Greater Lockport & Nearby Niagara
Recent Deaths

Barbara Lindke (Sobczak), 64, 4/20 at DeGraff Hospital, North Tonawanda.  Mother of five retired from Delphi.

Barbara Lindke (Sobczak)- passed away on 4/20/02 after a brief illness. Retired from Delphi, member of UAW Local #686. Mother of 5 children, grandmother of several, survived by many nieces and nephews, her brother and  her sister, as well as her Mother. She beautified this world with her presence, just as her favorite flower does - the yellow rose. Memorials to the charity of one's choice.

Clifford R. Schnackel, 84, 4/17 of Middleport.  WW-2 vet was former owner of Middleport Lumber. Father of two.

Duane W. Bixler, 66, 4/16 of Newfane at LMH.   Retired from HRD after 33 years.  Father of two.

Monsignor Henry J. Gugino, 59, 4/9.  Head of Buffalo Diocese Catholic Charities.  Priest for 33 years.

Alfred Elia, 79, 3/31 at Mt. St. Mary's.  Partner in giant Elia Construction.  Bother of NF Mayor.  Father of two.

Lawrence E. Lang Jr., 57, 3/31 at Mt. St. Mary's.   Niagara Falls Union boss (Steel Workers).  Father of two.

Bidleman, Pearl E. (Durow), 80, 3/26 in Orange Park, FL. Mother of two moved to Florida in 1963. 

Mrs. Bidleman  was born in Niagara Falls, NY, March 24, 1922.  She was married to the late Earle Bidleman, Jr. of Newfane and lived in Newfane for 20 years, where she operated a beauty shop, before moving to Florida in 1963. She is survived by one daughter, Christine Phillips (Ronald) of Florence, SC; one son, Stephen Bidleman of Winter Haven, FL; 5 grandchildren, 3 great-grandsons; one niece and two nephews. A memorial service was held in Florida March 28.

James D. Carrigan Jr., 84, 3/25 in Hamburg.  Worked at Carrigan's Dairy in Niagara Falls.  Father of one.

Mr. Carrigan resided most recently in Hamburg.  In addition to work at Carrigan's family farm and dairy, he was a truck driver for Texaco.  Father of Stephen (Devona) Carrigan, grandfather to Deborah (Mark) Cleary and Christine (Bruce) Ludemann; great-grandfather to Stephen and Johanna Cleary. He leaves behind sisters, Melva (Edward) Bull, Jean (late Joseph) Richards and the late Marjorie (Albert) Harvey; also survived by nieces and nephews.  Mr. Carrigan was an avid bowler.

LaVerne P. Brayley, 79, 3/3 in Nokomis, FL.  Father of two was born in Hartland.  Married Lockport girl.

LaVerne P. Brayley, born January 31, 1923 in the Niagara County Town of Hartland, passed away March 3, 2002 in Nokomis, FL.  Mr. Brayley was retired and had left the Niagara County area many years ago, enjoying over a quarter of century of Florida living.  His wife, Ruth Brayley, from Lockport survives as does daughter Cindy Marcone and son Harry Brayley (Sarasota, FL).  Also survived by sisters Alice Remus (FL), Carol Curry (Middleport, NY), Linda Boyatzies (VA) and brother Roger Brayley (TX).  Several grandchildren and great-grandchildren also survive him.

A memorial service will be held March 9, 2002 at 4PM at the Congregational Church of Laurel (FL).  In lieu of flowers donations may be sent to:  The American Diabetic Assn., 5011 Hillsborough Ave. W., Tampa, FL or the American Heart Association, 2975 Bee Ridge, Suite B, Sarasota, FL ---in memory of LaVerne P. Barayley.

James A. Hull, 61, 2/11 at home in Porter.  Father of two (Jim & Jennifer) was retired Chief Investigator for NCSD.

Louis L. Berger, Jr., 82, 2/6 in his Buffalo home. Chairman of L. L. Berger Department Store when closed in 1991.

Edward J. Wojtkowski, Sr., 83, 2/2 at VA Hospital. Father of three was founder of Gasport Welding.

Armand J. Castellani, 84, late of Amherst, 1/31.   Founder of TOPS Supermarkets.  Father of twelve.

