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Edward S. Falsetti, founded 2 engineering firms

January 4, 2014, 2:40 pm
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Dec. 25, 1926 – Jan. 1, 2014

Edward S. Falsetti, of Lockport, who founded two local engineering firms, died Wednesday in Buffalo General Medical Center after a brief illness. He was 87.

A Niagara Falls native, he graduated from Trott Vocational High School in Niagara Falls in 1944. After high school he served in the Army, worked at Union Carbide and attended the University of Buffalo, where he earned a bachelor of science in mechanical engineering in 1952.

He became a licensed professional engineer, worked at Chemical Design and started Mesch Engineering, where he remained until 2002.

Mr. Falsetti also was a founding partner of AFPS, a company that performed testing and research for General Motors Delphi. He continued engineering work as a consultant until his death.

He also enjoyed playing golf and sailing, serving as the commodore of the Olcott Yacht Club.

He was especially proud of his 57 years of service in the Lions Club, where he had served in the Olcott chapter as secretary, president, a member of the board of directors, editor of the newsletter and was named a life member.

He was active in promoting the club’s Polar Bear “Swim for Sight” days.

Mr. Falsetti was preceded in death by his wife of 48 years, the former Barbara Ann Lonctoin, who died in 1998.

He is survived by three sons, John, James and Guy; a daughter, Susan Falsetti-Breeloff; a sister, Elizabeth DiChiara; two brothers Dr. Dominic and Dr. Herman; 11 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren;.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10 a.m. Tuesday in St. Vincent de Paul Parish at Prince of Peace Church, 1055 North Military Road Niagara Falls.
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Vincent Scibetta, insurance agent, WWII Navy vet

January 4, 2014, 2:42 pm
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Aug. 6, 1920 – Dec. 30, 2013

Vincent Scibetta, who served in a Navy submarine force during World War II and was an insurance agent for more than a half-century, died Monday in Veterans Affairs Medical Center after a brief illness. He was 93.

Born to Italian immigrants parents, Mr. Scibetta grew up on the city’s West Side and graduated from Hutchinson-Central High School. He earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Buffalo.

During the war, he served in the Pacific Theater as an electrician’s mate aboard the USS Norris and USS Bunker Hill.

For 54 years, he was an agent for New York Life, making him the company’s longest-serving agent in the Buffalo region.

“Our father was an ambassador of Buffalo, always promoting the City of Good Neighbors to those whom he met throughout his travels in the U.S. and abroad,” said Carolyn Markiewicz, his youngest daughter. “We are inspired by his zest for life, kindness towards others and dedication to the community.”

A longtime Eggertsville resident, Mr. Scibetta was active in the Knights of Columbus, Order of Alhambra, Cantalician Center and Holy Name Society of St. Benedict Catholic Church, Eggerstville. He also was an enthusiastic donor to local charities.

As recently as last summer, he was an active participant in the Buffalo Senior Tennis League and was a member of the UB Gray Bulls, Amherst Audubon and St. Benedict Golf leagues and enjoyed playing handball, racquetball and bowling.

His wife of 57 years, the former Ruth McManus, died in 2007.

Survivors include three daughters, Cynthia Jiammarino, Carolyn Markiewicz and Christine; and a grandson.

A memorial Mass will be offered at 9:30 a.m. Saturday in St. Benedict Church, 1317 Eggert Road, Eggertsville.
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James N. McLean, longtime president of Herr Manufacturing Co.

January 4, 2014, 3:44 pm
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Dec. 1, 1918 – Jan. 2, 2014

James N. McLean, longtime president of Herr Manufacturing Co., died Thursday in his son’s Grand Island home. He was 95.

Born in the Magdalen Islands of the Canadian province of Quebec, Mr. McLean skipped high school – there wasn’t one on the island where he grew up – and served domestically with the Royal Canadian Air Force during World War II. Afterward, he earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Toronto and a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Buffalo.

Mr. McLean joined Herr in the 1950s and served as its president beginning in the early 1970s. Under his leadership, five companies were acquired and moved to the company’s Town of Tonawanda plant.

Founded in the early 1900s as a textile equipment manufacturer, Herr in more recent times made replacement parts for chain saws and other outdoor equipment.

Mr. McLean, who remained active with the company until November, held several patents.

A member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Mr. McLean was a past district grand lecturer; past patron of Betsy Ross-Levant Chapter 695; and a past master of Ancient Landmarks Lodge 358. He also was a past officer of Kenmore Rotary Foundation, an honorary member Kenmore Rotary and a Paul Harris Fellow.

