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James J. Laettner, teacher, plumber, honor guard

May 30, 2013, 8:58 pm
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June 12, 1945 – May 25, 2013

James J. Laettner, a retired Buffalo teacher who served as an honor guard at the Tomb of the Unknowns in Arlington National Cemetery, died Saturday in his home in Tampa, Fla., after a struggle with cancer. He was 67.

Born in Buffalo, he was a graduate of McKinley High School, where he trained in plumbing. Drafted into the Army, he served as an honor guard at the Tomb of the Unknowns in 1966 and 1967.

Returning from service, he continued training with Plumbers Local 36, later Local 22, then earned his teaching degree from Buffalo State College.

Mr. Laettner taught plumbing at McKinley High School for 32 years and was honored as Teacher of the Year. He retired in 2002 and moved to Florida.

Known to his friends as “Nipper,” he enjoyed golfing and travel.

Surviving are his wife, the former Sandra Wilke; two sons, Jason and Evan; a stepson, Frederick Ullrich; two brothers, George and Francis; a sister, Irene Zawadski; and his first wife, the former Linda Martin.

A memorial service in Buffalo will be arranged.
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Area Deaths

May 31, 2013, 6:22 pm
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Rowland F. Blackley Sr., died May 30.

Velva Marie Colter, 67, of Buffalo, supervisor for the state Office of Mental Health, died May 24.

Ralph H. Fink, of Clarence Center, died May 30.

Alice Rose (Lutton) Glover, of East Aurora, died May 30.

Mary Lou (Graeber) Guido, of Depew, died May 29.

Pharilee V. (Small) Hall, died May 28.

Khalil Y. Hazzan, died May 30.

Denise S. Kropp, of Depew, member of Depew Fire Department Central Hose Company No. 4 Ladies Auxillary, died May 29.

Ruth (Lohde) Kulyk, former volunteer for Shea’s Buffalo and Studio Arena Theatre, died May 29.

Albert I. Licata, 89, died May 29.

Mary (O’Connor) Lynch, of Grand Island, died May 29.

Helen Doreen Lyons, 95, of Amherst, formerly of the Town of Tonawanda, former employee of Buffalo Psychiatric Center, died May 30.

Betty G. (Koepf) Molloy, died May 30.

Stuart M. Nadel, died May 29.

Virginia (Lithgow) Neubert, member of A.J. Jurek American Legion Post 1672 Ladies Auxiliary, died May 29.

Flossie M. Noworyta, of Derby, died May 30.

Chloe Rose O’Day, died May 30.

Barbara A. Peoples, of Lackawanna, died May 26.

Valentine M. Prywer, died May 30.

Richard S. Pulkownik, of Cheektowaga, Korean War Navy veteran and member of UAW Local 424, died May 29.

James Henry Riley Jr., member of Cayuga Nation, Air Force veteran, died May 22.

Alice T. (Fahey) St. Clair, of Getzville, died May 27.

Fred Sibley Jr., of Buffalo, died May 30.

John F. Syrek, of Buffalo, died May 27.

Joseph P. Tomasulo, 84, died May 23.

Francis J. “Frank “Vitko, security industry manager and Army veteran, died May 30.

Ann M. (McLaughlin) Westner, 80, died May 29.
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William Slack Jr., 93, honored firefighter

May 31, 2013, 7:38 pm
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Oct. 26, 1919 – May 20, 2013

William H. Slack Jr., of Williamsville, a retired Buffalo firefighter who earned numerous honors for his rescue work, died May 20 in ElderWood Health Care at Oakwood, Amherst, after a short illness. He was 93.

Born in Buffalo, he was a graduate of Fosdick-Masten Park High School. He served in the Army during World War II and was among the first troops deployed to Great Britain. He took part in landings in Africa, Sicily and Italy.

He was awarded five Battle Stars, the Purple Heart, the Bronze Arrowhead, the Distinguished Service Cross and two Presidential Commendations.

Mr. Slack joined the Buffalo Fire Department in 1950 and won numerous honors and citations. He was given the Edward H. Butler Medal for assisting in saving the lives of a priest and his nephew in Lake Erie in 1954. He retired in 1981 as assistant superintendent of apparatus.

