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Marianne Zipp Hofheins, software company co-founder

September 18, 2013, 2:41 pm
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June 4, 1950   Sept. 7, 2013

Marianne Zipp Hofheins of Williamsville, co-founder of a software company, died Sept. 7 after a lengthy battle with pancreatic cancer. She was 63.

Born in Tonawanda, she graduated from Tonawanda High School in 1968. She received her bachelor ‘s degree in mathematics from Albany State University in 1973.

The former Marianne Zipp began a computer programming career in Buffalo at Computer Task Group, where she advanced to technical service manager, providing help desk services and custom programming to business clients using CTG’s basic four minicomputers.

In 1996, along with her husband, Mrs. Hofheins founded ProServe New York Corporation, a software firm specializing in enterprise software serving small to mid-sized businesses in Western New York.

She retired in 2006 upon selling the company.

She was widely known for her Scrabble parties through which she raised money for the Literacy Volunteers of America.

Survivors include her husband, George, and a brother, Paul Zipp.

Services were private.
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Anthony J. Venditti, UPS labor relations manager

September 18, 2013, 3:00 pm
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May 16, 1949 – Sept. 17, 2013

Anthony J. Venditti, a former labor relations manager for United Parcel Services, died unexpectedly Tuesday in Sisters Hospital’s St. Joseph Campus, Cheektowaga. He was 64.

Mr. Venditti was a lifelong resident of Western New York. He was born in Buffalo and graduated from Alden High School before joining the U.S. Army. He served as a member of the Military Police in Monterey, Calif., from 1968 to 1970.

After his service, he received his bachelor’s degree in business from the University at Buffalo in 1974 and worked for UPS for 25 years, retiring in 2005.

Mr. Venditti was a member of Our Lady of Pompeii Catholic Church in Lancaster. He enjoyed golfing and fishing, and was a fan of the Bills.

Survivors include his wife, the former Donna Moses; a daughter, Jill Ashworth; three sons, Anthony, Joshua and Nicholas; four sisters, Rose Marie Roaldi, Elizabeth Roaldi, Jane Bordner and Elvira Salvadore; and three brothers, Frank, Augustine and Louis.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 9:30 a.m. Saturday in Our Lady of Pompeii Church, 158 Lavarack Ave., Lancaster, after prayers at 8:45 in Amigone Funeral Home, 6050 Transit Road, Depew.
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Richard C. Braisted, retired researcher, yachtsman

September 19, 2013, 9:10 am
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Feb. 13, 1922 – Sept. 3, 2013

Richard C. Braisted, of Williamsville, a retired Calspan researcher and yachtsman, died Tuesday in Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital, Amherst. He was 91.

Born in Englewood, N.J., he attended elementary school and high school in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where his father worked in the import-export business. He worked there briefly in advertising before returning to the United States in 1943 to enlist in the Army.

He served as an infantryman in World War II in France and Germany, attaining the rank of sergeant. Struck by shrapnel during battle, he was awarded the Purple Heart.

Returning from service, he attended Harvard University on the G.I. Bill, graduating in 1950 with a degree in economics.

He and his brothers dominated sailboat racing in Buenos Aires. At Harvard, he was active in the Harvard Sailing Club and competed against other Ivy League schools.

After graduating, he organized a group that chartered a 50-foot yacht and competed in the 1950 race from Newport, R.I., to Bermuda.

It was the first of 12 round trips to Bermuda he completed in his sailing career. He also crossed the Atlantic Ocean twice, racing to Cork, Ireland, in 1969, and sailing to the Azores in 1985.

Mr. Braisted and one of his brothers purchased a 56-foot yacht and operated a charter business, running excursions from the U.S. and British Virgin Islands, Nova Scotia, Maine and Cape Cod, Mass.

After the yacht struck a sand bar, he moved to Connecticut and worked for Calspan’s predecessor, Cornell Aeronautical Laboratory, in Manhattan. He came to the Buffalo area when Cornell Lab moved to Cheektowaga in 1962. He retired in 1987 as director of field operations.

He sailed locally as a member of the Sandy Beach Yacht Club on Grand Island.

Survivors include his wife of 58 years, the former Martha Flynn; and five sons, Christopher, Michael, John, Brian and Tom.

Services will be private.
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Winifred H. Morrison, Ph.D., much-honored educator

September 19, 2013, 4:04 pm
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Aug. 31, 1925 – Sept. 18, 2013

Winifred H. Morrison, Ph.D., of Williamsville, a teacher, administrator and educational consultant, died Wednesday in Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital, Amherst. She was 88.

Born Winifred Haas in Olean, she attended Olean schools. She received a bachelor’s degree in education from Buffalo State College, then earned two master’s degrees magna cum laude – in education from Buffalo State and in library science from Geneseo State College.

She completed her doctorate in research and evaluation at the University at Buffalo and pursued additional studies at UCLA and the Harvard University School of Education.

At Park School of Buffalo in the 1970s, Dr. Morrison was head of the Lower School, coordinator of library and media services, and director of the Early Education Division.

