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Obituaries

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January - March 2008

January 4, 2008 - Grand Island Dispatch

Alphia F. (Colicchia) Prosser

Alphia F. (Colicchia) Prosser, 84, of Grand Island, died Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2007, in Kenmore Mercy Hospital Hospice after a brief illness. She was predeceased by her husband of 55 years, Fredrick Prosser.

A Buffalo-area native who graduated from Riverside High School, she built radios and airplane engines during World War II. She was vice president of the family owned business, Black Rock Electric. She also worked as an elections inspector during various elections.

Prosser enjoyed spending time with family and friends as well as gardening, painting, fishing and traveling. She was a member of the Grand Island Historical Society and the Grand Island Art Society. She also was a past vice president of the Grand Island Neighbor’s Foundation.

Alphia is survived by her son, Frederick H. (Heidi) Prosser of Boulder City, Nev.; her daughters, Alphia L. Criss of Grand Island and Wendy A. (Paul) Peters of Niagara Falls; her five grandchildren – Alphia C. (Michael) Gangemi, Anna M. (Kalan) Keir, Daniel P. Peters, Shawn M. Peters and Nicholas P. (Amanda) Peters; and three great-grandchildren. She is also survived by nieces and nephews and many, many friends.

Alphia will be fondly remembered by all who knew her as a caring, generous person.

She requested that her body be donated to the University at Buffalo School of Medicine. Per her wishes, there will be no services. Flowers are gratefully declined. Donations may be made in her honor to Hospice.

Paul R. O’Connor

Paul R. O’Connor, a Grand Island resident, passed away on Monday, Dec. 31, 2007. He had worked with General Motors for 37 years and was a veteran, having served with the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War.

He was married to Glenda (Harrell) O’Connor and was the father of Michele (Fred) Turner, Traci (Matthew) Goc and Stephanie (Sean) Patterson. He was a loving grandfather to his grandchildren: Madeleine and Olivia Goc, Erin and Morgan Turner, Riley, Cecilia and Georgia Patterson.

Paul was the son of Margaret and the late Robert O’Connor. He was one of five children, including Patricia (Ansley) Stevens, Colleen (Joseph) Santanella, Kevin (Sue), Brian (Tammy) and the late Robert O’Connor. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Visitation was held Thursday at the Kaiser Funeral Home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday, Jan. 4, at 10 a.m. at St. Stephen R.C. Church, 2100 Baseline Road.

Memorials may be made to Roswell Park Cancer Institute.

January 11, 2008 - Grand Island Dispatch

Eileen M. (Lennon) Sweeney

Eileen M. (Lennon) Sweeney, a Grand Island resident, entered into rest on Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2008. She was formerly of Hartsdale.

Eileen was the mother of Mary Louise Narvaez, John (Leila) Sweeney, Eileen Melgar and Melissa (Gary) Katz. She is survived by 13 grandchildren, including Shawn, David, Jessica, Ashley, Thomas, James and Allissa; her sister, Maureen Henry; nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.

Friends may call Friday, Jan. 11, from 2 to 4 and from 7 to 9 p.m., at the Kaiser Funeral Home, 1950 Whitehaven Road. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Sunday, Jan. 13, at 10 a.m., inside St. Stephen R.C. Church, 2100 Baseline Road. Interment will be in St. Stephen’s Cemetery.

January 18, 2008 - Grand Island Dispatch

Mathilde Siona Haussmann Nachbaur

Former Grand Island resident Mathilde Siona Haussmann Nachbaur, affectionately known as Hilde to her friends and as Oma to her family, died Saturday, Dec. 29, 2007, in Wilmington, Del.

Born in Ravensburg, Germany, on May 22, 1905, the second oldest of eight children, Nachbaur came to this country in 1928. She and her late husband, George, bought property on Grand Island in 1935. This helped fulfill a childhood dream. After seeing a picture in her fifth grade geography book of the beautiful Niagara Falls, Hilde dreamed of someday visiting those falls, and now she would be living only a few miles from them.

In 1969, she moved to Wilmington with her daughter, Trudy Wendt, and family.