He also was awarded the Erie County Fire Chiefs Medal for rescuing a woman from a burning building; the Erie County Fire Chiefs Mutual Aid Association Award for carrying two children to safety from a house fire; the SPCA Award for saving a cat from a burning building; the Citizen Hero Award; and the Frank A. Sedita Good Neighbor Award in 1986 for his unselfish service to people in his neighborhood.

He was a member of the Fire Department Retirement Club; George F. Lamm Post 622, American Legion; and Louis J. Boland Post 258, American Legion, where he served as commander.

He also was a member of the Combat Veterans Association and the Disabled American Veterans.

An Eagle Scout, he was active in the Boy Scouts for 30 years. He was scoutmaster and chairman of Troop 55 and a member of the Order of the Arrow. He organized the Old Humboldt District Order of the Arrow and served as its first adviser.

His wife of 52 years, Mae Elsesser Slack, died in 1994.

Survivors include a son, William H. III; and two daughters, Judith Miceli and Susan.

A memorial service was held May 22 in Harris Hill Cemetery, Clarence.
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Lawrence Toughey, longtime newspaper distributor

May 31, 2013, 7:38 pm
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Nov. 29, 1930 – May 29, 2013

Laurence “Roger” Toughey, who had a lifelong career distributing Buffalo’s daily newspapers, died Wednesday in McAuley Residence in the Town of Tonawanda. He was 82.

Born in Buffalo, Mr. Toughey grew up on the West Side, where he served several years as an altar boy at Holy Angels Catholic Church on Porter Avenue and was a graduate of Holy Angels High School.

After graduation, he immediately began his career in newspaper distribution. He worked full time at both the Courier-Express and The Buffalo News. After the Courier-Express ceased publication in 1982, he continued working at The Buffalo News until he retired in 1990.

During the Blizzard of 1977, Mr. Toughey worked late into the night to bring food, donated by nearby restaurants, to stranded employees of the Courier-Express. He later found his car on top of another in the employee parking lot where it had been plowed along with the piles of snow.

His wife, Beverly A. Dundon Toughey, died in 2006.

Survivors include a stepdaughter, Cheryl A. Cummings, and a stepson, William G. Cummings.

Services will be at 2 p.m. Monday in Dengler, Roberts, Perna Funeral Home, 3000 Delaware Ave., Kenmore.
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Kevin Stoldt Jr., custom home builder

May 31, 2013, 7:38 pm
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Jan. 15, 1972 – May 30, 2013

Kevin Stoldt Jr., vice president of CMK Builders in Alden, died Thursday in Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital, Amherst, after a short illness. He was 41.

Born in Buffalo, Mr. Stoldt graduated from Alden High School in 1991. He had been working for his father’s custom home building company since age 12.

He was known for doing construction work at job sites, including operating machinery such as the Bobcat and bulldozer and doing finishing work on homes.

He married Brandi Bocek on Aug. 17, 1996, in Town Line Lutheran Church, Alden. They settled in Alden and later moved to Akron in 2004.

He was an avid hunter, camper and golfer.

In addition to his wife of 16 years, he is survived by three sons, Ryan, Joshua and Cameron; his parents, Kevin Sr. and Cathy; and a brother, Matthew.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10 a.m. Tuesday in St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 2021 Sandridge Road, Alden.
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Lorenz Sticht, funeral director, member of Rotary

May 31, 2013, 7:39 pm
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Jan. 31, 1933 – May 26, 2013

Lorenz C. “Larry” Sticht, a former funeral director at several Western New York funeral homes, died Sunday at his home in Rincon, Ga., after a lengthy battle with Alzheimer’s disease. He was 80.

Mr. Sticht was a graduate of Orchard Park High School and the Simmons School of Mortuary Science in Syracuse.

Over the course of his career, he served as a funeral director for W.L. Froehley Funeral Home in Hamburg, Wurtz Funeral Home in Boston and Dengler, Roberts and Perna Funeral Home. He retired in 2005.

“He was a very distinguished gentleman, and he was known for his love of new cars,” said his wife, Patricia. “He had many, many friends, and they would kid him about it.”

Mr. Sticht also worked as a landsman for United Field Service for 25 years, often on behalf of National Fuel Gas.

He was a longtime member of the Orchard Park and Springville Rotary clubs and Springville Country Club. He also was an avid boater.

Mr. Sticht and his wife of 41 years were longtime Silver Creek residents. They moved to Rincon in 2011 to be close to some of their children.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by two daughters, Candy Wierzba and Kathy Nigro; two sons, Guy and Fritz; a stepdaughter, Kathleen Ahrens; a stepson, Jack Pfeiffer; and a sister, Betty Franklin.

