korean War Service Medal by the Republic of Korea in 2003. In 2008, he received the New York State Medal for Merit for his military career.

A longtime Clarence resident, Mr. Cothran lived in the Buffalo area for about 45 years, most recently moving to Amherst.

Mr. Cothran worked his entire career at Amherst Central High School, teaching Spanish and health for 22 years.

His efforts continue to be recognized in the form of the Peter Cothran Award, which has been given yearly since 2000, to students whose achievements in Spanish study are deemed outstanding.

Mr. Cothran’s wife of 16 years, Arlene Rose Battista, died in 1986. She taught in the Maryvale School District.

In retirement, Mr. Cothran remained a dedicated athlete, playing tennis and golf.

He is survived by a son, Pierluigi Cothran, with whom he traveled frequently to visit family in Italy.

A memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Saturday in Amigone Funeral Home, 5200 Sheridan Drive at Hopkins Road, Amherst.
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Area Deaths

May 16, 2013, 10:38 pm
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Robert T. Armentrout, of Buffalo, Army veteran, died May 5.

Laura J. Bernard, of Arcade, died May 12.

Thomas J. Billings, died May 13.

Alice R. Cabaj, 95, of Cheektowaga, died May 15.

Norma A. “Myrt” (Swimline) Capan, died May 10.

Pete B. Cothran, 84, died May 11.

Mary Jane DeFazio, 76, of Youngstown, died May 14.

Sarah C. Degnan, died May 14.

JoAnn D. (Smith) DellaSala, 75, died May 11.

Mary A. (McCarthy) Dow, died May 9.

Virginia Marie (Rogers) Forrestel, died May 14.

Eddie Gathers, died May 10.

Irene A. (Kargul) Grzelewski, of Cheektowaga, died March 10.

Dwon T. House, of Buffalo, died May 12.

Anglenell Jackson, of Buffalo, died May 11.

Helen M. (Gardner) Krieger, 76, died May 11.

Marie M. Krueger, 75, of Buffalo, died May 13.

Cecelia “Lala” (Golebiewski) Kubala, died May 14.

Eugenia (Mischij) Lukowskyj, of West Seneca, died May 14.

Joseph I. Merii, of Buffalo, died May 15.

Renato Morello, of Buffalo, died May 8.

William G. Packard Sr., of Lackawanna, died May 15.

Robert F. Polanowski, of Belfast, died May 14.

Frederick E. Rudin, of Elma, died May 14.

Jennie M. Seier, died May 5.

Elder Paul C. Stewart, died May 10.

Genevieve (Zaworski) Tarapacki, died May 14.

Anthony C. Teresi, died May 15.

Richard C. Tussing, 86, of North Tonawanda, WWII U.S. Navy veteran, American Legion Wheatfield Post member, Gratwick Hose Fire Company member, died May 15.

Alexander Voronin, of Tonawanda, died May 15.
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Sarah C. Degnan, former special-education teacher

May 17, 2013, 3:14 am
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Oct. 20, 1951 – May 14, 2013

Sarah C. Degnan, an active civic volunteer in the Hertel Avenue area and a former special-education teacher and teacher trainer, died Tuesday after a long illness. She was 61.

Born Sarah Klemann in Lockport and raised in Pendleton, she graduated from DeSales High School and, after attending Buffalo State College on a National Merit Scholarship, graduated with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education and special education.

Mrs. Degnan worked for Niagara Orleans BOCES as a special-education teacher, and as a teacher trainer for Erie 1 BOCES, specializing in computer applications.

She later owned S.C. Degnan Consultants in Buffalo, where she helped school districts maximize Medicaid reimbursements from the federal government before she retired in January.

Mrs. Degnan was a co-founder of ZTV, a community service organization that helped strenghen the Hertel Avenue area and reduce crime, and co-founded a local farmers’ market.

She was a board member of the Buffalo Laboratory Theatre, a member of the Buffalo chapter of the American Sewing Guild and enjoyed photography, music, gardening, travel and reading scientific and literary works.

Survivors include her husband, Michael S.; a daughter, Devin M.; a son, Michael E.; and a brother, Peter.

A memorial service will be at 1 p.m. Saturday in C. Mertz and Son Funeral Home, 911 Englewood Ave., Town of Tonawanda.
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Sister Joanne Fuchs, nursing supervisor

May 17, 2013, 7:10 pm
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Dec. 31, 1923 – May 16, 2013

Sister Joanne Fuchs, a Sister of Mercy for more than 66 years and a longtime nurse, died Thursday in Mercy Health Care Unit. She was 89.

Born Johanna Fuchs, she entered the Sisters of Mercy on April 16, 1947, a year after graduating from Mercy Hospital School of Nursing. She made her perpetual profession on Dec. 21, 1952.