He had served on the board of Frey the Wheelman Inc., where he also was a member. He also was a member of Kenmore Mercy Hospital’s Advisory Council.

His wife, the former Shirley J. Watson, died in 2011.

Survivors include two sons, James D. and Bruce A.; two daughters, Joyce E. Wahl and Janet E. Spence; a brother, Walter; two sisters, Ethel Gimlin and Edith Hopper; nine grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

Services will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday in St. Bartholomew’s Anglican Church, 2368 Eggert Road, Town of Tonawanda.
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Samuel E. Loliger, NCCC professor, gay rights activist

January 4, 2014, 3:47 pm
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Sept. 6, 1937 – Jan. 2, 2014

Samuel E. Loliger, a sociology professor at Niagara County Community College for 35 years who was active in the fight for gay rights, died Thursday in Hospice Wells House at Beechwood Continuing Care, Getzville, after a two-year battle with cancer. He was 76.

Mr. Loliger, a Kenmore resident, was born in Canton, Ohio, and earned his bachelor’s degree at Heidelberg College. He earned a master’s degree in education from the University at Buffalo.

He taught in a junior high school in Amherst, Ohio, for a short time before returning to Western New York and teaching at Oakfield-Alabama High School for about four years.

He was hired in 1964 at NCCC, where he taught courses in social problems, industrial relations, marriage and family, and sex roles.

Mr. Loliger was an active member of Riverside-Salem United Church of Christ, Grand Island, and took part in numerous national programs in that denomination.

He was a conference delegate to the UCC’s General Synods of 1983 and 1985, and served on numerous committees over the years, including the Coordinating Council for UCC’s Gay Caucus.

From 1984 to 1997, Mr. Loliger was one of the coordinators of the UCC Coalition for Lesbian and Gay Concerns. During his tenure, the coalition’s name was changed to the Coalition for LGBT Concerns.

At NCCC, Mr. Loliger was co-convener of the Affirmative Action Council and served as adviser to the LGBT student and staff group. He also advised the college group called MASH, for Make Aware and Serve the Handicapped.

Fair housing also was a concern of Mr. Loliger’s. At the time of his death, he was a board member of Housing Opportunities Made Equal, a position he had held for many years. In the late 1980s, he served as vice chairman of the state Division of Human Rights’ Advisory Board for the Buffalo region.

Mr. Loliger also served as president of OperaBuffs of Western New York from 2009 to 2013.

Survivors include his husband, Donald M. Behr, whom he married Oct. 1, 2012, after a relationship dating back to 1976.

Other survivors include three sons, Brian, Jeffrey and Scott; two stepchildren, Susan Langone and Peter Behr; two sisters, Ruth Volk and Martha Alexander; four grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at 2:30 p.m. next Sunday in Unitarian Universalist Church, 695 Elmwood Ave., Buffalo.
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Richard L. Miller, Department of Transportation designer, Scout leader

January 4, 2014, 6:37 pm
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Dec. 29, 1946 – Jan. 2, 2014

Richard L. Miller, a designer for the New York State Department of Transportation for 41 years, died Thursday in Harris Hill Nursing Facility, Lancaster. He was 67.

Mr. Miller was a lifelong Buffalo resident who graduated from School 68, Kensington High School and the University at Buffalo, where he earned a degree in civil engineering in 1969.

He started that year with the DOT in its signs and signals department before moving into highway design. He retired in 2010.

Mr. Miller’s work with the DOT was interrupted by three years in the Coast Guard from 1971-74, when he was stationed on Governor’s Island in New York Harbor.

He was an active Boy Scout and Cub Scout leader for three decades, working with Cub Scout packs 50 and 194, and Boy Scout Troops 28 and 194. He served and the commissioner’s staff and the training staff for the scout district, and received Scouting’s Silver Beaver Award and membership in the Order of the Arrow.

He returned to college for a degree in cultural anthropology in 1980, when he was also president of the honor society of the night school division of Millard Fillmore College.

Mr. Miller is survived by his wife of 44 years, the former Susan Cotton; a daughter, Jenniffer A.; two sons, Richard II and Bryan M.; four sisters, Carol, Karen Walters, Jacqueline Bickelman and Diane Leising; and three grandchildren.

Services will be held at 1 p.m. Monday in Vandercher & Dick Funeral Home, 2549 Main St., Buffalo.
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Jack J. Raisen, WWII veteran, engineer and real estate broker

January 5, 2014, 4:38 pm
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Feb. 6, 1919 – Dec. 30, 2013

Jack J. Raisen, whose long and varied career took him from the navigator’s seat of a World War II bomber to the real estate business in East Aurora, died Monday in the hospice unit of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Buffalo. He was 94.