Private services will be in Woodlawn Cemetery, Orchard Park.
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Charles E. Taylor, teacher, principal in Amherst, Williamsville schools

May 31, 2013, 7:39 pm
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Sept. 6, 1928 – May 29, 2013

Charles E. Taylor, a lifelong educator in the Amherst schools, died Wednesday. He was 84.

Born in Dunkirk, Mr. Taylor attended St. Mary’s High School before enrolling at Fredonia State Teachers College. He went on to earn a master’s degree from the University at Buffalo and also served in the U.S. Air Force.

Mr. Taylor was the first principal of Maplemere Elementary School in the Williamsville School Districtt, a position in which he served for three decades.

He was also an assistant principal at Dodge Road Elementary and taught fifth and sixth grades at Smallwood School in the Amherst School District.

He was active in AMVETS and was a past president of Phi Delta Kappa, the professional fraternity for educators.

Mr. Taylor is survived by his wife, the former Margery Rupp;l and two daughters, Charyl Safley and Beth Taylor.

A memorial service will be at 2 p.m. today in St. Bartholomew’s Anglican Church, 2368 Eggert Road, Town of Tonawanda.
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Geraldine L. Chambers, SPCA director of volunteers

June 1, 2013, 7:20 pm
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Oct. 22, 1931 – May 28, 2013

Geraldine L. Chambers, retired SPCA official, secretary for the Erie County Health Department and active community volunteer, died Tuesday in Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital, Amherst, after a lengthy illness. She was 81 and had been under hospice care.

Born in Lackawanna, the former Geraldine L. Dwyer was a lifelong Buffalo-area resident and lived in the Town of Tonawanda. She was a graduate of Lackawanna High School.

From 1945 to 1965, she worked for the county Health Department out of Buffalo City Hall, where she met her husband, Leo J., who was a county health inspector at the time.

Mrs. Chambers was coordinator of volunteers for the SPCA Serving Erie County. She is credited with establishing the long-standing Pet Therapy Program, coordinating the visits of more than 100 volunteers who brought dogs and cats to skilled nursing facilities and residential care units. She retired from the SPCA in 1988.

As a volunteer, she served as a Campfire Girls troop leader and was active in the Swiftwater Power Squadron.

Family members described her as fun-loving and said she enjoyed bringing people together and helping to connect pets to the right owner.

Besides her husband of 59 years, she is survived by a daughter, Patricia Alessandra; and a sister, Sharon Glenn.

A Mass of Christian Burial was offered Saturday in St. Mary Catholic Church, Swormville.
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Charles E. Taylor, Maplemere Elementary School principal

June 2, 2013, 3:01 pm
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Sept. 6, 1928 – May 29, 2013

Charles E. Taylor of Amherst, the first principal of Maplemere Elementary School, died Wednesday in ElderWood Health Care at Oakwood, Amherst. He was 84.

A native of Dunkirk, he was a graduate of St. Mary’s High School in Dunkirk and earned a bachelor’s degree from Fredonia State Teachers College. He obtained certification in administration and earned a master’s degree from the University at Buffalo.

Mr. Taylor served in the U.S. Air Force and was a member of Post 49, AMVETS.

He was the first principal when Maplemere Elementary opened in the Sweet Home Central School District, a post he held for 30 years.

He also had served as assistant principal at Dodge Road Elementary School and taught fifth and sixth grades at Smallwood Drive Elementary School. After he retired, he oversaw student teachers at Canisius College.

Mr. Taylor was past president of the educational fraternity Phi Delta Kappa. He enjoyed playing golf.

Survivors include his wife, the former Margery Rupp, and two daughters, Charyl Safley and Beth.

A memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Saturday in St. Bartholomew Anglican Church, 2368 Eggert Road, Town of Tonawanda.
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Josephine Gajkowski, retired owner of Ray’s Lounge

June 2, 2013, 3:05 pm
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Aug. 5, 1937 – May 29, 2013

Josephine “Joyce” Gajkowski, retired owner of Ray’s Lounge and Catering on Clinton Street in Kaisertown, died Wednesday in her Evans home. She was 75.

Mrs. Gajkowski and her husband, Walter, bought Ray’s in 1984 from former Cheektowaga Councilman Ray Wasielewski.