Judith Ann Barnard, 57, of Gasport, 1/17 at ECMC.   Retired HRD, editor of UAW Quill newsletter.  Mother of one.

Angelo Adams, 46, 1/14 at his home in Shelby after being shot five times.  Utility worker. Father of four.

Mildred G. Hill (Goodnick) , 85, 1/13 at Medina Hospital. Retired from Harrison Radiator Division of GM at Lkpt.

Russell F. Bedford, 62, of Wilson, 1/11 at ICMH.   Retired from Delphi-Harrison after 32 years.  Father of two.

Mirva M. Porter (Baldwin), 83, 1/10 in Gasport nursing home.  Mother of three, born in Lockport.

Robert P. Ostrom, 89, of Middleport, 1/9, at Medina Hospital.  Retired HRD, WW-2 vet survived Bataan Death March.

Dorothy M. Tait (Baker), 85, 1/7 at ICMH.  LHS '36. Retired from Lockport Felt after 35 years.

William Edward Bundrock, 66, of Gasport, 1/6 at LMH. Retired from Simonds Saw & Steel, Howell Motors.

Ruth M. Whitmire, of Lockport, formerly of Barker, 1/3 at LMH.  Mother of one.

Walter M. Kamm, 77, 1/3/02.  Father of three, Local 210 Labors' Union member, former Wendeville Fire Chief.

Year 2001

Donald Keller, 71, of Newfane, 12/10/01.  Father of six of leader of Don Keller Big Band.  Born in Lockport.

Eugene James Burns, 79, 12/6 at home in Gasport.  46 years at HRD as electrician.  WW-2 vet.

Frank P. DiCamillo, 91, 11/30 at home in Niagara Falls.   Headed family food and bakery empire.  Father of four.

Denise A. Davis, 42, of Hartland, 11/24 in auto accident near home.

Ms. Davis, of 2860 Carmen Road, Hartland was found dead at the scene in an early morning auto crash off Carmen Road, Saturday, November 24th.  Authorities say her car left the highway at high speed, hit a tree, rammed into a crate of wood, then a house, and finally another tree in the area of 2823 Carmen Road just after 1AM. 

Harold L. Frasier III, 25, of Gasport, 11/19 at ECMC.   From injuries when his speeding car crashed off Ridge Road.

According to public papers, Mr. Frasier's Chevy Cavalier was speeding along Ridge Road, near Quaker Road when it went off the highway, crashing into a tree about 4:15AM Monday, 11/18.  Mr. Frasier was pinned in the vehicle and had to be removed by crews using the "Jaws of Life."  The accident continues under investigation.

Charlotte J. Brawn, 81, of Cambria, 11/7 at LMH. Former cook at HRD, mother of three.

Robert W. Keller, 54, of Newfane, 11/8 at LMH.   Retired from HRD, father of two.

Arvilla Manz (Hill), 87, of Gasport, 11/5 in nursing home.  Mother of one had been cook at Harrison plant.

Andrew John Bennett, 33, of Barker, 11/4.  After hit by truck walking along Rochester Road.  Father of one. 

Mr. Bennett died Sunday, November 4, 2001.  He was born September 4, 1968 in Lockport and attended Royalton-Hartland schools.  He was the father of Ryan Chandler.  The son of Ray W. (Margaret ) Bennett Sr. of Lockport and Elizabeth A. (Dave Hollenbaugh) Bennett of Gasport.  Bother of Elizabeth R. (John) Taylor of Lockport, Ray W. (Carolyn) Bennett Jr. of Michigan,  Daniel (Bessie) Bennett of California, and Cheryl (Daniel) Shoop of Lockport.

Friends may call from 7-9PM on Tuesday and 2-4, 7-9PM on Wednesday at the Taylor & Reynolds Funeral Home, Corner of Transit and Niagara Streets, where the funeral will be held on Thursday at a time to be announced.  Memorials to Niagara Hospice would be appreciated by the family.

Dawn M. Olka (Keyes), 50, 10/28 at home in Newfane. Mother of two was born in Lockport.

Mrs. Olka passed away on October 28th after a long illness at home.  Dawn was loved by all who knew her and is remembered by her family as an outstanding mother and grandmother.  She lived in Newfane at the time of her passing but lived a good majority of her life in Lockport.  

