U.S., Obituary Collection, 1930-CurrentAlbena M. Davidson
Lifelong Resident of North Tonawanda
Albena (nee Bajorek) Davidson, age 90, died Wednesday, February 12, 2003 at DeGraff Skilled Nursing Facility after a long illness. Born July 2, 1912 in North Tonawanda, she was the daughter of the late Stanley and Carolina (nee Lenartowitz) Bajorek and was a lifelong resident of North Tonawanda. She was the wife of the late Lloyd E. Davidson, who died in 1968, and sister of the late Adolph, Alfred, Aloysius, Alphonse, and Alexander Bajorek.
She is survived by a son, Gary A. Davidson; a sister, Mrs. Alexandra Goetz; a dear friend, Lorraine Zayatz; and many nieces and nephews.
Friends may call from 1-5 PM Sunday at the Hamp Funeral Home, Inc., Adam and Seymour Streets, Tonawanda. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 9:30 AM Monday at Ascension R.C. Church on Robinson Street in North Tonawanda. Friends invited. Interment will be cared for privately at Acacia Park Cemetery.
Sam J. Bellia
Member of St. Amelia's Parish
Sam J. Bellia, age 75, of the Town of Tonawanda, died Wednesday, February 19, 2003 at Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital. Born in Buffalo, he was the son of the late Salvatore and Anna (nee Loschiavo) Bellia and was a lifelong resident of the Tonawandas. A Navy Veteran of WWII, he was a member of St. Amelia R.C. Parish. He was employed at the former Twin Coach Company in Cheektowaga for 22 years, retired from Laborers' Local No. 210 in Buffalo, and was presently employed at Laidlaw Transit Company in North Tonawanda.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Mary (nee Robinson) Bellia; three loving daughters, Joanne (Craig) Woods, Georgine (Anthony) Capizzi, and Lisa (Mark) Mizerkiewicz; three brothers, Augustine (Mary Joan), Angelo (late Leora) and Anthony (Maureen) Bellia; two sisters, Rosalie (Russell) Ministero and Concetta Giglia; and his mother-in-law, Josephine (late George) Trout. He was the devoted grandfather of Anthony, Michael, Jessica, and Matthew; great-grandfather of Adrianna; and special friend of Angelina and Marcus. Also surviving are many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Friends may call from 2-5 PM only on Saturday and Sunday at the Hamp Funeral Home, Inc., Adam and Seymour Streets, Tonawanda. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 9 AM Monday at St. Amelia's R.C. Church on Eggert Road in the Town of Tonawanda. Friends invited. Interment at Elmlawn Cemetery.
Gerald L. Thaler
Formerly of Niagara Falls
Gerald L. "J.T." Thaler, age 66, of Tonawanda, died Wednesday, February 26, 2003, at Erie County Medical Center, after a long illness. Born in Kitchener, Ontario, he was the son of the late William and Catherine (nee Lickity) Thaler and had been a longtime resident of Niagara Falls. He was a teacher with the Buffalo School System and an avid musician, who enjoyed performing with his band, "J.T. & The Nashville Sounds".
He is survived by his wife, Carol (nee Aszman) Thaler; a daughter, Theresa (Jerry) Flynn; two sons, Gerald E. Thaler and David (Danielle) Thaler; and four grandchildren, Daniel, Melissa and Timothy Flynn and Destiny Thaler.
Friends are invited to attend a memorial service at the home of his daughter, Theresa Flynn, 211 Chadduck Avenue, Buffalo, at 4 P.M. Sunday, March 2, 2003.
Alfred J. McMurray
Veteran of Korean War
Alfred J. McMurray, age 71, of North Tonawanda, died Monday, March 3, 2003, at his residence after a long illness. Born in North Tonawanda, he was the son of the late Alfred and Gladys (nee Pearce) McMurray. A lifelong resident of North Tonawanda, he was a member of the Niagara Falls Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints and Sutherland Lodge No. 826, F.&A.M. Mr. McMurray was a veteran of both Army and Navy service during the Korean War, and was employed with I.B.E.W. Local 237 for more than thirty years before retiring in 1993. He was the husband of the late Jean M. McMurray, who died in 1993, and father of the late Daniel W. McMurray.
He is survived by a son, David (Cathy) McMurray; and two daughters, Nancy (Tim) Schmigiel and Joanne (Frank) McCullough. Also surviving are 11 grandchildren, 2 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
Friends may call from 2-4 and 7-9 PM Thursday at the Hamp Funeral Home, Inc., Adam and Seymour Streets, Tonawanda, where funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM Friday. Interment at White Chapel Cemetery.