While an Island resident, Nachbaur was an active member of Trinity Church. She was an avid gardener, cook, seamstress and knitter. Even though, accomplished in these areas, Nachbaur had a thirst for learning, availing herself of many adult education classes such as tailoring, Chinese cooking, and flower arranging. She was a fervent reader and enjoyed relaxing to good music.

   



Mathilde Siona Haussmann Nachbaur

As a Wilmington resident, she became an enthusiastic quilter. She not only made beautiful quilts for her family, but also weekly quilted with the Arden Quilters for the benefit of their service projects.

For the past 12 years, she has made her home at the Methodist Country House in Wilmington. While a resident there, she continued to make quilts and other lovely hand crafted gifts to benefit the home’s benevolence fund. Even as she began to lose her eyesight to macular degeneration, she continued to knit scarves and hats for the homeless.

Nachbaur also enjoyed traveling – especially to visit family and friends both in this country and abroad.

Hilde is survived by her daughters, Trudy (Bob) Wendt of Brandywine, Pa., and Elly (Tom) Zarbo of Grand Island; her seven grandchildren, including Mark (Debbie) Zarbo of Grand Island; her 12 great grandchildren; her three sisters in Germany; and her many nieces and nephews. Besides her husband George, her great grandson, Zachary Zarbo, predeceased her.

Hilde will be remembered as a special lady with a ready smile and a caring, helpful manner.

Memorial services were held in Wilmington on Monday, Jan. 7.

January 25, 2008 - Grand Island Dispatch

Jerome ‘Jerry’ J. Funk

Jerome “Jerry” J. Funk, 93, the man who donated 100 acres to Grand Island, passed away on Thursday, Jan. 10, 2008. The Bedell Road parcel was used for the Grand Island Public Library and Grand Island Veterans Park. The land represents a living memorial to the Funk family.

Born in Buffalo on March 22, 1914, he was Jerry was the son of George and Eleanor Metz Funk. He owned and operated Funk Ice Co., Funk Coal Co., Funk Heating and Cooling and Funk Lawn Spray. He lived on West River Road for 35 years before retiring to Florida 27 years ago.

Jerry is survived by his wife of 62 years, Amelia; their three sons: Terry of Grand Island, Tom (Liz) of Denver and Bob (Val) of Grand Island; their three daughters: Donna Schleuss of Freehold, N.J., Cindy Massa of Port Orange, Fla., and Debbie (Steve) Yoakum of Orlando, Fla.; their 16 grandchildren: David Funk, Diana Birger, Scott Schleuss, Randy Schleuss, Pam Cole, Jesse Funk, Kevin Funk, Kristen Funk, Joshua Massa, Montana Massa, Koby Massa, Jordan Funk, Bryan Funk, Adam Funk, Rebecca Yoakum and Benjamin Yoakum; 11 great-grandchildren; eight great-great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his son, David Funk, and by his grandson, Howard Funk.

Funeral services were held at Deltona Memorial Funeral Home, 1295 Saxon Blvd., Orange City, Fla. Burial was in Deltona Memorial Gardens.

February 1, 2008 - Grand Island Dispatch

Zygmunt A. Bieniulis

Zygmunt A. Bieniulis, a 15-year Grand Island resident, passed away on Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2008. He was born in Warsaw, Poland, and served the Allied Forces with the Polish Military in World War II.

Bieniulis was employed for more than 25 years as an electrical engineer at Bethlehem Steel. He was very active at St. Stephen R.C. Church – where he assisted as a lecture – and with the Boy Scouts. A naturalist and outdoor enthusiast, he also did extensive research in anthropology and archeology for the Buffalo Museum of Science.

Zygmunt was husband to the late Anne Bieniulis; and the father of Maria (Carmen) Laurendi of Grand Island, Mark (Sue) and Conrad Bieniulis, both of Golden, Colo.; the brother of the late Barbara Strynkiewicz and brother-in-law of Maryna Kryzan. He is survived by 10 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren

A private funeral Mass was celebrated Saturday, Jan. 26, at St. Stephen Church.