Mr. Raisen, a Williamsville resident, also worked for several local engineering companies, including Westinghouse Electric Co.

He was born in Erie, Pa., but grew up on Buffalo’s West Side. Sponsored by the Butler Mitchell Boys Club, he won the city table tennis championship while attending Buffalo Technical High School, from which he graduated in 1936. He attended Iowa State University.

In 1942, Mr. Raisen joined the Army Air Forces and graduated from training at Maxwell Field, Ala., as a first lieutenant.

Stationed in England, Mr. Raisen flew over the Atlantic on anti-submarine patrol and also served as the navigator of a B-24 bomber on 30 missions over Nazi Germany.

After returning home, he was stationed in Tonopah, Nev., training personnel for service in the Pacific Theater before his honorable discharge in 1945.

He completed his education at the University of Buffalo, graduating as part of the first class of the School of Engineering in 1948. Besides his degree in mechanical engineering, he later earned a New York State professional engineer’s license.

Mr. Raisen worked for several local companies, with duties including electrical contracting, engineering for a heating and air conditioning firm, and nuclear energy work on a government contract.

He joined Westinghouse as a product line administrator, marketing motor control products on business trips throughout the eastern half of the country.

Westinghouse transferred him to Asheville, N.C., where he worked for nine years and then retired from the company in 1982.

He didn’t stop working, though. He became a real estate broker, opening a firm called Cove Realty with several associates.

Mr. Raisen stayed in the real estate business upon returning to Western New York in 1986, working for Century 21 Gold Standard in East Aurora.

He was an avid golfer, and played nine holes at least three times a week until he was 90. “He took pride in never taking a cart,” said his daughter, Jill Buerk.

He played the piano and organ, and sang with the Friends of Harmony Barbershop Chorus. He also was an active member of the Kiwanis Club.

His wife of 63 years, the former Clara P. Cavanaugh, died in 2005.

Besides his daughter, survivors include three grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Services will be private.
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Saul Zaentz, music producer, filmmaker responsible for 3 Oscar-winning movies, dies at 92

January 5, 2014, 7:26 pm
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Feb. 28, 1921 – Jan. 3, 2014

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) – Saul Zaentz, a music producer whose second career as a filmmaker brought him best-picture Academy Awards for “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest,” “Amadeus” and “The English Patient,” has died. He was 92.

Zaentz died Friday at his San Francisco apartment after suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, Paul Zaentz, the producer’s nephew and longtime business partner told the Associated Press.

Zaentz was never a prolific movie producer, but he took on classy productions, specializing in complex literary adaptations that Hollywood studios generally find too intricate to put on film.

Since moving into film at age 50 with 1972’s low-budget country-music drama “Payday,” Zaentz made just 10 movies, giving him a remarkable three-for-10 batting average on best-picture wins at the Oscars.

Among Zaentz’s other films were the 1978 animated version of “The Lord of the Rings,” which later paved the way for the blockbuster live-action trilogy.

He also brought out the 1986 Harrison Ford drama “The Mosquito Coast”; 1998’s acclaimed “The Unbearable Lightness of Being,” which co-starred “English Patient” Oscar winner Juliette Binoche; and 1991’s “At Play in the Fields of the Lord,” a critical and commercial flop despite a cast that included Kathy Bates, Tom Berenger and John Lithgow.

Zaentz was a throwback to old Hollywood, a producer who cared tremendously about his films and would go to extremes to get them right, often putting his own money up to help finance them.

He appreciated unique personal vision in directors, taking chances on relatively untested filmmakers.

Anthony Minghella had made just two small films when Zaentz picked him to direct “The English Patient,” whose awards included the best-director Oscar. Czech director Milos Forman had worked on films mostly in his home country when producers Zaentz and Michael Douglas chose him to make “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.” Forman also directed “Amadeus.”

Zaentz entered the movie business after growing bored with his successful recording-industry career, which included the Fantasy Records label he bought in 1967.

Largely a jazz label whose catalog includes albums by Miles Davis, John Coltrane and Sonny Rollins, Fantasy also released albums by Creedence Clearwater Revival. Zaentz sold Fantasy in 2004.

Zaentz had worked in the music industry for nearly two decades when he decided to try his hand at film. He tended to go after the rights to literary works he loved, and one of the first was Ken Kesey’s novel “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.”

Kirk Douglas owned the film rights. Zaentz said in a 1985 interview in the journal American Film that Douglas would only sell the rights if he could star.

