Obituaries

James Joseph Sciandra

James Joseph Sciandra

Jan 1, 2022

James Joseph Sciandra, Sr., 91, of West Chester formerly of Downingtown, passed away on Saturday, January 1, 2022. He was the beloved husband of the late Aleen C. (Schuh) Sciandra, with whom he shared 62 years of marriage prior to her passing in 2013.Born in Buffalo, NY, he was the son of the late Joseph John and Lucy (Vaccaro) Sciandra.He...

Gertrude E. Harriger

Gertrude E. Harriger

Dec 31, 2021

Gertrude Esther Harriger, (nee Craig) 87 of North Tonawanda died on Friday December 31, 2021. Wife of the late William “Bill” Harriger. Loving mother of Stephen (Diane) Harriger, Lori King and the late Vicki Carlson. Proud Grandmother of Amie Vrba, Corey Harriger, Amanda Corbett, Christopher DePorter, Ashley King and the late Micheal King and Brandon Harriger. Great Grandmother of Jacob,...

Elizabeth Jane Ruzylo

Elizabeth Jane Ruzylo

Nov 27, 2021

Elizabeth Jane Ruzylo “Betty” (nee Young), 93, of North Tonawanda on Saturday November 27, 2021. Wife of the late Theodore Ruzylo. Beloved mother of Linda Turecki and the late David Ruzylo. Sister of Patricia (Joseph) Baudo and the late Richard Young and Eugene Young. Proud grandmother of Lindsey (Armando) Cortes, Peter Turecki, Michael (Christine) Turecki. Great grandmother of Jared and...

M. Erin Grady

M. Erin Grady

Nov 25, 2021

M. Erin Grady (nee Walker) 66, of Amherst passed on Thursday November 25, 2021 after a valiant fight against Breast Cancer. Dear daughter of the late Ray and Mary (nee Murphy) Walker. Beloved wife for 39 years of Tim Grady. Loving mother of Daniel (Katie) Grady and Caitlin (James) Mikulski. Proud grandmother of Nolan Grady. Sister of DeLynn (Douglas McMurtry)...

Marie Difrancesco

Marie Difrancesco

Nov 23, 2021

Marie DiFrancesco, age 89 of North Tonawanda at Elderwood at Wheatfield, on November 23, 2021 after a long illness. Marie was a member of the former Ascension R.C. Church and presently, St. Jude the Apostle Parish. Daughter of the late Joseph and Lucy Sciandra. Sister of the late Russell (late Regina) Sciandra; the late Angie (late Charles) Montana; and James...

Joan D.  Powell

Joan D. Powell

Nov 13, 2021

Joan D. Powell, (nee Young) 88, of North Tonawanda, died on November 13, 2021 after a long illness. Wife of the late Roger Hogenkamp, Gorden Powell and Victor Freeland. Loving mother of James Hogenkamp, David (Joyce) Hogenkamp. Grandmother of Andrew Hogenkamp, Christine Hogenkamp, Brittany Hogenkamp and Alexis Hogenkamp. Dearest friend of Jim Zezzo, and Vincent and Susan Cardonna. There is...

Clement James Clements

Clement James Clements

Oct 28, 2021

C. James Clements, “Limey”, 82, of North Tonawanda died on October 28, 2021 after a long illness. Beloved husband for 63 years of Virginia (nee Miller) Clements. Loving father of Pamela (Gary) Fornasiero and Catharine (Denny) Ho. Grandfather of Michael (Elissa) Fornasiero, Robert (Laura) Fornasiero, Peter (Sara) Fornasiero, Adrian Ho and Brian Ho. Brother of Christine Sheelar and the late...

Mary Jane Ammerman

Mary Jane Ammerman

Oct 22, 2021

Mary Jane Ammerman, (nee Roetzer) 87, of North Tonawanda died on October 22, 2021 after a long illness. Beloved wife of Edward N. Ammerman, Jr.. Loving mother of Thomas (Barbara) Pemkiewicz of Chesnee, SC, Kenneth D. (Patti) Pemkiewicz, Edward N. (Sharon) Ammerman, III, and Jamie Lee Ammerman. Grandmother of Marshall Pemkiewicz, Thomas Pemkiewicz, Jr., Howard Kenneth Markell, Nicholas James Markell,...

Donald James Vickerd

Donald James Vickerd

Oct 18, 2021

Donald J. Vickerd, 52, suddenly in the Town of Lockport. Loving husband of Tammy (nee Laganiak) Vickerd. Proud and loving father of Erik R. Vickerd and Jake L. Vickerd. Brother of Patti Steves and the late Robert Vickerd (Tania).

Donald most recently worked for Makotek and previously owned Don Vickerd Pools in North Tonawanda. He was also an independent contractor...

Dr. Brunilde Matuszak, O.D.

Dr. Brunilde Matuszak, O.D.

Oct 4, 2021

Dr. Brunilde Matuszak, O.D. , (nee Tassone) age 44 of North Tonawanda died on October 4, 2021 after a long illness. Wife of Dr. Brian Matuszak, O.D., Loving mother of Christopher Matuszak. Dear daughter of Tina Tassone and the late Raffaele Tassone. Sister of Dr. B. G. Tassone (Dr. Isabel Cranz) and Alfredo Tassone.