Arrangements by Kaiser Funeral Home.

Nancy L. (Berger) Saxbury

Nancy L. (Berger) Saxbury, a Grand Island resident, passed away on Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2008. She was the wife of Mickey J. Saxbury; the mother of Jessica and Louie McIntyre, Nicole and Steven Saxbury; the grandmother of Anthony Reitler; the sister of Eric (Sue) and Dale (Lynn) Berger; the aunt of Tori, Kyle, John and April; and the daughter of the late William and Doris Berger.

Visitation will be held Saturday, Feb. 2, from 2 to 4 and from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Kaiser Funeral Home, 1950 Whitehaven Road. A brief prayer service will take place there at 8:45 p.m. on Saturday.

Memorials may be made to the SPCA.

June Byron

June Byron, born June 1, 1921, and a long-time resident of Grand Island, entered into eternal life on Monday, January 7, 2008. June was the beloved wife of Richard “Dick” Byron, her husband of 60 years; mother of Richard (Gail) Byron and the late Patrick Byron; sister of Julia Pedlow; cherished grandmother of John, Terry and Lynette Byron, Michele Gast and Kelly (James) Petrie; great-grandmother of Brianna and Camden Byron; and dearest friend of Donna and Skip Oursler and John and Zdenka Gast. She is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews.

June dedicated her life to helping those in need, and will be remembered for her selflessness, unyielding faith, generosity, charitable outreach and for always cheering up her friends and family with special cards.

Friends are invited to celebrate her life at a memorial Mass on Saturday, Feb. 2, at 10 a.m. at St. Stephen R.C. Church, 2100 Baseline Road, followed by a luncheon at the Grand Island Fire Hall, 2275 Baseline Road.

Memorials may be made in June’s memory to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

Dorothy M. (Hiam) Howard, Dispatch founder

Dorothy M. (Hiam) Howard who, along with her husband Oliver C.B., founded the Grand Island Dispatch, passed away on Thursday, Jan. 24, 2008.

A Grand Island resident, Dorothy was the wife of the late Oliver C.B. Howard; the mother of Patricia (Donald) Bachert; the grandmother of Sharon Bachert, David Bachert and the late Linda Bachert; the great-grandmother of Jamie (Kenny) Duncan and Tanya Bachert; and the sister of Richard (Phyllis) Hiam.

Memorial services will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 5, at 5 p.m. in the Kaiser Funeral Home, 1950 Whitehaven Road.

February 14, 2008 - Grand Island Dispatch

Helen Staley

Helen Staley, a Grand Island resident, passed away on Monday, Feb. 11, 2008. She was the daughter of the late Martha and John Staley. Helen was the beloved mother of Greg (Joyce) Yensan and the late Terry Lee (survived by wife Susan) Yensan Sr.; the sister of Sally Anne (Robert) Dworak and the late Marion Rarick, Mildred Ehrhardt, Leona Brackett, Eileen Schapel, Virginia Hall, Robert and John Staley; the loving grandmother of Terry Lee (Penny) Yensan, Tracy (Scott) Pufpaff, John (Kathy), Jason (Lisa), Jennifer and Kristina Yensan; and the great-grandmother of Amanda Albertsson and Sean and Steven Pufpaff and Elizabeth, Caitlyn and Taylor Yensan.

Memorial services will be held on Saturday, Feb. 16, at 10 a.m. at Trinity United Methodist Church, 2100 Whitehaven Road. Interment will be in Trinity Cemetery.

Arrangements by Kaiser Funeral Home.

Elizabeth (Haese) Werth

Elizabeth (Haese) Werth, a Grand Island resident, passed away on Saturday, Feb. 9, 2008. She was a founding member of St. Timothy Lutheran Church and a teacher for 25 years at Grand Island Middle School.

Werth volunteered at Mount St. Mary’s Hospital and Health Center and with Artpark and Company.