Eugene A. Metzinger Sr., 69, 10/23 in West Valley, NY.   Former head of Metzinger Trucking (Pendleton).  Father of 2.

Audria G. Weller,   82, of Sanborn, 10/22 at home. Retired secretary at Starpoint School.  Mother of one.

Gerald E. Shannon, 60, of Middleport, 10/22 at Medina Hospital. Retired from HRD.  Father of three.

William H. Rudnick, 96, of Olcott, 10/21 in nursing home.   Retired chief mechanic at County Courthouse.

James Patrick,  88, of Cambria, 10/21 in nursing home.   Farmer.  Father of five.

Leonard L. Shepard, of Middleport, 10/20 in nursing home.   Father of three.

Andrew J. Dore,  20, of Fisk Rd, Pendleton, 10/20 was run over by truck on Fiegle Rd about 3:45AM.

Niagara County Sheriff's Deputies say the driver of the truck, a 22-year old Town of Lockport man, had left the scene after running over Mr. Dore in the middle of the road but later returned to the scene.  He told deputies he thought that he "hit something...possibly a body" which was lying in the middle of the road.  The incident remains under investigation.  Mr. Dore is the son of Edward and Barbara (McDonald) Dore of Pendleton.

Roger N. Hutchison, 60, of Wilson, 10/19.    Wrestling and track coach at Wilson schools.

Ralph A. Turgeon, 72, in Williamsville home 10/18.  Restaurateur still owned Riverside Inn, Lewiston Brew House. 

Amelia T. Santillo (Minervino) 81, 10/15, in High Point, NC. Mother of three was born in Oakfield.

Mrs. Santillo served in the United States Army in the WAC and was a member of the Loyal Order of the Moose in Lockport, a volunteer for the American Red Cross, The VA Hospital in Buffalo, and Lockport Memorial Hospital.  She was also an award-winning bowler.  She married Humbart D. Santillo Sr. on January 13, 1944.  He predeceased her on August 9, 1986.

Mrs. Santillo was the mother of Sandra (Lynn) Dostal of North Carolina, Humbart (Dawn) Santillo Jr. of Buffalo and Michael Santillo of Arizona.  Military graveside rites were held at Cold Springs Cemetery in Lockport on Saturday, October 27, 2001.   Arrangements were by Taylor & Reynolds Funeral Home in Lockport.

Terrial Streppa, 21, of Gasport, 10/11 in car crash off North Canal Rd.  Mother of 2 worked at Sea Breeze Rest.

George Sinsel Croft, 92, of Newfane, 10/9. Retired after 41 years at Harrison as Blue Print checker.  Father of two.

Jennifer C. Rhue, 26, of Ransomville when her truck crashed into a pole early 9/29 off Braley Road. Worked for IRS.

Lloyd J. O'Connor, 81, once of Niagara Falls, 9/27 in Elmira.  County Legislator for ten years.  Father of five.

Roger Bingham, Sr.,  55, of Olcott, 9/23 at ICMH.  Auditor for Delphi-Harrison.  Father of two.

Peggy Jo Keyes (Hollenbaugh), 43, of Middleport, 9/22, at scene of auto accident in Royalton.  Mother of two. 

Sheriff's deputies say Mrs. Keyes was driving about 80 mph when her car left the Royalton-Center Road, near Haseley Road  about 11:40PM Saturday, 9/22.  She was thrown from the car and later pronounced dead at the scene.  In addition to two children she is survived by her husband, Dale. She was employed at Whiting Roll-Up Door of Akron.  She was a 1976 graduate of Roy-Hart High.

Barbara Ann Cooper (Wagner), 66, of Niagara Falls, 9/22.  Born in Lkpt was mother of three.

Victor L. Pellicano, M.D.,  89, of Niagara Falls, 9/20 at Mt. St. Mary's. Married Eulalie Vincent in Lkpt in '38.

Paul Crapsi, 56, of Niagara Falls, 9/17 at Buffalo General.  Niagara County Family Court Judge.  Father of three.

Kenneth A. Dohring, 90, of Gasport, 9/17 in Medina Hospital.  Farmer and radio repairman.  Former HRD worker.