In 1979, she became coordinator of the Child Care Advisory Service at UB, then served for three years as director of children’s services for the Erie County Chapter of the New York State Association for Retarded Children.

Dr. Morrison in 1983 was named president of the chapter’s Heritage Centers, which provide a wide range of services to children and adults with mental retardation and other developmental disabilities, and served in that position until she retired in 1995.

She was an adjunct professor at UB from 1964 to 2000 in the Graduate School of Education. She also was a guest lecturer at Hilbert College, Genesee Community College and Empire State College.

Dr. Morrison was involved in many books and other publications in the 1970s, writing and editing as a committee member, including the well-known “You Are Your Child’s First Teacher” series. She also was the writer of the child development curriculum at Geneseo State College.

The playground at Delaware Avenue and Delaware Road in Kenmore, which was designed to accommodate children with disabilities, was dedicated to her.

She appeared regularly in radio and television interviews in the 1970s and 1980s, and was the subject of several newspaper feature articles.

She served on boards of directors and committees of many organizations devoted to early childhood development and services for the disabled. She was a member of the Child Development Program Advisory Council at Villa Maria College from 1973 to 2000 and a member of the Youth Services Advisory Council at Medaille College from 1988 to 1996.

The first woman admitted to the Rotary Club of Buffalo, she served on the board of directors and as secretary. She was president of the Zonta Club of Cheektowaga-Lancaster and area director and secretary of Zonta International District 4.

She was honored as Manager of the Year in 1987 by the Center for Women in Management at D’Youville College. Villa Maria College presented her its Outstanding Service Award twice, in 1979 and 1984. The YWCA of Buffalo & Erie County gave her the YWCA Outstanding Achievement Award in 1985. She was listed in “Who’s Who of American Women” and “World’s Who’s Who of Women.”

Her husband, Robert C., a City of Tonawanda police officer, died in 1992.

Survivors include two sons, Robert E. and James; a brother G. Ronald Haas; a sister, Irene Haas; and a close friend, Efner Davis.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 9 a.m. Saturday in St. Gregory the Great Catholic Church, 200 St. Gregory Court at Maple Road, Amherst.
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Mary Jean Sloan, mental health social worker

September 19, 2013, 4:06 pm
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April 1, 1938 – Sept. 17, 2013

Mary Jean Sloan, a mental health social worker, died unexpectedly Tuesday in her Buffalo home. She was 75.

Born Mary Jean Walker in Egypt, Miss., she came to Buffalo in 1962.

She earned a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in social work from Buffalo State College.

In more than 30 years as a mental health professional, she worked as a case manager at Mid-Erie Mental Health, then was a social worker at Buffalo Psychiatric Center. She retired in 2000.

Mrs. Sloan was a member of Elim Christian Fellowship.

She also was a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority.

Survivors include two daughters, Darleen Larkin and Diana Larkin; a son, Ronald Walker; five sisters, Shirley Terrell, Linda Walker, Pamela Jarmon, Velma Galloway and Valerie Malarky; and six brothers, Walter Walker Jr., James Walker, Willie Walker, Henley Walker, Clinton Walker and Brian Walker.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday in Elim Christian Fellowship, 70 Chalmers Ave.
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Sister Mary Candace Kazmierczak, teacher, aide

September 19, 2013, 4:23 pm
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March 5, 1927 – Sept. 18, 2013

Sister Mary Candace Kazmierczak, a Felician sister who taught for 28 years in Catholic elementary schools then served as an aide at Villa Maria College, died Wednesday in Blessed Mary Angela Care Center, Buffalo, where she had been a patient for 16 years. She was 86.

Born Alice Kazmierczak in Buffalo, shewas a member of St. Adalbert Basilica and entered the Buffalo Province of the Felician Sisters on July 26, 1945. She professed her perpetual vows Aug. 9, 1953.

She was a graduate of Immaculate Heart of Mary Academy and earned her bachelor’s degree in education from Mount St. Joseph Teachers College, now Medaille College.

Sister Candace began as a child care aide at St. Rita’s Home for Children in Getzville, then was a group director for two years at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Home in Cheektowaga.

She later taught at several schools, including St. John Gualbert, Resurrection and Our Lady of Czestochowa, all in Cheektowaga; Queen of Peace and St. Casimir in Buffalo; and St. Augustine in Depew.

Sister Candace left teaching in 1983 and began 27 years of service at Villa Maria College as an aide at the bookstore.

She later served as a library aide, a cafeteria aide and cashier.

She was known for her sense of humor and attention to details.

Survivors include three sisters, Eleonore Eckert, Mary Ann Downing and Theresa Kazmierczak.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10 a.m. Friday in the chapel at Immaculate Heart of Mary Convent, 600 Doat St.
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Rev. Henry A. Schwede, minister, teacher, gourmet cook

September 19, 2013, 4:42 pm
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April 13, 1941 – Sept. 18, 2013

The Rev. Henry A. Schwede, a retired United Church of Christ minister, died Wednesday in DeGraff Memorial Hospital, North Tonawanda, after a short illness. He was 72.