She retired from the family business in 2002, but daughters Cheryl A. Tkaczyk and Anne Marie Kruger continue to run the business.

Prior to buying Ray’s, Mrs. Gajkowski and her husband owned and operated Walter’s Tavern on South Park Avenue in the Old First Ward from 1980 to 1984, along with its men’s social club and women’s auxiliary.

Born Josephine Kubiak in Buffalo, Mrs. Gajkowski graduated from Villa Maria Academy in 1955.

She was a member of the East Clinton Businessmen’s Association.

Her husband died in 2008.

In addition to her daughters Cheryl and Anne Marie, survivors include two other daughters, Karen M. Fabrizi and Jacqueline R. Martin; a son, Randall W.; and a brother, Stanley Kubiak.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday in St. Gabriel Catholic Church, 5271 Clinton St., Elma, after prayers at 8:45 in Buszka Funeral Home, 2005 Clinton St.
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Samuel L. Mistretta, World War II veteran and business owner

June 3, 2013, 3:26 pm
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May 12, 1924 - June 1, 2013

Samuel L. Mistretta, of East Amherst, a Navy veteran of World War II and owner of Kinequip Inc., died Saturday in Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital, Amherst. He was 89.

Born in Buffalo, Mr. Mistretta was a graduate of Lafayette High School and the University of Buffalo, where he earned a degree in chemical engineering.

He was drafted into the military during World War II and served in the Navy. He initially was stationed in Hawaii, then later in the Philippines.

Mr. Mistretta was the owner of Kinequip Inc., which was founded in 1946. The company distributes industrial automation products, and repairs vacuum pumps and compressors.

He played golf, tennis and racquetball, and was a member of Brookfield Country Club and the Amherst YMCA. He also was a member of the Williamsville Lions Club.

His wife, Gloria Ciminelli Mistretta, died in February 2012. Survivors include two daughters, Lisa Robinson and Lori, a son, John; and a brother, Andrew L.

A memorial Mass 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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Roy J. Schafer, civil engineer, construction executive

June 3, 2013, 5:22 pm
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Oct. 24, 1927 – May 31, 2013

YOUNGS-TOWN – Roy J. Shafer, a civil engineer and construction company executive, died Friday in his Youngstown home under Niagara Hospice care. He was 85.

Born in Niagara Falls, he was a graduate of Niagara Falls High School and served in the Army Air Forces in 1946 and 1947.

Returning from service, he attended Niagara University, then earned his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Syracuse University in 1953.

Mr. Shafer was associated with Herbert F. Darling Inc. for 37 years, retiring as vice president of construction and safety.

In retirement, he founded his own consulting business, RJS Consultants, and was a sales representative for Canadian Metal Rolling Mills.

A Youngstown resident for more than 30 years, he was a member of Lutheran Church of the Messiah in Lewiston and Zion Lutheran Church.

He also was a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers, the American Society of Military Engineers and the Deep Foundation Institute. He was past chairman of the Pile Driver Committee of the Construction Industry Employers Association of Western New York and the chapter’s Safety Committee.

Survivors include his wife of 57 years, the former Patricia A. Swift; two sons, Scott S. and Steven S.; and a daughter, Starrin R.

A memorial service will be arranged this summer.
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Area Deaths

June 4, 2013, 5:39 pm
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Lawrence M. Appleby, of Warsaw, Army veteran and retired teacher, died May 31.

Elmer N. Axford, of Tonawanda, died June 1.

Sidney Barshter, 89, of Williamsville, Army infantryman in World War II, died May 31.

Barbara J. Beach, died June 2.

Richard L. Cavagnaro, of Ransomville, died June 1.

Concetto Cimato, of Lancaster, died June 2.

Thomas C. Colley, of Wheatfield, formerly of Kenmore, a 54-year veteran of the Kenmore Volunteer Fire Department, died May 30.

Jerry Dabek, of West Seneca, died June 3.

Dorothy M. (Klumpp) Enders, formerly of Hamburg, died May 30 in Moneta, Va.

Blanche E. (Fix) Fogerty, died May 22.

Ralph E. Foster, of Lockport, died June 1.

Jacqueline Mary Grady, of East Aurora, died June 1.

Carmen M. (Diaz) Harper, 100, died June 2.

Mabel N. “Pat” (Young) Huber, of Colden, died June 2.