Frederick E. Shutt, 70, of Barker, 9/7. Former Barker Mayor, Korean vet, father of two.

    Mr. Shutt passed on Friday, 9/7/01 in the Newfane Health Care Facility.  He spent most of his life in the Barker area where he was born on August 4, 1931, the son of the late Earl and Gretta Decker Shutt.  He married Joyce Huyett in Barker on March 3, 1955.  He was a Navy veteran of the Korean War, serving from 1951 until 1955.  He was field manager for Cornicopia Farms in Barker for several years and was past mayor of the Village of Barker. Shutt was a long-time member of the Barker Fire Company and the Barker Lions Club.
       Shutt was the father of Karen (John) Pavlock of Barker  and Becky (Bill) Mores of Spiro, OK.  Funeral services will be Monday, 9/10 at 11AM in Faith United Methodist Church, Quaker Rd, Barker with burial in Somerset Cemetery.  Arrangements are under the direction of the Rutland-Corwin Funeral Home of Barker.

Paul Wisniewski, 24, of Newfane, 9/3 when his motorcycle hit by van in Town of Amherst along Transit Rd.

Radovan Cikoch, 66, of Gasport, 9/3 in LMH.  Retired from HRD.  Father of two.

Fredrick C. Kaufman, 65, 9/3 in Gasport home.   Had worked over 20 years at Upson.  Father of six.

Donald E. Drake, 70, 8/24 at ICMH.  Lockportian moved to Newfane.  Father of three retired from HRD.

Clifton J. Vincent, 97, 8/23 at ICMH.   Lockportian moved to Newfane in '22.  Father of 6 worked at Lkpt Felt.

James D. DiLapo Jr., 73, 8/17 at Millard Filmore.   Restaurateur and Pendleton developer.

Mr. DiLapdo opened the once-famed Cloister Restaurant on Delaware Avenue in Buffalo.  As a developer he built hotels, apartment buildings and other structures here and in Florida.  In 1995 he purchased the "Petite Castles" in Pendleton.  The 16-acre private park includes two four-story European-style castles.  The property had been built in the early 20th century by Buffalo lighting manufacturer, Joseph A. Schneider.  Many of the property's statues, fountains and other architectural gems came from the Italian Pavilion of the 1901 Pan-American Exposition.   He was the father of four.

David R. Clark, 65, of Middleport, 8/16.  Retired after 44 years as test tech at GM/Lkpt.  Father of three.

Casimera Morotchic, 7/29 at ICMH.

Casimera Morotchic of Newstead, NY formerly North Tonawanda, NY wife of the late John Morothcic entered into rest Sunday July 29, 2001 in Newfane Healthcare Facility. Mother of Patricia (Robert)Fralick of Newfane, NY. Also survived by 3 sisters and 3 brothers and several nieces and nephews. Survices were held Tuesday, July 31, 2001 at Rutland-Corwin Funeral Home Inc, Newfane, NY. Burial was in Wrights Corners Cemetery, Town of Newfane, NY.

Reita May Spiece (Chappuis), 80, 7/29 in Gasport nursing home. Mother of two retired from HRD.

Ethel N. Korosecz (Arnold), 74, 7/21 at Gasport home.   Worked at Norton Labs for 37 years. Member Trinity Lutheran.

Murial K. Potter (Connolly), 78, 7/19 while vactioning in Pine River, MN.  Retired secretary at FMC/Middleport.

Mrs. Potter led a varied and full life beginning with her birth in Hibbing, MN.  She was a veteran of WW-2 serving in the US Navy.  Before coming to Gasport, where she lived for 47 years, she had lived in Buffalo and Chicago.  She retired as a secretary at FMC/Middleport in 1972 after 20 years of service.  She was the owner-operator of Potter Ceramics in Gasport.  She is survived by a son and daughter.

Dominic A. Colucci, Sr.  83, 7/19 at home in Niagara Falls. Co-owner of Como & Goose's Roost restaurants.

Raymond R. Oswald, 42, 7/19 at Roswell.  Athletic coach at Maryvalle High, father of two lived in Pendleton.

Rita M. Kennedy, 87, 7/17 at Mt. View in Lkpt.   Resided on family farm in Appleton until 1995.