The Buffalo native was a 1959 graduate of Amherst High School and received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Buffalo in 1963.

After college, he worked for Railway Express in Buffalo and was transferred to Rochester, where he lived for about 15 years.

He served as director of religious education at Irondequoit United Church of Christ.

A gourmet cook and caterer, Mr. Schwede sometimes appeared on cooking shows on Rochester television.

He returned to Buffalo to pursue a master’s degree in religious studies at Canisius College while teaching in the Sweet Home Central School District.

He also received a master’s of divinity degree from Christ the King Seminary in Aurora.

In 1987, he was ordained to the ministry at Plymouth United Church of Christ, where he was appointed as assistant minister.

He was installed as minister of Kenmore United Church of Christ in 1990. He also served at St. Stephen’s-Bethlehem United Church of Christ in Amherst.

He enjoyed traveling to New York City, and he hosted several foreign exchange high school students.

After retiring from ministry, Mr. Schwede worked as a substitute teacher in the Sweet Home district.

A memorial service will be at 7 p.m. Monday in Harry A. Wedekindt Funeral Home, 280 Grover Cleveland Highway, Amherst.
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Sister Helen Welch, teacher, principal

September 20, 2013, 4:17 pm
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Feb. 18, 1925 – Sept. 19, 2013

Sister Helen Welch, Order of St. Francis, a teacher and principal, died Thursday at Stella Niagara Health Center. She was 88.

A native of Columbus, Ohio, she graduated from Rosary High School in 1943 and entered the Sisters of St. Francis at Stella Niagara on Jan. 30, 1946.

She received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Rosary Hill College in 1961.

The former Sister Roberta taught at St. Aloysius Academy in New Lexington, Ohio, and later became the principal there. She taught at St. John’s and St. Peter’s Schools in Columbus, St. Paul School in Athens, Ohio and Sacred Heart Elementary, DeSales High School, Blessed Trinity, Our Lady of Victory Schools and was coordinator at St. Leo Convent in Columbus.

Sister Helen also taught at St. Benedict School in Amherst, St. Joachim School in Buffalo and St. Anthony School in Warsaw. In 1964 she served as principal at Our Lady of the Rosary School in Greenville, S.C.

From 1997 to 2007, Sister Helen was local minister at Stella Niagara Convent.

She is survived by her sister, Sister Mary Frances Welch, OSF.

The family will be present at Stella Niagara, 4421 Lower River Road, on from 2 to 5 p.m. Monday, where a prayer service will be held at 7 p.m.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday in the Sisters Chapel at Stella Niagara.

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Anthony B. Kalisz Jr., retired Buffalo police officer

September 20, 2013, 4:20 pm
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Oct. 10, 1944 – Sept. 19, 2013

Anthony B. Kalisz Jr. of Lockport, a retired Buffalo police officer, died Thursday in Niagara Hospice House. He was 68.

Born in Buffalo, Mr. Kalisz was a graduated of Kensington High School and a member of the National Guard.

He decided early on to pursue a career in law enforcement and worked 26 years for the Buffalo Police Department, retiring in 1993. He spent his entire career assigned to Precinct 4 on Michigan Avenue.

His hobbies included fishing, collecting model trains and raising tropical fish. He also raised turtles, one of which was documented by a local veterinarian as being more than 50 years old.

Mr. Kalisz was a parishioner at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Lockport.

Survivors include his wife, the former Susan Vorwerk; a daughter, Stacy Johnson; a son, Anthony B. III; and a sister, Geraldine Olkowski.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10 a.m. Monday in St. John the Baptist Church, 168 Chestnut St., Lockport.
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September 20, 2013, 10:50 pm
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Constance A. (Cornell) Agro, of Hamburg, died Sept. 14.

Leo L. Baldelli, of Lackawanna, died Sept. 17.

John Bargnesi, died Sept. 17.

Mildred M. Bleyle, 93, died Sept. 17.

Robert H. Booker, died Sept. 18.

Jeffrey A. Brenon, 55, of Grand Island, formerly of the City of Tonawanda, died Sept. 20.

Esther E. Brudz, 80, of Darien, died Sept. 16.

Ellen (Hakes) Chayan, died Sept. 16.

Dean F. Ciccarelli, died Aug. 20.

Floret Clarke, of Buffalo, died Sept. 15.

James E. Coleman Sr., died Sept. 15.

Virginia Evans Crear, died Sept. 12.

Harold Curnew, of Orchard Park, died Sept. 14.

Nicholas DiFlavio, of Buffalo, died Sept. 17.

Gladys E. Dobbins, longtime volunteer for Literacy Volunteers, died Sept. 20.

Kevin Mark Doktor, of Corfu, died Sept. 15.

Eileen F. (Koelle) Donovan, of Lewiston, died Sept. 16.

Paul N. Englert Jr., 19, died Sept. 19.

Arlene M. (Martin) Foss, died Sept. 18.

Floyd “Grump” Freund, of Hamburg, died Sept. 17.