Pearl D. (Rys) Imbirowicz, died June 2.

Charles R. Kellner, 88, of Amherst, Merchant Marine veteran of World War II, died June 2.

Ruth E. Kerner, 97, died June 2.

E. Collette (McGrath) Kingston, 82, died March 25.

Vera M. LaDuca, 95, of Tonawanda, died May 31.

Betty Leslie, of Attica, died June 2.

Kenneth H. Liebel, 85, died June 2.

Thomas P. Maroney Sr., died June 3.

Sheila Fay (Hayes) Plummer, of Amherst, died May 31.

Mary Ann (Urbanczyk) Pulinski, of Derby, died June 3.

Timothy P. Quinn, died June 2.

Ryan J. Reid, of Williamsville, died June. 1.

Arline Ross, died June 2.

Rob J. Rupert, 28, died June 1.



Darlene (Menzies) Schifla, of Lancaster, died June 2.

Clifford N. Schirching, of Depew, Navy veteran of World War II, died June 2.

Walter M. Seres, 61, of Lackawanna, died June 1.

Anna Marie Speck, died June 2.

Mary L. (Battaglia) Stanley, of Lancaster, a retired special-education teacher at St. Mary’s School for the Deaf, died June 1.

Frank S. Tarpata, of Lancaster, died May 31.

James M. Thompson, of Tonawanda, Army veteran, died May 31.

Pauline R. (Marotta) Todoro, 85, died June 1.

Andrew K. Varbanov, of Williamsville, died June 3.

Mark G. Waldhauser, 64, member of the Coast Guard during the Vietnam era, died June 2.

Bernard G. Wittman, of Orchard Park, died May 31.

James R. “Potsy” Wozniak, 59, former assistant chief of Bellevue Fire Company, died June 3.
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Dr. Irene Hu Chang, 95, retired Gowanda physician

June 4, 2013, 9:37 pm
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May 28, 1918 – May 30, 2013

Dr. Irene Hu Chang, of Holland, a retired physician, died Thursday in Orchard Heights, Orchard Park, after a short illness. She was 95.

Born Y.S. Irene Hu in Shanghai, China, she earned her medical degree at St. John’s University in Shanghai and did her residency in obstetrics and gynecology in Shanghai and Boston, Mass., with further training in Columbus, Ohio, and Genesee Hospital in Rochester.

The wife of Dr. K.H. Ronald Chang, chief thoracic surgeon at the former J.N. Adam Tuberculosis Hospital in Perrysburg, Dr. Hu Chang maintained a private practice in obstetrics, gynecology and general medicine in Gowanda from 1959 until her retirement in 1988.

Her donations helped establish and maintain Chang-Hu Park in Gowanda. She and her husband donated the land for the park on West Main Street in 1992.

Dr. Hu Chang and her husband received the Gowanda Chamber of Commerce “Spirit of Gowanda” Award. She also was named a Woman of the Year by the Gowanda Business and Professional Women.

She established a scholarship fund for Gowanda High School students aiming for medical careers through the Community Foundation of Greater Buffalo.

Her husband of 50 years died in 1997.

Survivors include a daughter, Dr. June I.

Services will be private.
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Robert J. Adams, retired professor of business

June 5, 2013, 2:07 pm
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Nov. 27, 1939 – May 29, 2013

Robert John Adams, Ph.D., a retired professor who taught at Edinboro University’s School of Business for 23 years and had been active in Buffalo for many years, died May 29 in Cambridge Springs, Pa., after a short illness. He was 73.

Born in Buffalo, he was a graduate of Bishop Timon High School and earned a bachelor’s degree in finance from Canisius College in 1969. In 1974, he earned a doctorate in finance and economics from Pennsylvania State University. He left Buffalo in August 1992.

A member of the Amherst School Board, Dr. Adams ran Playtime, USA in Buffalo and worked at Bethlehem Steel before pursuing a teaching career.

He also taught at Canisius College and in the New York State prison system, and presented financial testimony as an expert witness for grand juries in New York State.

Having all six of his children graduate from college was his proudest accomplishment, according to family members.

Dr. Adams coached youth ice hockey in Amherst for 20 years.

He was an avid golfer, model train enthusiast, Civil War buff and Broadway musical aficionado.

His wife of 27 years, Gail Steibel Adams, died in 1992.

