U.S., Obituary Collection, 1930-Current
Sister Genevieve Van Hook, RSM
Sister Genevieve Van Hook, 85, died June 13, 2001, at Mercy Center Infirmary in Buffalo.
Sister Genevieve was born Genevieve Rita Van Hook in Buffalo to the late James and Sara Ann (McDermott) Van Hook. She attended Holy Family elementary school and Mount St. Joseph Academy, both in Buffalo. In 1933 she entered the Sisters of Mercy and professed her vows in 1936. Sister Genevieve attended Canisius College in Buffalo. She received a bachelor's degree from the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., and a master's degree from Notre Dame University in Indiana.
Sister Genevieve ministered in the field of education teaching music at several elementary schools in the Diocese of Buffalo. She taught liturgical music and music appreciation at Mount Mercy Academy and Trocaire College, both in Buffalo. She also served in music ministry at several churches including St. Mary of Sorrows Church in Buffalo. Sister Genevieve also worked with the Parenting Program in the Commodore Perry Projects also in Buffalo.
A funeral Mass was celebrated in Mercy Center Chapel in Buffalo. Burial was in Holy Cross Cemetery in Lackawanna.
Sister Lois Ann Sanick, OSF
Sister Lois Ann Sanick, 68, died on Sept. 5, 2003, in Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo.
The daughter of Henry and Selma (Raiski) Sanick of Rochester, she entered the Congregation of the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany in 1955 and professed her final vows in 1962.
Sister Lois taught in Prince of Peace and St. Joseph schools, Niagara Falls, and other schools outside the diocese. She was director of religious education at St. Mary’s Parish, Olean, and Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Buffalo.
She also served in parish ministry at St. John’s in Olean, Sacred Heart in Portville, and Our Lady of Lourdes in Buffalo.
A funeral Mass was celebrated on Sept. 9 in the chapel of St. Elizabeth Motherhouse, Allegany. Interment was in St. Bonaventure Cemetery, Allegany.
Sister Mary de Sales Golen, FSSJ
Sister Mary de Sales Golen, 94, died June 6, 2001, in Colette Hilbert Health Center.
Sister Mary de Sales was born Louise Golen in 1906 in Detroit to the late Joseph and Caroline (Pac) Golen. She entered the Congregation of the Franciscan Sisters of St. Joseph in 1922 and professed her final vows in 1928. She received a bachelor's degree from Immaculata College in Pennsylvania and a master's degree from the University of Detroit.
For 44 years Sister de Sales ministered in the field of education. She served in Michigan, Massachusetts, and Maryland. Locally she taught at Sacred Heart School in Medina. She served as general minister of the Franciscan Sisters of St. Joseph from 1970-78 and also served at St. Joseph Hospital in Cheektowaga. In 1988 she retired to Immaculate Conception Convent where she crocheted, wrote letters for the sisters, and visited the sick. She moved to the Colette Hilbert Health Center in 1999.
Survivors include a niece, a nephew, and a cousin, Sister Mary Evarista Golen, FSSJ.
A funeral Mass was celebrated in the Immaculate Conception Convent Chapel in Hamburg. Interment was in St. Stanislaus Cemetery in Cheektowaga.
Sister Marie Agnes Kownacki, CSSF
Sister Marie Agnes Kownacki, 85, died June 5, 2001, in Villa Maria Infirmary in Buffalo.
Sister Marie Agnes was born Mary Kownacki in Erie, Pa., to the late Joseph and Mary (Blaszko) Kownacki. She graduated from Immaculate Heart of Mary Academy (now Villa Maria Academy) in Buffalo and received a bachelor's degree from Mount St. Joseph's Teachers College (now Medaille College), Buffalo. She entered the order of Felician Sisters in 1934, professing her final vows in 1942.
Sister Marie Agnes began her ministry by serving a group of girls at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Home for Children in Cheektowaga. She then spent 33 years serving as a primary and intermediate grade school teacher in schools throughout the Diocese of Buffalo. She also served in the Diocese of Syracuse for four years. For three years she assisted with general services at Villa Angela Convent in Elma and later returned to her home parish Holy Trinity in Erie, Pa., where she served as a tutor and secretarial aide in the school.
Survivors include a sister, Florence Sever of Garfield Heights, Ohio; a brother, Edward Kownacki of Erie; and several nieces and nephews.