Umberto Frezza, of the Town of Tonawanda, died Sept. 19.

Geri (Sovinsky) Garner, of Tonawanda, died Sept. 15.

John Earl Gates, 88, of Buffalo, retired engine worker for General Motors/Chevrolet Tonawanda Plant, died Sept. 15.

Margaret S. Gatley-Cornell, 89, died Sept. 8.

Alfio Giaccotto, 95, died Sept. 17.

Ralph T. Gory, of Williamsville, died Sept. 14.

Sheila M. (Tavernier) Gunsolus, 40, M&T Bank employee, died Sept. 17.

Daniel “Cowboy” Haidon, 57, Vietnam War and Iraq War veteran, died Sept. 18.

Albert L. Hershey, Buffalo Courier-Express reporter, died Sept. 16.

Alice E. (Kurowski) Hickey, 88, of North Java, died Sept. 18.

James E. Huff, of Cheektowaga, mason, died Sept. 16.

Robert A. Hustead, of West Seneca, died Sept. 17.

Sally C. (Territo) Iannello, died Sept. 18.

Shirley R. Jackson, died Sept. 16.

Dolores B. Jarnot, died Sept. 12.

Coleen M. (Kurzdorfer) Jones, 53, died Sept. 18.

James J. Karalfa, died Sept. 17.

John F. “Jack” Kirwan, 69, lawyer, Vietnam War Army veteran, died Sept. 17.

Edward J. “Bud” Koller, of West Seneca, died Sept. 16.

Frances M. (Lis) Kuryak, of Lackawanna, died Sept. 17.

Agatha C. (Golab) Lackie, of Cheektowaga, died Sept. 17.

Judith D. (Dorisca) Lampasso, dentist, died Sept. 19.

Marybeth (Siener) Larivey, died Sept. 17.

Dominick J. Liberatore, 92, World War II Army Air Forces veteran, died Sept. 19.

Bernice Ligotti, 95, died Sept. 12.

Rosalie (Sekuterski) Lijewski, died Sept. 17.

Constance R. (Kostrzycki) Ljungberg, of East Aurora, died Sept. 17.

Betty Jane (Smith) Malark, died Sept. 12.

Russell J. Malark, died Sept. 17.

Michael J. Marranco, died Sept. 17.

Veronica C. (Fliss) May, 92, of Hamburg, died Sept. 18.

Edward L. McCarty, died Sept. 18.

Anna Messina, 100, died Sept. 17.

Janice M. (Hoover) Meyerhoefer, of Hamburg, died Sept. 18.

Winifred H. (Haas) Morrison, died Sept. 18.

John “Jack” Newhouse, of Lancaster, died Sept. 17.

Ellen (Burzinski) Nowak, died Sept. 17.

Joseph Pedini Jr., 81, of North Tonawanda, died Sept. 17.

Anthony Previte, 71, died Sept. 16.

David R. Slachciak, of Cambria, died Sept. 19.

Robert K. Smith, World War II veteran and Conrail retiree, died Sept. 16.

Dorothy J. (Osika) Sosnowski, 79, died Sept. 18.

Velma (Schell) Steblein, 83, of Amherst, died Sept. 17.

Joseph A. Tamborski, 50, formerly of North Tonawanda, died Sept. 18.

Joseph T. Todaro, of Buffalo, World War II Army veteran, died Sept. 18.

William A. Ulrich, died Sept. 12.

Douglas J. Vaillancourt, 23, of North Tonawanda, died Sept. 14.

Teresa Ann (Gambacorta) Van Cheri, of Derby, died Sept. 19.

Ruth P. (Poehler) Vonlangen, 85, of Town of Tonawanda, died Sept. 20.

Karl F. Wagner Jr., of Clarence Center, died Sept. 18.

Dorothy J. Williams, 98, registered nurse, died Sept. 19.

Joan M. (Zynda) Witkowski, 82, of Sloan, died Sept. 20.

Richard O. Wolkind, 88, World War II veteran, Sept. 13.
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Joseph T. Todaro, WWII veteran, founded personnel agency

September 21, 2013, 1:47 pm
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Jan. 30, 1925 – Sept. 18, 2013

Joseph T. Todaro, an Army veteran of World War II and founder of a personnel agency, died Wednesday in Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Buffalo, after a long illness. He was 88.

Mr. Todaro, a graduate of Hutchinson-Central High School, enlisted in the Army at age 18, serving in the Philippines and New Guinea as a scout. While recovering from an injury, the wife of Gen. Douglas MacArthur visited him in the hospital and awarded him the Purple Heart.

“He was one those people who never complained, grew up in the Depression,” said Thomas Todaro, his son. “He just showed up before you needed him. He was one of the good ones. He started his own business, made it successful and grew it and affected a lot of people’s lives in a good way.”

He also remembers his father for his warmth and wide-ranging abilities – from making drapes and upholstering to plumbing and electrical skills.