Uninterested in those terms, Zaentz went off and produced “Payday,” which starred Rip Torn and cost $76,000, “of which we got $61,000 back” from the little seen film, Zaentz said. By then, Michael Douglas had obtained the “Cuckoo’s Nest” rights from his father, and he and Zaentz teamed up to make the film with Jack Nicholson.

The film won five Oscars and was the first since “It Happened One Night” 42 years earlier to sweep the top four categories: best picture, director (Forman), actor (Nicholson) and actress (Louise Fletcher).

Zaentz’s next film, the 1977 American Indian drama “Three Warriors,” quickly disappeared, and he later admitted his animated “Lord of the Rings” from 1978 had missed the mark.

Reteaming with Forman, Zaentz made “Amadeus,” which won eight Oscars.

Zaentz topped that with “The English Patient,” which won nine. The film nearly fell apart after original backer 20th Century Fox shut it down because Zaentz declined to recast with a bigger-name cast.

Miramax rescued the film, with Zaentz putting up cash of his own to round out the budget.
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Mary Ann Kaminski, retired high school teacher

January 6, 2014, 4:51 pm
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June 11, 1937 – Jan. 4, 2014

Mary Ann Kaminski, of Buffalo, a retired high school teacher, died Saturday in Harris Hill Nursing Home, Clarence. She was 76.

Born in Buffalo, she was a graduate of Villa Maria High School. She received her bachelor’s degree from D’Youville College and earned her master’s degree in education from Canisius College in 1962.

Miss Kaminski taught English and social studies in the Lancaster, Cheektowaga, Amherst and Williamsville school districts. She also was a resource room teacher.

She was a member of the D’Youville and Canisius College alumni associations, the BOCES Co-op Teachers Association, the Association of New York State Educators for the Emotionally Disturbed and the Association for Children With Learning Disabilities.

She also was a board member and officer of the Polish Arts Club of Buffalo.

She received the LaSalle Medal, the highest honor given by the Canisius College Alumni Association, in 1992.

As a young woman, she was a professional model at Flint & Kent department store.

Survivors include a brother, Leon.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 9 a.m. Thursday in St. Gregory the Great Catholic Church, 200 St. Gregory Court at Maple Road, Amherst.
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Robert G. Palmatier, had lifelong love of airplanes

January 6, 2014, 5:46 pm
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June 9, 1928 – Jan. 3, 2014

Robert G. Palmatier, who died Friday in his Lockport home, had a lifelong love of airplanes and flying. He was 85.

Born in Rochester, he built model airplanes and worked at Hyland Airport while he was a student at Monroe High School. He earned his pilot’s license at age 16, before he acquired a driver’s license. The first person he took for a flight was his mother.

After graduating from high school in 1946, he joined the Air Force, where he earned his aircraft mechanics license. He served as an aircraft and power plant mechanic, and studied to teach avionics until he was discharged due to family considerations. He served for about five years in the Air Force Reserve.

In the 1980s, he rebuilt a Pipe J5-A aircraft and received a second-place award at the first Piper Classic Show of Airplanes in 1986. He also helped in restoration projects on other aircraft, including a Bell helicopter and a NE1 Navy fighter plane.

He was a member of EAA (Experimental Aircraft Association) Chapter 656 and was a technical counselor for the EAA. He was a charter member of the Clarence airport and a past president of the Aero Club of Buffalo. He also was involved with the Clarence Aerodrome and volunteered at various air shows, including the one in Niagara Falls.

Although airplanes were his passion, cars and car repairs were his bread and butter.

He worked as a mechanic and painter at various dealerships and private auto shops in the Rochester area until 1957, when he went to work as an independent auto collision appraiser.

In 1972, Mr. Palmatier moved to the Buffalo area to set up a branch of IADA-Auto Collision Appraisers in Kenmore.

Later, he became owner of Auto Collision Appraisers and received an award for serving as chairman of the state coordinating committee for the Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair.

After he retired in 1992, he helped restore a Model T Ford truck.

From the mid-1950s to the early 1970s, he also devoted considerable time and effort to archery. He was state champion in the men’s freestyle amateur division in 1965 and regular placed in archery tournaments throughout Western New York.

Mr. Palmatier served as president of the Rochester Archery Club, taught archery in the Rush-Henrietta Schools adult education program, set up a small business making and selling bow strings and arrows, and was tournament director for the New York State Archery Association Championships in Henrietta in 1970.

He also hunted with bow and arrows for many years. A newspaper dubbed him the “Henrietta Robin Hood” in 1968.