Edward S. Nowak
Member of Masonic Lodge
Edward S. Nowak, age 84, of Tonawanda, died Thursday, March 6, 2003, under the care of Hospice Buffalo, at his residence after a brief illness. Born in Toledo, Ohio, he was the son of the late Anthony and Sophie (nee Malinowski) Nowak and had been a resident of Tonawanda for more than 50 years. A Navy Veteran of WWII, he worked as an engineer at American Standard in Cheektowaga, before retiring in 1983. He was a member of the Millennium (Occidental) Lodge No. 1179, F. & A.M., and the BMW Motorcycle Owners of America. He was the husband of the late Dorothy L. Nowak, who died in 1977.
He is survived by four children, Mary E. Binks, Margaret (Arthur) Wellsby, Paul (Kathy) Nowak, and David (Kathy) Nowak; a brother, Joseph Nowak; and a sister, Florence (Everett) Beitz. Also surviving are many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Friends may call from 2-6 PM Sunday only at the Hamp Funeral Home, Inc., Adam and Seymour Streets, Tonawanda. Funeral services will be held at 10 AM Monday at Elmlawn Cemetery, Town of Tonawanda. Friends invited.
Yvetta H. Peterson
Self-employed Beautician
Yvetta (nee Knox) Peterson, age 85, of Amherst, died Friday, March 7, 2003, at the Rosa Coplon Jewish Home & Infirmary, after a long illness. Born August 3, 1917 in Franklin, Pennsylvania, she was the daughter of the late Laurence and Cecelia (nee Brown) Knox, and had been a resident of Amherst since 1959. A self-employed beautician, she was a member of the United Church of Christ in Amherst. She was the wife of the late Paul E. Peterson, who died June 25, 1999.
She is survived by three daughters, Bonnie Grabenstatter of Amherst, Sandra (Wally) Lindenmuth of Greeenville, SC, and Judy (John) Bryan of Clarence; four brothers, Maurice Knox of Little Rock, CA, David (Phyllis) Knox of Mobile, AL, Herbert (Ida Mae) Knox of Bradford, PA, and John (Marjorie) Knox of Leurs Run, PA; four sisters, Blanche (Ray) Crane of Zavalla, TX, Viola Hetrick of Ormsby, PA, June (Merle) Phillips of Sligo, PA, and Patricia (Lou) Verrelli of Bradford, PA; and nine grandchildren, Susan (Craig) Webb of Buffalo, Richard (Lori) Grabenstatter of Williamsville, Marcia (James) Paccioti of Clarence Center, Bruce Grabenstatter of Cleveland, OH, Tracy Bryan of Amherst, David (Gina) Grabenstatter of Buffalo, Janine (Steve) Gondek of LasVegas, NV, Heidi (Eric) Miller of Wichita, KS, and Emma Lindenmuth of Witchita, KS. Also surviving are six great-grandchildren, Sean, John Charles, David Bruce, Jessica, Amanda, and Macaila, and many nieces and nephews.
Friends may call from 2-4 and 6-8 PM Tuesday at the Hamp Funeral Home, Inc, Adam & Seymour Streets, Tonawanda, where funeral services will be held at 9:30 AM Wednesday. The Rev. Ernest C. Kellner from Hospice Buffalo will officiate. Interment will be cared for privately at Acacia Park Cemetery, Town of Pendleton. If desired, memorials to Hospice Buffalo, 225 Como Park Blvd, Cheektowaga, NY 14227, are preferred by the family.
Bernice F. Mollnow
Formerly of Tonawanda
Bernice (nee Harmon) Mollnow, age 90, of Tacoma, WA, formely of Tonawanda, died Wednesday, March 5, 2003, at St. Joseph's Hospital in Tacoma, after a brief illness. Born in Niagara Falls, she was the daughter of the late Sylvester and Mamie (nee Rogers) Harmon, and had been a resident of Tonawanda for the greater part of her life. She was a member of St. Francis of Assisi Parish. She was the wife of the late Carl F. Mollnow, who died in 1938.
She is survived by a daughter, Janet (Richard) Lannen of Birminghan, Michigan; a son, Carl (Virginia) Mollnow of Tacoma, Washingon; and a sister, Mildred Barile of North Tonawanda. Also surviving are 7 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
There will be no visitation. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 9:30 AM Tuesday at St. Francis Chapel on Adam Street in Tonawanda. Friends invited. Interment at Acacia Park Cemetery, Town of Pendleton. If desired, memorials to the Alzheimers Association, 1284 French Road, Depew, NY 14043, are preferred by the family. Arrangements by the Hamp Funeral Home, Inc., Adam and Seymour Streets, Tonawanda.