Born in Dade City, Fla., Sister Fuchs moved with her family to Fulton, where she attended elementary, junior high and high school, graduating in 1942.

She worked for a year and attended the Mercy nursing school before earning her bachelor’s degree in nursing from D’Youville College. She worked at Mercy Hospital, Kenmore Mercy and St. Jerome Hospital in Batavia, where she spent more than 50 years as a nurse supervisor.

She is survived by three sisters, Christine Ostrowski, Rosemarie Meiers and Bertha Palamar.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 4 p.m. Monday in Mercy Center Chapel, 625 Abbott Road.
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Russell M. Alessi Jr., M&T Bank vice president

May 17, 2013, 7:10 pm
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Feb. 2, 1968 – May 12, 2013

Russell M. Alessi Jr., of the Town of Tonawanda, a vice president at M&T Bank, died Sunday in Buffalo General Medical Center after a three-year battle with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. He was 45.

Mr. Alessi grew up in Amherst, attending Amherst High School and earning a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Medaille College. He also was an Eagle Scout.

He graduated from the Marine Reserve Officer Candidate School.

Mr. Alessi was a member of to Salem Lutheran Church. He was a fan of the New York Yankees fan, Bills and Sabres.

Survivors include his wife, Kim; his mother, Judy; four sisters, Elaine Ramesh, Diane Phelps, Marlene Seifert and Nadine Beacham, and two brothers, Christopher and Timothy.

A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. June 29 in Salem Lutheran Church, 10 McClellan Circle.
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Joan L. Wells, waitress and former Buffalo News employee

May 17, 2013, 7:10 pm
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June 8, 1926 – May 17, 2013

Joan L. Wells, of Elma, who had worked in advertising for The Buffalo News, and as a waitress and seamstress, died Friday in Sisters Hospital after a brief illness. She was 86.

The former Joan Lorenz, who was married to the late Robert L. Wells, lived in the Elma-Alden area her entire life.

She was invited to the White House by President George W. Bush in 2007, when he was talking about Medicare Part D, the government prescription drug plan.

“Before this, I couldn’t buy a gosh darned pair of socks,” Mrs. Wells told the president in praise of the program.

She worked in the Advertising Department of The News for 20 years and also spent 10 years as a waitress at the West Alden Kitchen.

She also was a seamstress in her hometown.

She is survived by a son, Robert M., and a daughter, Susan Rodgers.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10 a.m. Monday in St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Sandridge Road, Alden.
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Mary Ardelle Pitkin, 96, longtime French teacher

May 18, 2013, 3:39 pm
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March 25, 1917 – May 9, 2013

Mary Ardelle Pitkin, a French teacher at Iroquois Central School in Elma from 1965 to 1992, died May 9 in Orchard Park. She was 96.

Mrs. Pitkin, known as “Dell,” was the daughter of Augustus Hunt Shearer, a University of Buffalo history professor, head of the Buffalo Grosvenor Library and founder of UB’s first Library Science program, and Inez Rogers Shearer, a well-known local artist and member of the Garret Club of Buffalo. Mrs. Pitkin was born in Evanston, Ill., but raised in Buffalo.

She graduated from the Park School of Buffalo in 1934. She first visited France with her family as a teenager, then attended the Sorbonne in Paris in 1937 while she was an undergraduate at Smith College, leading to a lifelong love for France and the French language.

After graduating from Smith with a bachelor’s degree in 1938, Mrs. Pitkin taught at the Park School and then at Ashley Hall in Charleston, S.C. In September 1939, she returned to France to begin work as a teacher, but was evacuated in November to escape the Nazi invasion.

On May 11, 1942, she married Lt. Cmdr. John Townsend Pitkin, a Navy flight surgeon whose postwar career as a psychiatrist concentrated on work with children. Her husband died in 1989.

Mrs. Pitkin was active in Eastern European refugee relief after the war.

The Pitkins lived in Ann Arbor, Mich., from 1949 to 1957, and Mrs. Pitkin earned a master’s degree at the University of Michigan in 1954.

The family returned to Western New York, and from 1965 to 1992, Mrs. Pitkin taught French at Iroquois Central School, occasionally teaching classes in Latin and New York state history. She also taught French in adult education classes at East Aurora High School.

Mrs. Pitkin was a longtime member of the League of Women Voters and the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of East Aurora, as well as the Ecumenical Book Club.

Mrs. Pitkin traveled extensively through the United States and Canada, as well as China, Austria and Italy and throughout Europe, especially France.

She is survived by four children, Anne, Sarah, Kit and Ben; and a brother, David H. Shearer.

A memorial service will be held at a later date.
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