Friends received by the family on...

Ronald F.  Anastasi

Ronald F. Anastasi

Sep 11, 2021

Ronald F. Anastasi, 81, of North Tonawanda on Saturday (September 11, 2021) after a short illness. Ron was a member of St Jude the Apostle Parish. He retired from General Motors in Tonawanda to spend time with his grandchildren and travel with his wife. Son of the late Frank and Helen Anastasi. Loving husband of the late Patricia (nee Carlo)...

Margaret M. Kuntz

Margaret M. Kuntz

Sep 1, 2021

Margaret Kuntz (nee LaBelle) age 77. Very sad to announce the passing of Margaret M. Kuntz. After a brief battle with Pancreatic Cancer under the care of Northgate Nursing Facility. Margaret was the daughter of Edmund and Marie La Belle. Beloved wife of the late Norman Kuntz. Dear mother of Wanda Campbell and Michael Wagner and the late Debra Dillabough....

Francis M. Wasielewski

Francis M. Wasielewski

Aug 29, 2021

Francis “Frankie” M. Wasielewski, 84, of North Tonawanda died on August 29. 2021. Husband of the late Donna G. (nee Sawyer) Wasielewski. Loving father of Paul (Kitrese) Wasielewski,, Melissa (Douglas) Barney and James Wasielewski. Proud grandfather of Donna, Koryn, Kaley, Derek, Veronica, Lydia, Serina, Ryan and Jake. Great-grandfather of Donovan, Charlotte, and Antonio.Brother of Paul (Betty) Wasielewski, Barbara (the late...

Lorraine M. Kaiser

Lorraine M. Kaiser

Aug 25, 2021

Lorraine M. Kaiser, (nee Fulton) 74 of North Tonawanda passed on August 25, 2021 after a brief illness. Loving wife for 54 years of William G. Kaiser. Dear mother of Scott (Christine) Fraser, Rebecca (Stephen) Dority. Proud grandmother of Brittany Fraser and Anthony Sciandra and Thomas Rall. Great-grandmother of four great-grandchildren. Also survived by several nieces and nephews. Friends received...

Karen A.  Gasinski

Karen A. Gasinski

Jul 21, 2021

GASINSKI - Karen A.(nee Krebs)Age 75 of North Tonawanda, died onJuly 21, 2021 at North Gate NursingFacility after a long illness. Wife of thelate John D. Gasinski. Loving motherof Tracy A. Gasinski, Kelly M. (Scott)Whitmire, Marcy L. (Scott) Gibbons.Proud grandmother of Ava, Landonand Parker. Sister of Nancy (Robert)George, Joan (William) Sprenger andSandra “Sandy” (the late John) Watt.Also survived by several...

Gary Patrick Bell

Gary Patrick Bell

Jul 14, 2021

Gary Partick Bell, 66, of North Tonawanda suddenly, on July 14, 2021. Brother of Michael (Donna) Bell, Keith (Diane) Bell and the late Daniel Bell. Son of the late Richard H and Lois M. (nee McIver) Bell. Services are private.

George H. Hertel

George H. Hertel

Jun 26, 2021

HERTEL - George H. Age 91, of Ridgeway, Ontario, Canada, died on June 26, 2021, at the Gilmore Lodge in Ft. Erie. Husband of the late Regina (nee Connolly) Hertel; loving father of Donald G. Hertel, Barbara Hertel, Joanne (Kenneth) Cramer and the late Sandra Hertel; grandfather of five grandchildren and six greatgrandchildren;brother of the late Lorraine Dungan-Hodge. Friends received...

Susan A. Downing

Susan A. Downing

Jun 18, 2021

Susan “Sue” A. Downing (nee Lukasik) 71, of the Town of Wheatfield died on Friday, June 18, 2021. Wife of the late Steven E. Downing. Daughter of the late John and Shirley Lukasik. Beloved Mother of Deanna (Dennis) Scott and Tracy Fleischman. Proud grandmother of Meghan, Timothy, Amber and Kaysy. Sister of Wendy (David) Lusk and Michael Lukasik and the...

Beth Ann Higgins

Beth Ann Higgins

Jun 7, 2021

Beth Ann Higgins, (nee Rooney) 62, of North Tonawanda on June 7, 2021 at her residence. Dear daughter of Phyllis Rooney. Loving mother of Kelli Lynn (Eric) Sondel of Amherst, and Lauren Ann (Gregory) Boland of New Hampton, NY. Proud grandmother of Portland Sondel and Avery Boland and Roxy (the Boxer). Dear Fur-mom of her cats, Simon and Rosie.Friends received...

Suzanne J.  D'Amico

Suzanne J. D'Amico

Jun 3, 2021

Suzanne J. D’Amico (nee Smith) (Muni) on June 3, 2021. Beloved wife of David V. D’Amico. Loving mother of Christopher (Kelly) Muni, Craig (Danielle) Muni and Shannon (Ralph) Corlis. Dear Step-mother of Vincent (Belah) D’Amico, Stephanie (Greg) Constantino and Katherine D’Amico. Proud Grandmother of Allyssa and Devin Muni, Zachary and Joey Muni and Shelby, Ella and Mason Corlis. Step-grandmother of...