He lived in Getzville from 1973 until he moved to Lockport in 1998.

Survivors include his wife of 61 years, the former Edith Thiel; two sons, Richard G. and R. Scott; a daughter, Nancy A.; a brother, Richard E.; and four grandchildren.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday in Amigone Funeral Home, 5200 Sheridan Drive, Amherst.
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Area Deaths

January 6, 2014, 11:26 pm
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Daniel J. Baker, 87, of Barker, World War II Marine veteran, retired owner/operator of The Village Store, chaplain of Herbert R. Carr VFW Post, died Jan. 6.

Helen M. (Bartz) Foore, died Jan. 2.

Patricia H. Garman, of East Aurora, died Jan. 1.

Evelyn Garten, of Grand Island, died Jan. 4.

Florence (Toczek) Golonka, of Cheektowaga, died Jan. 4.

Laura (Ostrowski) Gramza, of Depew, member of Our Lady of Pompeii Church Altar and Rosary Society, and Depew Senior Citizens, died Jan. 4.

Janet L. Groves, of Medina, died Jan. 2.

Claire Lisette “Pat” (Heyl) Hubbard, of the Town of Tonawanda, died Dec. 7.

Barbara A. Logan, 78, of Hamburg, died Jan. 4.

Margaret M. (Nowak) Marrocco, of Lackawanna, died Jan. 5.

James N. McLean, past master of Ancient Landmark Lodge 358 and past patron of Ross Levant Chapter 695, Eastern Star, died Jan. 2.

Donald J. Mclellan Jr., of Orchard Park, died Jan. 3.

Marcella T. (Wieczorowski) Sokol, died Dec. 31.

John W. “Jack” Stevens, 92, of Hamburg, World War II veteran with 82nd Airborne Division 325th Infantry Glider Unit, Ford Stamping Plant retiree, member of Hamburg Council 2220 Knights of Columbus, died Jan. 2.

Gertrude “Dorothy” (Balas) Zawadzki, of Lackawanna, died Jan. 3.

Kenneth R. “Oscar” Zeis, 81, of West Seneca, Air Force veteran, 30-year banker for M&T Bank, died Jan. 3.

Nicolo Zivis, died Jan. 5.
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Charles F. Cordone, Buffalo barber and musician

January 7, 2014, 5:24 pm
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May 21, 1941 – Jan. 5, 2014

Charles Frank Cordone, of Buffalo, a barber and musician who was prominent on the city’s West Side, died Sunday in McAuley Residence, Kenmore, where he been a resident for three years. He was 72.

Born in Buffalo, the son of a barber and musician, he graduated from Grover Cleveland High School before attending barber school. He owned and operated Chuck’s Artistic Barber Shop for about 45 years at Pennsylvania and Plymouth avenues.

A guitarist and singer, he and his band, Chuck Cordone and Friends, were a staple at Buffalo’s annual Italian Heritage Festival. He performed for President Ronald Reagan when he dedicated the Santa Maria Towers on Connecticut Street in 1984.

Mr. Cordone also was featured in three movies filmed in Buffalo – “Hide in Plain Sight,” “The Promised Land” and “Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow.” For “Hide in Plain Sight,” he was a musician and cut the hair of many of the cast members, including James Caan.

Featured regularly at Italian Heritage Night at the downtown ballpark, he was honored by the Bisons with their Man of the Year Award. He also received a community service award from the Fargo Estate Neighborhood Association.

He was a longtime parishioner at Holy Angels Catholic Church.

Survivors include his wife of 48 years, the former Betty DiRosa; a son, Louis; three daughters, Lisa Caito, Carla Reyes and Gina; three sisters, Teresa Cretacci, Carmela Abbatoy and Rose Mariani; eight grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 11 a.m. Thursday in Holy Angels Church, 348 Porter Ave.
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Area Deaths

January 7, 2014, 10:39 pm
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Robert J. Carson Jr., of Snyder, Vietnam War Navy veteran and longtime Little League coach for Cheektowaga Crabapple Baseball, died Jan. 6.

Carol (Patti) D’Amico, died Jan. 4.

Margaret Donato, 86, died Jan. 4.

Mary Ann (Czosek) Gentz, died Jan. 4.

Phyllis Goldberg, died Jan. 6.

Edward N. Grus, of Cheektowaga, World War II Navy veteran and member of Carpenters Local 276, died Jan. 5.



Michael R. Kasprzyk, of Lancaster, died Jan. 5.

Sophie (Drzewiecki) Kaznowski, died Jan. 6.

