U.S., Obituary Collection, 1930-CurrentNOWAK - John C., longtime police officer 8/6/01
John C. Nowak, who held the distinction of being the Buffalo Police Department's unofficial "dean" of teletype operators, died Friday (Aug. 3, 2001) in Father Baker Manor after a lengthy illness. He was 86.
The former teletype technician enjoyed a police career that spanned 33 years at the time of his retirement in 1976.
Born in Buffalo, Nowak graduated from Technical High School.
He married Genevieve "Jean" Banas in 1939. They lived in Orchard Park and were married 61 years.
Nowak joined the police force in 1943, serving in the Southside, Broadway and Niagara stations, as well as the Detective Division and headquarters staff. He spent six years in the detective ranks and was promoted to detective sergeant in 1955.
He also served as a desk lieutenant for several years.
As a teletype technician, he helped train operators who staffed the department's teletype message-relay system. His experience included the installation of new computer-based teletype systems. He was credited with repairing the older system and saving the city money for service calls.
At home, Nowak was known for his handyman skills. Family members also described him as very family-oriented.
"His hobby was his grandchildren," said a daughter, Jacquelyn C. Ostrowski of Orchard Park.
Nowak served for several years as the secretary of the Buffalo Police Bowling League, loved to play cards, enjoyed baseball and football and was a dedicated Buffalo Bills fan. He also attended sports and school activities of his four grandsons.
Nowak also enjoyed traveling extensively throughout the United States and Europe.
He was a member of the SS. Peter & Paul Athletic Club and the Erie Club.
Nowak had served as a Eucharistic minister at St. Casimir's Catholic Church on Weimer Street.
In addition to his wife and daughter Jacquelyn, survivors include another daughter, Janice M. Caito of West Seneca; two brothers, Anthony Nowak of Rockaway, N.J., and Frank Nowak of Miami Lakes, Fla.; a sister, Sister M. Agnese of Villa Maria Convent, Buffalo; four grandsons; two stepgranddaughters; and three great-grandchildren.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday in Nativity of Our Lord Catholic Church, South Buffalo Street and Thorn Avenue, Orchard Park. Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery, Orchard Park.
PARISO - Beverly, nurse business owner 8/6/01
Beverly Pariso, a nurse and business owner, died Friday (Aug. 3, 2001) in Buffalo General Hospital after a long illness. She was 75.
Born Beverly Bird in Toronto, she was a longtime resident of the Buffalo area.
She earned a nursing degree from E.J. Meyer Memorial Hospital in 1947 and worked as a registered nurse at the hospital until 1970. That year, she founded Carmen M. Pariso Inc., a trucking company in the Town of Tonawanda, with her husband. She later opened her own sand and gravel companies, B. Pariso Transport and Seven Springs Gravel.
She was a member of the Williamsville Garden Club and a former president of Ikebana, a Japanese flower-arranging club. She also was a flower show judge, president of Lake Shore Circle and a volunteer at the Erie County Medical Center gift shop.
Survivors include her husband of 52 years, Carmen of Cheektowaga; two sons, Anthony of Grand Island and John of Darien; a daughter, Filomeno of Cheektowaga; and eight grandchildren.
Services will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday in Whitehaven Baptist Church, 1290 Whitehaven Road, Grand Island.
PFISTER - Geraldine 8/6/01
A memorial Mass for Geraldine Pfister, 70, a former IBM operator, will be offered at 11 a.m. Saturday in the Shrine of St. Jude at St. Stephen's Catholic Church, 193 Elk St.
She died of cancer July 3, 2001, in her Ocala, Fla., home.
She was born Geraldine Serafin in Buffalo and was a longtime area resident before moving to Florida.
She attended Stella Niagara School and later worked as an IBM operator in Buffalo.
Mrs. Pfister also was a homemaker. She was active in the Catholic Church and was a "very devoted Christian," said her son David of Buffalo.
"God and her children were all she ever cared about," he said.
Besides her son David, survivors include a daughter, Marlene Terrell of Ocala; another son, Darwyn of Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; and 11 grandchildren.