Elizabeth was the wife of the late John W. Werth. She was the mother of Lawrence (Judith) Werth, Margaret Tichy and the late George Werth; the grandmother of Teresa Stimpson, Lawrence Werth Jr., Scott Werth, Aurora Onorato, Kirk Daley and Kenneth, Gregory and Jennifer Netto; and the grandmother of 12.

She was the daughter of the late Elizabeth and William O. Haese Sr.; sister of the late William O. Haese Jr.; the sister-in-law of Donald (Lorraine) Werth; and the aunt of Joselyn Szfranski and Rebecca and William Keopke.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, Feb. 17, from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Kaiser Funeral Home, 1950 Whitehaven Road. Memorials may be made to St. Timothy Lutheran Church, 1453 Staley Road, where funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Monday.

Interment will be in Tonawanda’s Elmlawn Cemetery.

February 22, 2008 - Grand Island Dispatch

Thomas L. Woods

Thomas L. Woods, 76, of Woodbourne, formerly of Grand Island and Niagara Falls, passed away at home on Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2008.

He was born in Ithaca on Sept. 16, 1931.Woods was a chemical engineering honors graduate of Clarkson University; president of Industrial Welding Corp., and GIFCO; and proudly served as president of the Niagara Club.

His family says, “Tom, you will be missed for your humor and shenanigans. Buddy barks his ‘goodbye.’ ”

Thomas was the son of the late Edward and Catherine Higgins Woods. He was the beloved husband of the late Theresa Casey Woods; the loving father to sons Christian, Keith, Kevin, Terrance and Daniel; a dear brother to Mary K. and the late Edward and Donald; the brother-in-law of Sandy; the fond brother-in-law to Ann; and the uncle to Barbara, Tina and Margaret Kitt.

Visitation was held yesterday at Colonial Memorial Funeral Home in Woodbourne. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, Feb. 22, at 10 a.m., at the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Route 42 in Woodbourne.

A burial of ashes will be held privately at the Calvary Cemetery in Ithaca. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Tom’s name to the American Cancer Society, 159 Green St., Kingston, NY 12401, or to a charity of choice.

Colonial Memorial Funeral Home handled arrangements.

Leon D. Carr

Leon D. Carr, 29, a chef at the Village Inn restaurant on Grand Island, passed away Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2008, after a snowboarding accident in Ellicottville. He was much beloved by family, his many friends and the staff at the restaurant on Ferry Road, where he worked with his uncle, Michael Carr, the owner.

Leon was born on July 28, 1978, in Arlington, Texas, at home. He is the son of Gary J. Carr (and Mary W.) of South Wales and Susan VanRooy of British Columbia, Canada.

He was known by customers and staff not only for his creative and delicious soups and his beautiful preparation and presentation of entrees, but also for his gentle and upbeat disposition.

“He never held a grudge,” said co-worker Sherri Robinson-Cooney. “He was very easy going. He was the best. ... He’s really going to be missed.”

Carr had worked full time at the restaurant for about five years. Before that, he had done landscaping and had worked as a union tile setter.

He graduated from Grand Island High School and earned an associate’s degree with honors at Erie Community College.

Starting Monday morning, when word of the accident reached family and friends, the ICU waiting room was crowded with more than 50 people at a time, waiting to hear word on his condition and keeping vigil with his family. Carr’s friends — many in their 20s and many who had worked with him at the restaurant — shared stories and said prayers.

His father, Gary Carr of South Wales, said many people came up to the family and said they were his oldest and best friends, a testament to his ability to touch people’s lives in a powerful way.

Leon’s friend Chaz Bulera, also of Grand Island, agreed that Carr’s character drew people to him.

“I just think that the things we’ll remember the most about Leon is about how much he cared for people and what he taught us about really being ourselves … really understanding what people have to offer. He just innately understood something like that,”

“He was very lovable big, huge teddy bear, Bulera said. “He would do anything for you.” He said Carr had a remarkable positive quality. “It changed cynicism in people ... it made people who were happy even happier.”

Leon loved spending time, year round, at his grandparents’ cabin in the Southern Tier. He loved the outdoors and was a fine woodsman. He was an expert skier and snowboarder, often organizing groups of friends to go to Holiday Valley. He also could often be seen biking or jogging on the Island.