Donald J. Kobis, 75, retired state Department of Transportation employee and member of the Retired Railroad Workers League, died Jan. 4.

Gerald R. Monk, of Alden, died Jan. 6.

Janice R. (Delaney) Morrissey, died Jan. 4.

John F. Noto, World War II Army veteran, died Jan. 6.

Helen M. (Hammer) Pollo, died Jan. 6.

Mary (Mazza) Russo, of Tonawanda, died Jan. 5.

Elsie R. Scheufele, of Hamburg, died Jan. 4.

Martha (Godlewski) Shaw, of Cheektowaga, died Jan. 5.

Irma I. (Ewers) Stone, 89, singer for Bavarian Singers, died Jan. 2.

Gloria L. Thomas, died Jan. 3.

Rev. William E. Turner Sr., died Jan. 2.

Zachary Yambor, died Jan. 4.
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Terry F. Eiduson, 90, comptroller at Hoelscher’s

January 8, 2014, 1:36 pm
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March 15, 1923 – Jan. 5, 2014

Terry F. Eiduson, of the Town of Tonawanda, retired comptroller at Hoelscher’s Stationary and Office Supply, died Sunday in Beechwood Rehabilitation Center, Getzville, after a short illness. She was 90.

Born Terry Florence in Toronto, she came to Buffalo as a war bride in 1942. After raising two sons, she took a correspondence course in accounting in the 1950s and worked her way from bookkeeper at Seneca Blue Print to comptroller at Hoelscher’s. She retired in 1984.

Twice married, her second husband, Jake Eiduson, owner of Eiduson Hardware, Town of Tonawanda, died in 2007.

She was a member of Temple Beth Zion and its Sisterhood.

Survivors include two sons, Alan Meyers and Roger Meyers; six grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

Services were Wednesday in Amherst Memorial Chapel, Getzville.
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Area Deaths

January 8, 2014, 2:13 pm
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Phyllis M. (Iacono) Batkowski, member of Hutch-Tech Alumnus Association, retiree of Buffalo Psychiatric Center and longtime volunteer of Hospice Buffalo, died Jan. 4.

Michele (Piddisi) Bornstein, 64, died Jan. 5.

Connor Ethan Steffans Bukowiecki, altar server at Our Lady of Victory Basilica, attended Canisius High School, member of Boy Scout Troop 500 at St. James Parish, died Jan. 6.

Frank S. Bulden Sr., of Buffalo, died Jan. 5.

Lester D. Conrad, 58, of Wheatfield, former employee of Union Carbide, Enbridge Energy and FMC Corp., died Jan. 7.

Helen E. (Braciak) Dare, member of St. Josaphat’s Parish Sacred Heart Society and parish choir, died Jan. 5.

Mary Anna (Csati/Chati) Dimmitt, 93, World War II veteran, died Jan. 2.

Martha M. (Radlich) Felton, died Jan. 4.

Estelle M. “Ginger” (Mikulski) Gass, 89, died Jan. 6.

Robert Ralph Hemstock, 68, Vietnam War Army sergeant, died Jan. 6.

Marcella (Stachowiak) Jakubowski, of Depew, died Jan. 4.

Chester J. Kraszewski, 97, died Jan. 4.

Ellen M. Laport, of Lockport, died Jan. 6.

Gerald F. Maciuba, owner of Paperback Trading Post for 38 years, died Jan. 5.

Florence P. (Bernacki) Mazurkiewicz, of Lancaster, active member of the Polka Family, died Jan. 4.

Donald J. Mclellan Jr., of Orchard Park, died Jan. 3.

Sandra (Shanaman) Meckes, of the City of Tonawanda, died Jan. 5.

Robert G. Palmatier, died Jan. 3.

Mary E. Pitiss, of Lockport, died Jan. 6.

Mary (Mazza) Russo, of Tonawanda, died Jan. 5.

John O. Schaefer, of Lancaster, died Jan. 4.

Carmela Smiraglia, died Jan. 5.

Marcella T. (Wieczorowski) Sokol, died Dec. 31.
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Gerald F. Maciuba, owned Paperback Trading Post

January 8, 2014, 3:43 pm
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Nov. 15, 1947 – Jan. 5, 2014

Gerald F. Maciuba, longtime owner of Paperback Trading Post on Seneca Street, died Sunday in Mercy Hospital. He was 66.

Mr. Maciuba suffered from muscular dystrophy from the time he was a child, according to his wife of 23 years, the former Rose Polak.

He grew up in Depew and attended St. Mary’s High School before deciding he wanted to enter the priesthood.