RATHKE - Katherine K. 8/6/01
RIDGEWOOD - Katherine K. Rathke, 93, died Saturday (Aug. 4, 2001) in her home after being stricken.
She was born Katherine Kruse in Buffalo.
A homemaker, Mrs. Rathke was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church and its Ladies Aid Society.
She was a member of the Newfane Golden Age Club and the Gasport Jet Set. She enjoyed knitting and traveling.
Her husband of 41 years, Walter, died in 1967.
Survivors include a daughter, Rose Zapp of Ridgewood; eight grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and seven great-great-grandchildren.
Services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday in Immanuel Lutheran Church, 7147 Ridge Road. Burial will be in Wrights Corners Cemetery.
WALDRIFF - John H. 8/6/01
NIAGARA FALLS - John H. Waldriff, 80, died Sunday (Aug. 5, 2001) in Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center after being stricken.
Waldriff was born in North Bay, Ont., and graduated from high school in Ontario. He moved to Niagara Falls in 1942.
He was a bus driver for the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority for many years until retiring in 1972 for medical reasons.
Waldriff was working part time at Valu Home Center and Hutchins Automotive at the time of his death.
He was a former member of Lodge 838, Loyal Order of Moose, and enjoyed travel and family activities.
Survivors include his wife, the former Ann N. Scalzo; a son, John R. of Wheatfield; three daughters, Deborah DeMarco of the Town of Niagara and Darlene K. Vinette and Cheryl, both of Amherst; four sisters, Ann McConnell, Elva Vollick, Lucy McVeety and Laura, all of North Bay; a brother, Daniel of North Bay; seven grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
Services will be held at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday in M.J. Colucci & Son Funeral Chapel, 468 19th St. Burial will be in Acacia Park Cemetery, Pendleton.
BARBER - Anne G. La 10/5/2001
NIAGARA FALLS - Anne G. La Barber, 82, died Thursday (Oct. 4, 2001) in Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center after a lengthy illness.
Born Anne Greene in Niagara Falls, she graduated from the former Trott Vocational High School.
She was a cashier for a few years at the former Louis' Restaurant on Falls Street before becoming an office worker.
Mrs. La Barber worked in the Carborundum Co. office before working in the offices of the Building Trades Council of Niagara Falls, Laborers Local 91; and Local 237, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, from which she retired in 1985.
Mrs. La Barber enjoyed golf and was a member of the Niagara Frontier Country Club.
Survivors include her daughter, Anne Reid of Niagara Falls; four grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
Services will be held at 11:30 a.m. Saturday in Otto Redanz Funeral Home, 2215 Military Road, Town of Niagara. Burial will be in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Lewiston.
BRUMLEY - David, heavy equipment operator 10/5/2001
A Mass of Christian Burial for David D. Brumley, 50, a heavy equipment operator for the Town of Tonawanda, will be offered at 9:30 a.m. Saturday in St. Andrew Catholic Church, 1525 Sheridan Drive, Town of Tonawanda. Burial will be in Mount Olivet Cemetery, Town of Tonawanda.
Brumley, who was born in Norfolk, Va., died Tuesday (Oct. 2, 2001) in Kenmore Mercy Hospital after suffering a heart attack.
He came to the Buffalo area with his family 48 years ago and was a 1970 graduate of Cardinal O'Hara High School. He went to work for the Town of Tonawanda Highway Department in 1970.
Brumley was a life member of the Sheridan Park Volunteer Fire Company and was president of the Sheridan Park Exempt Firemen's Association at his death. He was past president of the Town of Tonawanda Firemen's Association and was a member of the Erie County Firemen's Association and other firefighters organizations.
He was a former coach of the Sheridan Park Volunteer Fire Department Girls Softball Team.
His mother, Mary, died Aug. 18.
Survivors include his wife of 26 years, the former Ruth Savarino; a daughter, Cheryl of the Town of Tonawanda; his father, Donald H. of the Town of Tonawanda; and a brother, Steven of the City of Tonawanda.