He loved the Sabres and the Bills, and recently enjoyed the Ice Bowl with his girlfriend, Sarah Gurbacki, also a Grand Island High School graduate. While there, she said he made a friend of a Penguins fan who was ready to fight for his team – literally. “Within seconds, he talked to him and they were hugging each other,” Gurbacki said.

Carr had recently moved in to help his grandparents, Bob and Joanne Carr of Grand Island, with their health problems. Growing up close to them, he had learned a lot of cooking tips from his grandmother, an excellent cook who was the original baker for the Village Inn, and a knowledge of the woods and of hunting from his “Grandpa Bob.” He also enjoyed his grandfather’s pancakes and would stop almost every morning to share breakfast with the two of them.

His family said that in keeping with his generous spirit, his organs have been donated.

Besides his parents, his stepmother, Mary W. Carr, his paternal grandparents, and his dear friend, Sarah, he is survived by his brother, Erin F. (Amanda) Carr of the U.S. Marine Corps in California; a sister, Emily R. Carr of South Wales; his maternal grandparents, John and Ann VanRooy; his niece, Cheyenne, and nephew, Brett Carr, both of California; and many aunts, uncles and cousins.

Burial will be at 2 p.m. Friday at Steamburg Cemetery, where graveside services will include prayers said in the Baha’i faith. For information and directions to Steamburg, visit the Web site myspace.com/inmemoryofleoncarr or inmemoryofleoncarr@gmail.com, or call 909-1728.

A Talking Circle and a Celebration of Life will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at Trinity United Methodist Church, 2100 Whitehaven Road. Family and friends are welcome to attend.

February 23, 2008 - Lewiston Porter Sentinel

Elizabeth Anne McGuire

Elizabeth (Betty) Anne McGuire (Doyle) died Saturday, Feb. 16, 2008, after a brief illness.

Born Dec. 24, 1919, in New York City, she was adopted from the New York Foundling Home by Helen and John Doyle and raised on Wardman Road in Kenmore. She attended Kenmore schools, graduating from Kenmore High School in 1938. Known to her friends then as “Bets,” she was said to have a “smile guaranteed not to fade, run or shrink.”

McGuire completed dental assistant training after which she worked for Dr. Warren Buell, DDS, in Buffalo. Married to Walter H. in San Diego on April 25, 1942, she supported her husband’s career in the automotive business and concentrated on raising their three sons for many years. McGuire began her own career with the Klienhans Company, working as a sales associate at the Boulevard Mall Store from its inception in 1962 until her retirement.

She was an active community volunteer, assisting hospitals in Buffalo and Erie, Pa., as well as supporting fundraising efforts of parent associations at Sweet Home Central schools and St. Joseph’s Collegiate Institute. McGuire was a longtime resident of Parkview Estates in Tonawanda, and active in the community association there. Most recently, she resided at Canterbury Gardens in North Tonawanda, where she developed and led residents in balance and mobility exercises on a regular basis and had recently decided to enroll in a computer class.

A very social person, McGuire loved traveling. She and her close friend, Clarence Hallen, would often sightsee around Western New York and had traveled as far away as California.

Surviving are her sons Gary (Bernadette) of Yorba Linda, Calif., James (Phyllis) of Longboat Key, Fla., and Brian (Heather) of North Tonawanda. Betty was the loving grandmother to seven grandchildren: Christopher Michael McGuire (Kristine), Timothy Andrew McGuire, Elizabeth Lee Millen (Andrew), Kate McGuire Kaye (Steven), Matthew James McGuire, Madeline Rose McGuire and Amy Walter Spaulding (John); and great-grandmother to six: Casey, Brittany and Ryan McGuire and Cecilia Millen, Lilly and Matthew Spaulding.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 10, at 10 a.m. at St. Amelia’s Church in Tonawanda.

March 7, 2008 - Grand Island Dispatch

Diane Pelosi

Diane Pelosi, a Grand Island resident, entered into rest on Wednesday, March 5, 2008. She was an avid tennis and bridge player.