A memorial service was held Sunday in Edinboro.
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Mary Lee Bachmann, longtime piano teacher

June 5, 2013, 2:33 pm
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Sept. 27, 1923 – May 30, 2013

Mary Lee Bachmann, a longtime area piano teacher, died May 30 in Beechwood Continuing Care Facility, Getzville, after a short illness. She was 89.

Born Mary Lee Hyndman in Keokuk, Iowa, she grew up on a farm in rural Illinois and attended class in a one-room schoolhouse. She learned to play the piano from her mother, Lucy, a church organist.

She graduated in 1944 with a bachelor’s degree in music from Carthage College in Wisconsin, where she also met the Rev. Dr. C. Charles Bachmann. They married in 1945, and she followed her husband to the Boston area, where she played the organ in his Woburn, Mass., parish. They later moved to Chicago, Memphis, Milwaukee and arrived in Buffalo in 1956.

Mrs. Bachmann taught second grade at the Park School from 1957 to 1958 and instructed hundreds of piano students in her Clarence home until her retirement from teaching in 2009.

She assisted her husband’s ministry as Protestant staff chaplain at Erie County Medical Center by playing the organ at many of his services. He died in May 2010.

She was a member of Sigma Alpha Iota, the international music fraternity for women; the Philanthropic Educational Organization; the Order of the Eastern Star; the Restoration Society; and the Erie County Medical Center Junior Board.

She is survived by a daughter, Rhonda Hammond; and a son, Dr. Charles M.

Services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday in Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 1080 Main St.
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Ruth A. Richardson, managed photography business

June 5, 2013, 2:45 pm
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Oct. 13, 1923 – June 2, 2013

Ruth A. Richardson, who managed a family photography business, died Sunday in the Salt Lake City home of one of her sons after a long illness. She was 89.

Born Ruth Davis in Buffalo, she attended School 31 and graduated from Fosdick-Masten Park High School.

For more than 40 years starting in the 1950s, Mrs. Richardson managed the family’s business, Richardson’s Photos, a leading African-American photography business in Buffalo.

Mrs. Richardson had been an active member of First Shiloh Baptist Church, where she worked in the food pantry.

After her marriage to Isaiah Richardson, she converted to the Catholic faith and became a member of St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church until it closed. Then the family united with Blessed Trinity Catholic Church before transitioning to St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church, where she was a member of the Ladies Guild and Eucharistic ministry. She also attended Bible study at Lincoln Memorial Church.

When Mrs. Richardson relocated to St. Lake City a year and a half ago, she joined St. Catherine Catholic Church.

While in Buffalo, she was the president of the LeTreize Social Club; president of the Northland Avenue Block Club; chairwoman of the Ingleside Home board of directors; treasurer of the William Emslie YMCA Senior Citizens; and a member of the American Red Cross Greater Buffalo Chapter board of directors.

Mrs. Richardson was a long-standing member and president of the Hamlin Park Garden Club. She also received the “Woman of the Year” award from St. Martin de Porres Church.

Her favorite hobby was sewing, and she designed and sewed many of her own clothes. For more than 10 years, she was a sewing instructor at the St. Peter Claver Youth Program.

Her husband of 40 years died in 1984.

Surviving are a daughter, Stephanie Roye; three sons, Lynn, Rodney and Maurice; and a sister, Kathryn Chavous.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 11 a.m. Saturday in St. Martin de Porres Church, 555 Northampton St.
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Area Deaths

June 5, 2013, 3:42 pm
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Lucy P. “Lucille” (Gatto) Alessi, died May 31.

Mary Lee Bachmann, of Buffalo, died May 30.

Cory T. Bea, 24, of Alden, died June 3.

Mary A. Benker, 82, retired from the General Motors Training Center in Clarence, died Feb. 6.

Stephen J. Boldis, died May 30.

Roy F. Bonati Sr., World War II veteran, died June 3.

Rose Ann (Meli) Bonfiglio, 73, died June 3.

Thelma N. (Delaney) Burke, crossing guard for more than 20 years at St. Josaphat’s, died June 4.

Donna Marie (DeMaioribus) Casciano, died June 3.

Jane B. (Demmon) DeVinney, died June 1.

Rita A. (Fernandez) Garvey, died June 3.

Kurt Werner Guenzer, of Buffalo, died May 30.

Henry A. Kogut, of Blasdell, died June 2.