Mr. Todaro learned to sew from employees of a tailor shop in the neighborhood where he grew up. As an adult he worked his way up to plant manager of Teledyne Taber Inc., the North Tonawanda aerospace manufacturer of transducers used by NASA in some of the first space missions.

“He was a handyman extraordinaire,” Thomas Todaro added. “I called him ‘Super Dad.’ ”

In 1973, Mr. Todaro launched Todd Arro Personnel, which he ran until he retired in 2006. He also was a founder of the Western New York Personnel Agency Association and a member of Disabled American Veterans. Mr. Todaro was Catholic.

Survivors include, his wife of 63 years, the former Jeanette DeMartinis; and another son, Joseph R.

A private service will be held.
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Donald Paul McGuire, health care administrator

September 21, 2013, 1:52 pm
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Nov. 14, 1940 – Sept. 16, 2013

Donald Paul McGuire, a member of the McGuire family that owns several real estate and health care facilities in Western New York and Florida, died Monday in Sarasota, Fla. He was 72.

He was born in Buffalo, grew up in South Buffalo, attending Holy Family Church, and Timon and South Park high schools.

After high school, Mr. McGuire served in the Navy as an electrician aboard the USS Myles C. Fox.

Following his military service, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in business from Canisius College in 1966. He moved to Wellsville with his wife, the former Mary F. Gorey, and children and worked as an accountant for the Worthington Corporation.

In 1972, the family moved to Sarasota, where Mr. McGuire and his brothers owned several hotels, condominiums, and the restaurants Yesterdays in Sarasota and Molly Maguire’s in Clearwater and Tampa.

In 1991, Mr. McGuire moved back to Buffalo to oversee the day-to-day operations for several facilities for the McGuire Group. He spent the majority of his career as an administrator at the Seneca Health Care Center, retiring in 2010.

Mr. McGuire earned a Master of Science degree in health care administration from D’Youville College in 1995 and was a member of the West Seneca Rotary.

He married the former Kathryn E. McCarthy in 1993. She died in 2008.

He and his late wife were supporters of the Buffalo Bills. Mr. McGuire had a tremendous thirst for knowledge, was a voracious reader and witty storyteller who could launch into a fascinating history lesson at any time.

He is survived by his children Shirley, Donald, James and Martin; stepchildren Robert Patterson, Trisha Nowak, Joseph Patterson and Ellen Pierchala; and two brothers, Frank and Bryan.

A memorial service will be held 10:15 a.m. at James W. Cannan Funeral Home, 3155 Orchard Park Road, Orchard Park.
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Phillip J. Tabone Jr., school principal, cake designer, dies at 71

September 21, 2013, 2:47 pm
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Nov. 11, 1941 - Sept. 19, 2013

Phillip J. Tabone Jr., a primary school principal in East Pembroke and cake designer, died Thursday at the Hospice Wells House of the Beechwood Continuing Care Campus, Getzville. He was 71.

Born in Batavia, Mr. Tabone was a graduate of Notre Dame High School, and earned teaching degrees and certification fromm St. John Fisher College and Brockport State College.

After retiring from teaching at the age of 54, Mr. Tabone went into the business of making wedding cakes, following in the footsteps of his mother. The business was called Wedding Cakes by Tabone.

His wife of 25 years, the former Renee Witkins, remembers some of his creations for wedding receptions and celebrations in Salvatore’s Italian Gardens. One was in the shape of a truck, in honor of a truck driver, and another, a house with a pasture for a cake that resembled a customer’s property.

“Our whole basement was turned into a bakery,” she said. “It seems like anything he wanted to do, he excelled at.”

From 1963 to 1995 he was a teacher and a principal in the Pembroke Central School District. As an elementary school teacher, Mr. Tabone helped in the production of school musicals. At the condominium community in Williamsville where he lived, he was known as “The Mayor.”

“He was just so friendly and talkative and cared about people,” his wife added. “He had a big heart.”

His son, Isaac, 19, one of the joys of his life, is studying music education at Roberts Wesleyan College in Rochester. Mr. Tabone volunteered for Buffalo Suzuki Strings when Isaac was a young student, helping with the school’s move to North Tonawanda.

“He loved to hear Isaac play the violin,” Renee said.

Survivors include his wife and son.

A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday in Eastern Hills Wesleyan Church, 8445 Greiner Road, Clarence.
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Dr. Emanuel Amato, had long career as psychiatrist

September 21, 2013, 8:24 pm
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Jan. 8, 1924 – Sept. 16, 2013

When Dr. Emanuel Amato arrived in the United States in 1955 with $150 in his pocket and his medical degree from the University of Palermo in Sicily, he spoke virtually no English. He went on to a long career as a psychiatrist at several Buffalo hospitals.

Dr. Amato died Monday at his Orchard Park home. He was 89.

Following a medical residency in psychiatry, he began practicing in Buffalo, primarily at Linwood-Bryant Hospital, the predecessor of Bry-Lin Hospital. He also was on the staff at Sisters, Mercy and Millard Fillmore hospitals.

He was a member of the Erie County Medical Society, the New York State Medical Society, and a past president of the Baccelli Medical Society.