Diane was the wife of the late Nicholas Pelosi. She is survived by her children: Linda (Edward) McGowan and David (Susan) Pelosi, both of Grand Island. Additional survivors include her grandchildren, Stephanie and Lauren McGowan and Alyssa Pelosi.

Visitation will be held Friday, March 7, from 2 to 4 and from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Kaiser Funeral Home, 1950 Whitehaven Road. Funeral services will be held there at 10 a.m. on Saturday.

Flowers are gratefully declined. Memorials may be made to Hospice Buffalo.

Patricia Zoltoski

Patricia Zoltoski, 77, formerly of Tiffany Court, Edwardsville, Pa., died Tuesday, March 4, 2008, at the Guardian Elder Care Center, Nanticoke, Pa.

She was born in Buffalo on Nov. 26, 1930, a daughter of the late Theodore C. and Alice Clancy Spang. Zoltoski was a graduate of Bennett High School in Buffalo and a graduate of Niagara University, where she received her degree in business administration.

Zoltoski was formerly employed by Niagara University and the Sallie Mae Corp., prior to her retirement.

She was an active member of the Island Theater Group on Grand Island. Zoltoski shared here love of the theater with her children.

Patricia was preceded in death by her husband, Phillip M. Zoltoski, in 1972. She was also preceded in death by a son, Paul Michael Zoltoski, and by a sister, Marjorie Hoerner. Surviving are daughters Margaret Alice Espada and her husband, Alfonso, of Wilkes-Barre, Pa., and Mary Catherine Alaimo and her husband, Joseph, also of Wilkes-Barre; her son, Christopher James Zoltoski, and his wife, Amy, of Las Vegas; five grandchildren: Carlita Espada, Jessica and Alicia Alaimo, and Paul and Benjamin Zoltoski; a brother, Theodore Spang, of Cleveland; and by nieces and nephews.

Family and friends are asked to attend a memorial service on Friday, March 21, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Little Theatre of Wilkes-Barre, 537 N. Main Street, Wilkes-Barre, Pa, 18705, to celebrate Patricia’s life. Interment will be in St. Stephen’s Cemetery on Grand Island.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Little Theatre of Wilkes-Barre, PO Box 1, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18703.

Arrangements by the Nat & Gawlas Funeral Home, 89 Park Ave., Wilkes-Barre.

March 28, 2008 - Grand Island Dispatch

Ellen E. Dunn

Ellen E. Dunn, 96, formerly of Buffalo, passed away peacefully on Easter Sunday, March 23, 2008. Funeral services were held Wednesday at the Kaiser Funeral Home. Interment is in White Chapel Memorial Park in Amherst.

Ellen was the beloved mother of Carol (Robert) Bennett and Gerald (June) Dunn; the cherished grandmother of Judi (Pat) McMahon, Cindi (Kurt) Raepple, Sandra (Daniel) Bukaty, Jerry Dunn Jr., James (Julie) Dunn, Jill Dunn, Jason Dunn and the late Robert (Shari) Bennett Jr.; her 14 great-grandchildren; her siblings, Earl (Jean) Rowell, Wallace (Mary) Rowell and Joseph Rowell. She was predeceased by her three sisters and one brother.

Grace D. (Hoffman) Sutter

Grace D. (Hoffman) Sutter, a Grand Island resident, passed away on Wednesday, March 26, 2008. She was the daughter of the late Chester and Frances Hoffman.

The wife of Milton W. Sutter, Grace is survived by her children: Kathleen (Terry) Corwine, Sally (Ludwig) Dischner, Daniel (Karen) Sutter and Carol (Brad) Wright; her nine grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; her sister, Elaine (Earl) White; many friends and loved ones.

Visitation will be held at the Kaiser Funeral Home, 1950 Whitehaven Road, on Friday (today), March 28, from 2 to 8 p.m. and from 1 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, March 29. Funeral services will commence at 4 p.m. Saturday at the Kaiser Funeral Home.

Flowers are gratefully declined. Memorials may be made to the Grand Island Public Library, where Sutter was a volunteer.