A funeral Mass was celebrated in Villa Maria Convent Chapel in Buffalo. Burial followed in St. Stanislaus Cemetery in Cheektowaga.
Msgr. Edward L. Kazmierczak
Msgr. Edward L. Kazmierczak, 74, died June 3, 2001, at Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital in Williamsville.
Msgr. Kazmierczak was born in 1926 in Buffalo to the late Edward L. and Rose M. Kazmierczak. He attended Canisius High School, Buffalo, St. Mary's College in Michigan, and Our Lady of the Angels Seminary at Niagara University.
In 1951, Msgr. Kazmierczak was ordained at St. Joseph's Cathedral in Buffalo by Cardinal John F. O'Hara. He served as administrator at St. Mary's Parish, Arcade; assistant pastor of St. Barbara's Parish, Lackawanna; St. John Gualbert's Parish, Cheektowaga; and St. John Kanty's Parish, Buffalo; and as pastor of St. Valentine's and St. Casimir's parishes, both in Buffalo. He retired in 1994.
Msgr. Kazmierczak was a member of several organizations and committees including president of the Association of the Diocesan Clergy for Polish Affairs, Knights of Columbus Father Justin Council, the Chopin Singing Society, and Rescue Hose Fire Company No. 1.
He is survived by four sisters, Dolores Polanski of West Seneca; Antoinette Mardel of Houston, Texas; Phyllis Motyka of Lackawanna; Barbara Bernas of Buffalo; and two brothers, James of Buffalo and Dennis of West Seneca.
A funeral Mass was celebrated by Bishop Henry Mansell at St. Casimir Church. Burial followed in St. Stanislaus Cemetery in Cheektowaga.
Sister Mary Alicia Barry, RSM
Sister Mary Alicia Barry, 84, died June 2, 2001, at Mercy Center Infirmary in Buffalo.
Sister Alicia was born Mary Rita Barry in Buffalo to the late Michael and Margaret (Smith) Barry. She attended St. Stephen's Elementary School and Mount Mercy Academy. She received a degree in nursing from Mercy Hospital School of Nursing, a bachelor's degree from Canisius College, both in Buffalo, and a master's degree from the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.
In 1937 she entered the Sisters of Mercy and professed her vows in 1939. She ministered in the healthcare field serving at Mercy Hospital, Buffalo, for over 40 years. She held positions as head nurse, night supervisor, supervisor and instructor of pediatrics, and assistant director of nursing service. She also served as director of student health services at Trocaire College, Buffalo, and was a receptionist and secretary at the Julianna Apartments.
A funeral Mass was celebrated in Mercy Center Chapel in Buffalo. Burial was in Holy Cross Cemetery in Lackawanna.
Father James F. Fox, SJ
Father James F. Fox, 68, former president of Canisius High School, died Dec. 14, 2001, in a Jesuit infirmary in New York City.
Born in Dublin, Ireland, Father Fox came to the United States in 1955 and entered the Society of Jesus in 1961. Ordained 10 years later, he earned a bachelor's degree in English and master's degree in guidance and counseling.
As a priest, he was a teacher, hospital chaplain, retreat director, counselor and school administrator.
Father Fox won the distinguished teacher award and a headmaster's citation for excellence in teaching while at Fordham Prep.
He is survived by a sister, Margaret Lowth of Dublin.
A funeral Mass was held in New York City. Burial was in the Shrine of the North American Martyrs in Auriesville.
Brother Christopher Sullivan, FMM
Brother Christopher Sullivan, 79, died Dec. 9, 2001, in St. Joseph's Hospital, Cheektowaga, after a lengthy illness.
He was born in Niles, Ohio, and received his early education there. He received a nursing degree from the Alexian Brothers Hospital School of Nursing, Chicago, and served as pharmacists' mate while he was in the Navy from 1942-45.
Brother Christopher was a nurse in the Brothers of Mercy facilities, Clarence, where he was also Provincial of the American Province from 1979-85. He provided home health care in Buffalo.
Brother Christopher is survived by his sister, Elizabeth Webster of Canfield, Ohio.
A funeral Mass was held in the Brothers of Mercy chapel. Burial was in the Brothers of Mercy section of Clarence Fillmore Cemetery.