Margaret Louise (Emes) Lewis, 92, of North Tonawanda, died June 3.

Antoinette “Toni” (Licata) Mancuso, died June 4.

Carolyn (Magnuson) Pillsbury, 91, of Jamestown, retired vice president of human resources at Columbus Hospital, died June 3.

Louis J. Quagliana, 67, died May 21.

Laurie S. (DeVelder) Radesi, 54, of Clarence, died June 3.

Mary J. Rowland, died June 1.

Linda (Romano) Scafuri, 58, of Fredonia, formerly of the Town of Tonawanda and Brooklyn, died June 3.

Gerard W. Schmidt, died May 30.

Howard K. Schreck, of Williamsville, World War II Army Air Forces veteran, member of the Bricklayer Union Local 3, died June 2.

Dorothy B. (Beyer) Selle, of Hamburg, died Feb. 14.

Walter A. Spalti, 82, of Springville, retired heavy equipment operator for Olive Erie & Son, died May 26.

Charles G. Taylor, 88, of Batavia, died June 4.

George H. Tomaski, of West Seneca, died June 3.

Rose C. (Morreale) Vento, died June 2.

Charles J. Weslow Jr., 77, formerly of Buffalo, died May 15.

Florence E. (Wozniak) Wieszczecinski, died May 31.

John W. Wolfe Jr., former detective with the Town of Tonawanda Police Department, died June 4.
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John D. Smith Sr., 90, art director for Fisher-Price

June 5, 2013, 5:55 pm
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July 28, 1922 – June 1, 2013

John Daniel Smith Sr., of East Aurora, art director for Fisher-Price for more than two decades, died Saturday in Buffalo General Medical Center. He was 90.

Born in Savannah, Ga., he developed his interest in art as a boy. He served in the Army during World War II as a cartographer with the 88th Infantry Division in North Africa and Italy. He attained the rank of staff sergeant and was awarded the Bronze Star.

Returning from service, he studied art at the Pratt Institute in New York City, graduating in 1949, and lived and worked in New York for the next 10 years, doing illustrations, advertising, packaging design and film strip art for children.

In 1959, Mr. Smith began doing freelance and consulting work for Fisher-Price, then moved to East Aurora. As art director, he oversaw a period of rapid expansion and creativity at the company.

After he retired, he continued to serve as an art consultant for Fisher-Price in the 1980s and established his own firm, Graphic Color Associates Ltd., with his wife.

He gave frequent lectures and demonstrations of painting techniques for colleges, community groups and art clubs. His watercolors of landscapes are exhibited in Western New York, Charleston, S.C., and Savannah. He also enjoyed drawing cartoons and creating personalized cards for family and friends.

Mr. Smith was a member of the Niagara Frontier Watercolor Society, the East Aurora Art Society, the Fine Arts League of Buffalo, the Art Directors-Communicators of Western New York, the Color Marketing Group and the American Legion.

Survivors include his wife of 58 years, the former Annette Conlin; two sons, Daniel and Eric; two daughters, Andrea Wyanski and Heidi Poore; and a sister, Martha E.

A celebration of his life will be held at 5 p.m. June 15 in the Salon Room of the Roycroft Inn, 40 S. Grove St., East Aurora.
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Joseph Francescone, 90, retired Buffalo firefighter

June 5, 2013, 6:23 pm
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June 4, 1918 – June 5, 2013

Joseph R. “Drake” Francescone, of the Town of Tonawanda, a retired Buffalo firefighter, died Wednesday in Kenmore Mercy Hospital, Town of Tonawanda, a day after his 95th birthday.

Born in Buffalo, he served in the Army Air Forces with the 5th Air Force in the Pacific during World War II, attaining the rank of staff sergeant.

Returning from service, he joined the Buffalo Fire Department, where he had a 32-year career. He retired in 1977.

Mr. Francescone was a member of Troop I Post 665, American Legion, and the 40 and Eight. He also was a member of North Tonawanda Lodge 860, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; Our Lady of Hope Council 3076, Knights of Columbus, the Order of Alhambra; the Holy Name Society at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church; and the Northside First Friday Club.

His wife, Dolorita Gallagher Francescone, died in 1976. His son, Drake M., a legendary City Honors High School coach, died in 2011.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 9:30 a.m. Saturday in St. John the Baptist Church, 1085 Englewood Ave., Town of Tonawanda.
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