“But being a priest was not for him,” his wife said. “So he started a trucking business and drove a truck with hand controls until it became too difficult for him to get in and out of the cab.”

“Gerry found his way to paperbacks,” she said. “For 38 years, he refused to give the store up even though his physical limitations were increasing.”

Mr. Maciuba was described as a reader who always had time to listen to his customers.

“There were days he would wake up and he was so sore,” his wife said. “I urged him to stay home, but he said being at the store made him feel better.”

Paperback Trading Post had been closed for 18 months because Mr. Maciuba lost his ability to speak, his wife said.

“He was learning to talk with a machine; the machine would speak for him,” she said. “We were to reopen the store, but he passed away.”

Mr. Maciuba often contributed books to hospitals and nursing homes, his wife said.

In 2009, Mr. Maciuba received the Robert Ross Muscular Dystrophy Association Personal Achievement Award for Western New York.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by three stepdaughters, Dawn Schneider, Angel Schneider and DeeDee Schneider, and four grandchildren.

Prayers will be said at 1 p.m. Friday in James W. Cannan Funeral Home, 2397 Seneca St.
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Donald J. Kobis, retired DOT civil engineer

January 8, 2014, 5:45 pm
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Aug. 4, 1938 – Jan. 4, 2014

Donald J. Kobis, of West Seneca, a retired civil engineer for the state Department of Transportation, died Saturday in Mercy Hospital. He was 75.

Born in Buffalo, he graduated from Bishop Timon High School in 1955, then attended the University of Buffalo and UB’s Millard Fillmore College. He served in the Army National Guard as a military policeman.

Mr. Kobis worked as a civil engineer for the DOT in design and utility from 1959 to 1995. From 1998 to 2008, he was resident engineer for Om Popli Consulting Engineering, Urban Engineering and Prudent Engineering.

He was a member of the New York State Public Employees Federation and the New York State Association of Transportation Engineers. He was the only person to receive the NYSATE Engineer of the Year Award two years in a row.

Noted for his wisdom and sense of humor, he was an avid golfer and bowler, whose top series was 601 with the St. Teresa’s Holy Name Society team. A member of Holland Hills Country Club, he was a volunteer gallery marshal at the Nationwide Tour Lake Erie Charity Classic at Peek ’N Peak Resort.

He was a member of St. Teresa Catholic Church and its Holy Name Society, and Amherst Marina. He was a summer resident in Camp Chautauqua and the Town of Hanover.

His wife of 32 years, Gail Y. Sabo Kobis, died in 1994.

Survivors include a son, Daniel; four daughters, Mary, Judith, Joan Kobis-Bruce and Jean; a sister, Marcy Pienkowski; and eight grandchildren.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10:30 a.m. Friday in St. Teresa’s Church, 1974 Seneca St.
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Valentine A. ‘Bill’ Kazinski, journeyman electrician

January 9, 2014, 4:11 pm
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Oct. 11, 1925 – Jan. 3, 2014

Valentine A. “Bill” Kazinski, of Amherst, a journeyman electrician and World War II veteran, died last Friday in Rosa Coplon Skilled Nursing Facility, Getzville. He was 88.

Born in Buffalo, he was a graduate of Seneca Vocational High School and served in the Navy during World War II as an electrician’s mate third class aboard a rescue tug. He took part in the Normandy invasion, the invasion of southern France and the rescue of four Liberty Ships.

Returning from service, Mr. Kazinski worked for 35 years as a journeyman electrician for Local 41, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. He worked on major construction projects throughout Western New York, northern Pennsylvania and New York City, including the construction of Ralph Wilson Stadium and New York City’s Pan-Am Building.

An avid golfer, he won numerous local tournaments in the 1960s and 1970. For many years, he played at Audubon Golf Course in Amherst.

He was an original member of the Buffalo Bills Boosters and a season ticket holder until the 1980s. A longtime friend of Bills tight end Ernie Warlick, he often appeared on Warlick’s television show.

Mr. Kazinski also was a musician who played piano by ear, as well as drums. He sat in with many local bands in the 1950s and 1960s.

Survivors include his wife of 65 years, the former Gloria Waldorf; two sons, Charles and Kurt; two daughters, Valerie Aronson and Glory Tonnies; five granddaughters; and three great-grandchildren.

A memorial Mass will be offered at 9 a.m. Feb. 8 in St. Leo the Great Catholic Church, 885 Sweet Home Road, Amherst.
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David A. Busenlehner, West Seneca German teacher

January 9, 2014, 5:59 pm
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Sept. 18, 1946 – Jan. 5, 2014

David A. Busenlehner, of Bliss, a retired teacher, died Sunday in Mercy Hospital after a long illness. He was 67.

