Obituary: Robert W. Pickel Sr.

Robert W. Pickel Sr., age 84, of Grand Island, died peacefully on Jan. 7, 2021.

Robert retired as senior vice president of finance for the Buffalo Sabres. He was a U.S. Marine Corp. veteran and served as president of the board of directors for Summer Bay Resorts in Orlando, Florida. Robert was also a respected youth coach and mentor.

The beloved husband of Lorraine (Balsdon) Pickel for more than 64 years, he is the father of Robert W. (Kathleen) Pickel Jr., Michael G. (Ann) Pickel, Jeffrey D. (Debbie) Pickel, Lori N. Collignon and the late Karen L. Coomber. He is grandfather of Jacob, Rachel, Alexander, Jeffrey Jr. and Shannon Pickel, and Courtney, McKenna and Cameron Collignon, Ashley L. McQuiggan, Ranier Khan and the late B.C. Coomber. He was also the great-grandfather of five great-grandchildren and the brother of Cheryl Angell.

Friends visited Monday at the Fretthold & Hamp Funeral Home in Tonawanda. Funeral services took place Tuesday morning at the funeral home. Interment is in Elmlawn Cemetery.

Flowers are gratefully declined. If so desired, memorials may be made to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, or the Nickel City Canine Rescue, 5635 Harris Hill Road, Williamsville, NY 14221. Condolences may be shared at www.FrettholdandHamp.com.