He also was special consultant to Buffalo Family Court and Buffalo City Court.

When he could get away from his busy practice, he loved going to his farm in Cherry Creek, where he bred horses, enjoyed horseback riding, canoeing, fishing, hiking, raising cattle and entertaining his family and friends.

Dr. Amato was preceded in death by his wife, the former Maria Marrale.

He is survived by two sons, Joachim and Emanuel S.; two brothers, Angelo and Giuseppe; and two sisters, Maria Carrubba and Enza Armenio.

Services are private.
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Paul Moran, Buffalo native won acclaim as sports writer who covered horse racing

November 13, 2013, 9:24 am
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July 20, 1947 – Nov. 9, 2013

Paul James Moran, a Buffalo native who was one of the nation’s most prominent writers on horse racing, died Saturday in a hospital in Saratoga Springs after a 3½-year battle with lung cancer. He was 66.

During his 22 years as the lead turf writer and sports columnist at Newsday on Long Island, he won two Eclipse Awards for his coverage of thoroughbred racing – in 1985 for a profile of Daily Racing Form columnist Joe Hirsch and in 1990 for his account of the catastrophic injury of champion filly Go for Wand in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff race at Belmont Park. He was known for his memorable images and his acerbic wit.

“Paulie was so smart and funny,” said John Pricci, a former Newsday handicapper and columnist, “even though sometimes his jokes would make you wince.”

Mr. Moran covered his first Kentucky Derby in 1973, when he was sports editor at the Tonawanda News, and reported on all of the Triple Crown races, as well as the Breeders’ Cup races, for the next 35 years.

Born in Buffalo, he attended the University at Buffalo for two years, then enlisted in the Air Force. He served in Vietnam and the Middle East, attaining the rank of sergeant.

Returning to Buffalo, he worked at the Tonawanda News while attending night classes at UB’s Millard Fillmore College.

In 1975, he moved to Florida and joined the Fort Lauderdale Sun Sentinel as a writer and columnist. Ten years later he transferred to Newsday. After he retired to Saratoga Springs in 2007, he continued writing for ESPN.com and covering the annual Saratoga racing season for the Associated Press. His last column for ESPN.com appeared Oct. 28.

He was a co-author of “Crown Jewels of Thoroughbred Racing” and contributed numerous articles to magazines.

Mr. Moran won the Red Smith Award for his Kentucky Derby coverage, along with the Associated Press Sports Editors Award, the Distinguished Writing Award from the American Society of Newspaper Editors in 1990 and the Distinguished Sports Writing Award from the New York Newspaper Publishers Association in 1992.

He served on the board of directors of the National Turf Writers Association from 1987 to 1990 and was president of the New York Turf Writers Association from 1990 to 1992.

In recent years, he owned thoroughbreds trained by H. James Bond. He wished to have his ashes scattered over Go for Wand’s grave in the infield at Saratoga.

His marriages to Kim Maldiner and Colette Stass ended in divorce.

Survivors include his mother, Frances, and four brothers, David, Francis, Robert and James.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete.
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Area Deaths

November 11, 2013, 9:05 pm
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Larry Aiello, retiree of U.S. Postal Service, WWII Army veteran, died Nov. 9.

Francis Balcom, 90, died Nov. 9.

Henry F. Becker, died Nov. 8.

Robert C. Buckreis, 84, of Cheektowaga, former usher for Buffalo Bisons for 15 years, died Nov. 9.

Betty J. (Tomasello) Budelewski, died Nov. 9.

Josephine M. (Falsone) Campagna, 89, died Nov. 9.

John A. Cerra, of North Tonawanda, WWII Army Air Forces veteran, supervisor for Bell Aerospace, died Nov. 9.

Barbara D’Orazio, of West Seneca, died Nov. 9.

Barbara S. Elsholz, 55, of Dayton, died Nov. 9.

Elaine C. (Cocca) Glasser, of Depew, died Nov. 9.

Joyce B. (Barnstead) Hickey, 82, died Nov. 9.

Raymond A. Jerge, of Grand Island, died Nov. 8.

Catherine M. Lavery, 88, formerly of Niagara Falls, retired from Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center as vice president for patient care service, died Nov. 9 in Camden, S.C.

Elia R. “Leo” Mancini, 45, died Nov. 9.

Robert J. Molnar Sr., of Hamburg, Vietnam War veteran, died Nov. 6.

Elinor F. “Rick” Ostertag, Town of Tonawanda, died Nov. 10.

Joseph T. Prendergast, 50, died Nov. 8.



Raymond J. “Jack” Rebmann, died Nov. 9.

Arlene R. (Langless), Tharnish, 87, of Orchard Park, died Nov. 9.
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Michael P. Miller, FM radio personality who was popular as Iron Mike Bensson

November 11, 2013, 11:11 pm
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(Oct. 17, 1953 — Nov. 7, 2013

Michael Miller of Amherst, who spent years on the radio in Buffalo and St. Catharines, where he was known as Iron Mike Bensson, died Thursday from esophageal and stomach cancer. He was 60.