Kenneth John Berner, Sr., 80, 7/14 in nursing home.   Retired from HRD (machinist), father of seven.

James D. Clapsaddle, 59, 7/6 at Millard Filmore.   Gasport father of three retired from HRD.

Joanne M. Jaenecke (Linsay), 71, 7/4. Operated ceramic shop for 30 years.  Mother of two.

Barbara A. Killion, 61, 7/4 at ICMH.  Former Asst. Parts Mgr at Hall's Toyota.  Mother of three.

Ida Mae Bagley (Vosburgh), 93, 6/27 at ICMH.   Mother of three, born in Lkpt, was active in Barker church.

Howard F. Schotz, 100, 6/24 at ICMH. Wilson man father of a daughter, Mrs. George (Pauline) Alvers and two sons, the late Kenneth ( Audrey ) Schotz and James ( Marlene ) Schotz.  Mr. Schotz was also survived by 18 grandchildren 28 great granchildren.

Elton H. Sage, 80, 6/19.  Co-owner of Sage Nursery in Newfane.  WW-2 vet retired from Harrison's. Father of 3.

Percy Spark, 75, 6/13 at home.   Royalton farmer & father of 5.

Mr. Spark was born Aug. 21, 1925 in Royalton.  He wed the former Lois Field November 18, 1950.  Together they had 5 children.  Mary (Richard) Williams of Lockport; Robin (Robert) Cheek of Little Rock, Arkansas; Susan (John) Carnes of Chicago, Illinois; James (Angela) Spark of Gasport.  He was predeceased by a son Thomas in 1988.  He is also survived by 12 grandchildren.

Our family lost two relatives this past June 11. They were both my uncles, one passed on in Newfane at 3:20 am on the 11th, and then the other uncle passed on at 4:30 pm at ECMC in Buffalo---Randy Raetz:

Thomas F. Tarajos, 66, 6/11. He was retied from Harrison Radiator, married to Florence(Raetz) Tarajos, father of two, William and Stephen. He lived in Gasport at the time of his death, and enjoyed playing cards.

Richard A. Raetz, Born June 26, 1945, making him 55. He was employed at Mayer Brothers in Olcott/Barker at the time of his death, and he lived in Olcott. He was divorced with no children. He was an avid Buffalo Bills fan!

Willis F. Raetz, 82, 6/11 at ICMH.  WW-2 vet operated farm.   Father of two. 

Thomas F. Tarajos, 66, 6/11 at ICMH. Gasport man worked production at GM Tonawanda plant.  Father of two.  

Timothy McVeigh, 33, of Pendleton, executed 6/11 in Terre Haute, IN.   Convicted Olkahoma City bomber, terrorist. 

Mildred Wagner (Brucker), 89, 5/15 at Mt. View nursing home.   Homemaker and mother of four.

Mrs. Wagner passed on just five days after her 89th birthday.  She had lived in the Wolcottsville-Akron area all of her life.  She was the wife of Henry Wagner and the mother of James Wagner (Wolcottsville), Marilyn Hollenbeck (Wolcottsville), Linda Goodman (Bradenton Florida) and the late Betty Ruth Wagner.  (Submitted by Loretta Colon)

Miguel Alfonzo, 18, 5/12 of Middleport while a passenger in a vehicle roll-over accident .

Funeral directors and families are urged to submit information of Lockportian deaths promptly so that a worldwide readership can be notified as soon as possible.  Families should specifically ask their funeral directors to submit this information or do it themselves.  Many funeral directors are not yet aware of the need to notify The New Media.  Here at the Lockport Home Page we are set up to take this information 24 hours-a-day, seven days-a-week.   Information is not taken by telephone but only in a written form by E-Mail, E-Mail attachment, or FAX.   Photographs will be published if requested.

An effort is made to include a former or maiden name when available. This name will show in (parentheses). However, these names are often unavailable from our sources.   Notices are expanded to obituaries when the funeral director or family provides the additional information.  Calling hours are listed (for a limited period) when provided by funeral directors.

If death information is not obtained from funeral directors, public or published sources, the source of the information is indicated. In the latter case every effort is made to confirm the reliability of the source. There is no charge for notices placed here. Submissions may be made by

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