Born in Buffalo, he was a graduate of Riverside High School and earned a master’s degree in chemistry from Hobart College.

Mr. Busenlehner taught chemistry and German at West Seneca West High School, retiring in 2000. He also worked as a stockbroker for S.C. Parker & Co. and as a tax preparer. He lived in Bliss for about 20 years.

Survivors include his mother, Beverly Salisbury; two brothers, Kenneth C. and Gary W.; and a sister, Barbara J. Buckley.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday in F.E. Brown Sons Funeral Home, 6575 E. Quaker St., Orchard Park.
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Area Deaths

January 9, 2014, 9:36 pm
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Hattie Mae Applewhite, died Jan. 8.

Priscilla (Gatten) Bassett, died Jan. 4.

Donald N. Bodekor, of Hamburg, died Jan. 8.

John A. “Jack” Bradley, of Akron, died Jan. 1.

Michele M. (Geiger) Breier, of Grand Island, died Jan. 7.

David A. Busenlehner, of Wyoming County, died Jan. 5.

Ruth (Caiati) Chiccone, of North Tonawanda, died Jan. 7.

Lillian M. Dattilo, of Youngstown, died Jan. 7.

Jason R. DeJoy, 40, died Jan. 7.

Judith Ellcome, 65, of Youngstown, died Jan. 8.

Charles H. Emerson, 85, died Jan. 6.

Nora J. Ernst, died Jan. 6.

Karen D. Hale, 51, of Silver Creek, died Jan. 8.

Paul J. Hendricks, 79, died Jan. 6.

David R. Horn, of Lancaster, died Jan. 7.

Richard “Rick” Dennis Jaszczak, died Jan. 3.

Joan M. (Drilling) Kader, of Clarence, died Jan. 8.

Michael Wallace Kisiel, 76, of North Tonawanda, died Jan. 4.

Janet McClelland Low, died Jan. 9.

Acie W. Moore Jr., of Buffalo, died Jan. 5.

Stanley F. Oryszak, 82, died Jan. 3.

Rocco J. Pelino, died Jan. 5.

Elizabeth G. Radke, 91, died Dec. 24.

Edwin C. Rider, 92, died Jan. 7.

John G. Scheuer, of Lancaster, died Jan. 8.

Bridget A. (Matuszak) Schuh, 47, of Cheektowaga, died Jan. 6.

Arthur R. Siudzinski, of Alden, died Jan. 7.

Robin J. Solat, 51, of Cuba, died Dec. 31.

Gregory Thomasulo, 61, of North Tonawanda, died Jan. 6.

Eleanor A. (Aldrich) Tighe, of Blasdell, died Jan. 2.

Monnie Jo Price Tobin, died Jan. 5.

Patricia A. (Carr) Weber, died Jan. 6.

Ivadel A. Williams, of Springville, died Jan. 8.

Chester Woloszyn, of Buffalo, died Jan. 6.

Peter “Piper” Warner Wyckoff, 45, died Dec. 30.
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Eugene J. Zdybowicz, 91, retired postal foreman

January 10, 2014, 2:12 pm
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March 19, 1922 – Dec. 29, 2013

Eugene J. Zdybowicz Sr., of Williamsville, a retired postal worker, died Dec. 29 in St. John Baptist Hospice House. He was 91.

Born in Buffalo to Polish immigrants who operated a family fruit and vegetable business in the old open-air Broadway Market, he contracted polio at age 2. Although the illness left him without the use of his right arm and limited use of his right leg, he never let that stand in his way.

He began working in the family’s business at age 10 while attending School 10. In his teens, he picked up wholesale produce to sell at the market.

Not allowed to play sports as a student at Kensington High School because of his disability, Mr. Zdybowicz pursued his passion for baseball in the city leagues.

Nicknamed “Lefty,” he played right field and shortstop.

During World War II, he enlisted in the Army and was stationed in Memphis, Tenn., where he served as a hospital orderly and a baker.

When the family business closed upon the death of his father in 1957, he took a position as a mail handler at the Main Post Office and advanced to foreman. He retired in 1989.

Survivors include his wife of 66 years, the former Eleonore Stefaniak; five daughters, Claudia Preve, Janice Schlau, Natalie Wopperer, Nancy Zee and Bernadette Rizzo; a son, Eugene Jr.; eight grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.

A memorial Mass will be offered at 9:30 a.m. next Saturday in SS. Peter & Paul Catholic Church, 5480 Main St., Williamsville.
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