Miller had been at CHTZ 97.7 FM in Hamilton, Ont. since 1995. Previously he worked at Buffalo stations WBYR (now WLKK) and WUFX (now WEDG), as well as at WJJL-AM in Niagara Falls, and worked as a DJ at many local clubs.

“It takes a certain kind of guy to be crowned ‘The Iron One,’” but some of us were lucky enough to know one person that fits that description perfectly. … Many of us lost a very good friend,” HTZ-FM program director Bruce Gilbert wrote about Miller.

Listeners saddened by the news of Miller’s death placed bouquets of flowers on the front steps and near the sign of the radio station where he worked, and many expressed their sorrow on the station’s Website.

Miller, who was born in Buffalo, was also mourned by former Western New York co-workers who became lifelong friends.

Tony Magoo, who now works in Mississippi, first met Miller in the mid 1970s when they worked for a mobile DJ service called Moving Music Machine. Magoo started at WJJL in the fall of 1976 and Miller joined him there about a year later. Magoo said, “He used to tell people that he heard me on the air and he thought, ‘If that idiot can do that, so can I.’”

In 1986, Magoo recommended to program director and operations manager John “JP” Piccillo that Miller be hired to do the morning show with him at WBYR, 107.7 “The Bear.” The pair worked there for a few years, then worked together again at WUFX, 103.3 FM, “The Fox,” said Magoo.

The two worked together there from about 1989 until 1992. “We had a hell of a team there,” said Magoo, who is writing the eulogy he will deliver for his friend at services planned for the weekend.

“We were both in radio for the right reasons, we both loved music,” said Magoo. “Mike had this real hard exterior, but I don’t think people really understood his taste in music and his love for his family, his wife Amy. He and Amy had been together forever. His on-air thing in St. Catharines was the tough guy, ‘Iron Mike’ Bensson,” said Magoo. “But if you look at pictures of him hanging with old people and babies, that’s the real Mike.”

Piccillo, who works the midday shift at WGRF 96.9 FM, 97 Rock, called Miller “one of the great personalities I’ve ever known or worked with, not only on the radio but off air, too. He was one of the coolest cats I ever knew. We’d sit in my office and talk; I liked talking music with Mike.

“He was a big music guy, he definitely knew his music, everything from the rock that we played to the heavier rock he went on to play at CHTZ-FM to funk and Motown. He was just a real good broadcaster, really personable on the air. He could come up with some crazy catchphrases, and he connected with his audience, and I’m very proud to say I was the one who gave him his first job here in the Buffalo market. I’ve hired quite a few people in this market over the years and he was one of the great ones. Not only did he do great work with Tony Magoo, but he became a great friend.”

Piccillo said the two stayed in touch and he saw him just a month ago when Miller was in Hospice care. “I’m glad I got a chance to see him one more time,” Piccillo said. “He was fighting right to the end, talking about going back on the air. I got a chance to give him a kiss and tell him I loved him. He was a real good guy who was loved by many people.”

Miller is survived by his wife of 23 years, Amy K. (nee Stapleton) Miller; three daughters, Andrea Miller, Jennifer Miller and Trish Beeman; a son, John Coughlin; four brothers, Daniel Miller, Gary Miller, Benedict Miller III and Matthew Miller; and three sisters, Linda Coppola, Pamela Dennis and Jill Cohen; and seven grandchildren .

A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Tonawanda Chapel of Amigone Funeral Home, 2600 Sheridan Drive at Parker Boulevard.

A benefit planned since early October to help Miller’s family with medical expenses will be held from 2 to 6 p.m. Nov. 24 upstairs at Casa Di Pizza, 477 Elmwood Ave. Besides food and drink, The cost is $20 and tickets will be sold at the door. Information is available on the Facebook page titled “Remembering Iron Mike Bensson.”

email: aneville@buffnews.com

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Area Deaths

November 12, 2013, 7:32 pm
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Lena (Paulucci) Abramo, 91, of Tonawanda, died Nov. 11.

Emma Arlene (Burlingame) Babcock, 94, of Machias, died Nov. 10.

Calumbine “Cal” (Ciccone) Calandra, died Nov. 11.

Amal S. Coston, died Nov. 10.

Wilma L. Davis, died Nov. 9.

Edwin H. Deuchler, formerly of Kenmore, died Nov. 3.

Anthony J. Domino, 75, of Stamford, Conn., formerly of Buffalo, Coast Guard veteran, died Nov. 4.

Paul W. Fornes Jr., 58, died Nov. 10.

August Gambino, 84, died Nov. 9.

Charles Albert Golabek, 62, of Springville, died Nov. 9.

Daniel H. Hamilton Jr., 30, died Nov. 8.

Stephen J. Hooker, 64, of Wyoming, died Nov. 7.

Peter Jablonski, of Hamburg, Korean War veteran, died Nov. 10.

Joan K. (Kelly) Kane, 76, of Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, Fla., formerly of Williamsville, died Nov. 10.

Henry W. Kawalec, died Nov. 10.

Raymond H. Kirst, 95, of Eden, WWII Army veteran, salesman for 70 years and then president of E.P. Kirst & Sons in Hamburg for 28 years, died Nov. 9.

Gerda L. (Jacobi) Kirstein, of Depew, died Nov. 9.

Michael T. Kuster, of Silver Creek, died Nov. 10.

Frank J. Layman Jr., 59, of Olean, formerly of South Buffalo, died Oct. 23.

Dianne L. (Korcz) Malovich, of Elma, died Nov. 10.

Marie L. “Louise” (Page) McKay, of Fort Erie, Ont., an employee of AM&A’s for more than 40 years, died Nov. 8.

Leonard E. Rospierski, 71, of Chaffee, died Nov. 11.

Lorain A. (Zarnikau) Reimers, of West Seneca, died Nov. 10.

Bertram C. Stanton, of Corfu, died Nov. 11.

Michael J. Summers Sr., of North Tonawanda, died Nov. 11.



Natalie I. (Mendlewski) Swiatek, died Nov. 10.

Alice (Pelczynski) Szwajkowski, died Nov. 9.

Lucille M. (Robinson) Wagner, died Nov. 2.

Richard C. Williams Sr., 71, of Niagara Falls, Air Force veteran, died Nov. 11.

Norbert “Bud” Zylinski, died Nov. 9.
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John Tavener, acclaimed British composer

November 12, 2013, 11:07 pm
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Jan. 28, 1944 – Nov. 12, 2013

LONDON (AP) – British composer John Tavener, whose career was boosted with the help of The Beatles and who often is remembered for the elegiac song performed as Princess Diana’s coffin was carried out of Westminster Abbey, died Tuesday. He was 69.

Tavener’s publisher, Chester Music, said he died at his home in Child Okeford, southern England.

Born and trained in London, Tavener composed the beautiful “Song for Athene” – reworked as “Songs of Angels” – that caught the public’s mood at Diana’s funeral.

His wistful, elegant setting of William Blake’s poem “The Lamb” (1982) became a staple of Christmas carol services.

“I think there are an awful lot of artists around who are very good at leading us into hell,” Tavener once said. “I would rather someone would show me the way to paradise.”

An imposing figure, Tavener was strikingly tall – 6 feet, 6 inches – thin, and wore his hair long.

James Rushton, managing director of Chester Music, called Tavener “one of the unique and most inspired voices in music of the last 50 years.”

Tavener’s music was distinguished by quiet passages that seemed to shimmer like dawn light, and by its other-worldly intensity and moments of ecstasy.

He spoke of some compositions arriving instantaneously in his mind.

“If one is going to create this eternal, celestial music, one has got to listen, to be silent, to hear the angel of inspiration dictate,” he said in his 60th year.

His 1968 cantata “The Whale” brought him fame with the help of The Beatles, who released it on their Apple records label.

Tavener said he caught the attention of John Lennon and Yoko Ono at a party by playing a tape of his opera, “Notre Dames des Fleurs,” inspired by Jean Genet’s novel about a prisoner’s sexual fantasies.

The opera – which was later lost – featured obscene lyrics, a choir and what Tavener called his “thunderous” performance on the organ.

Lennon offered a recording deal the next day, Tavener said, but it needed another Beatle to get “The Whale” to market.

“It took Ringo, who is a lot more pragmatic than John,” Tavener said in a BBC interview. “Ringo actually brought out ‘The Whale’ and ‘Celtic Requiem.’ ”

Tavener’s later, better-known works flowed from his conversion to Orthodox Christianity and his collaboration with Mother Thekla, a Russian emigre and Orthodox nun to whom he turned for support after his mother died in 1985.

Thekla’s short “The Life of St. Mary of Egypt” inspired his 1992 opera, “Mary of Egypt,” and she provided many of the librettos for other works.

Tavener ranged widely in geography and spirituality in his pursuit of what he described as innocence. “The Veil of the Temple” (2002), a seven-hour work to be performed overnight, was an attempt “to remove the veils that hide the same basic truth of all authentic religions.”

Tavener, whose work was championed by Prince Charles, received a knighthood from Queen Elizabeth II in 2000 for services to music.

“He was an extraordinary British composer whose music will stand for some time,” said Daniel Jaffe, reviews editor at the BBC Music magazine.
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Joseph W. Kleinfelder Jr., retired Moog machinist

November 12, 2013, 11:08 pm
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March 29, 1927 – Nov. 10, 2013

A Mass of Christian Burial for Joseph William Kleinfelder Jr., a machinist at Moog and founder and president of the first BECCO/FMC Federal Credit Union, will be offered at 10:15 a.m. Friday in Queen of Heaven Catholic Church, 4220 Seneca St., West Seneca.

Mr. Kleinfelder died Sunday in ElderWood Health Care at Lakewood, Hamburg, after a brief battle with cancer. He was 86.

The Mass will be preceded by prayers at Sieck and Mast Funeral Home, 250 Orchard Park Road, West Seneca.
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