Obituaries

Dunkirk Obituaries

Local obituaries for Dunkirk, New York

Robert O. Mourer Jr.

Robert O. Mourer Jr.

Oct 15, 2024

Robert O. Mourer Jr., 79, of Fredonia, passed away Tuesday, October 15, 2024 at Millard Fillmore Hospital in Buffalo. Born in Great Falls, Montana on November 11, 1944, Husband of Karen (Saden) Mourer and son of the late Robert O. Mourer Sr. and Concetta (Glorioso) Mourer. 

Robert graduated from Fredonia High School and was a star athlete in Track and Field...

Jose M. Rivera Sr.

Jose M. Rivera Sr.

Oct 11, 2024

Jose M. Rivera Sr.,77, of Dunkirk, passed away Friday evening, October 11, 2024 at UPMC Hamot in Erie, PA. Born in Fajardo, Puerto Rico on September 6, 1947, son of the late Catalino and Carmen Melendez Rivera.

For 15 years, Jose worked as a Window Assembler in Ellenville NY, showcasing his strong work ethic and dedication. His passion extended beyond his...

Margaret F. Gloss

Margaret F. Gloss

Oct 9, 2024

Margaret F. (Smith) Gloss, 85, of Dunkirk, passed away Wednesday, October 9, 2024 at Brooks Memorial Hospital following a brief illness. Born in Dunkirk on September 8, 1939, Wife of the late Richard H. Gloss and Daughter of the late Richard Smith and Helen Whalen. 

Margaret attended Dunkirk High School and graduated in 1957. She devoted her life to her role...

Denise E. Raymond

Denise E. Raymond

Oct 2, 2024

It is with great sadness that on October 2nd our beloved mother Denise Earcel Raymond passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family at Buffalo Mercy Hospital. She worked in dietary at Brooks memorial hospital for 7 years in her hometown of Dunkirk . She is survived by her two daughters Synithia Raymond & Destiny Maxwell. Also three grandchildren Jalon...

Virginia A. Baumgartner

Virginia A. Baumgartner

Oct 1, 2024

Virginia A. Baumgartner 75 (Gini), of St. Columban’s on the Lake, formerly of Dunkirk, N.Y. passed away October 1, 2024 after a brief stay at the Chautauqua Nursing and Rehab Center, Dunkirk, N.Y.

 Gini was born on February 1, 1949, in Ithaca, NY, the daughter of the late Richard & Maud Saville. In addition to her parents, Gini was predeceased by...

Theresa F. Pietrkiewicz

Theresa F. Pietrkiewicz

2024

Theresa F. Pietrkiewicz, age 91 of St. Columbans on the Lake formerly of  Dunkirk ,NY passed away on Sunday, September 29, 2024 at Mercy Hospital surrounded by her loving family. Devoted wife of the late Joseph Martin Pietrkiewicz; loving Mother of John Pietrkiewicz, Marie (Paul) Salisbury, Catherine (Kerry) Sedota, and Joseph A. (Raelyn) Pietrkiewicz. Cherished Grandmother of ten grandchildren, two...

Doris M. Thompson

Doris M. Thompson

Sep 29, 2024

Doris M. Thompson, 91, of Dunkirk, NY passed away peacefully in her sleep on September 29, 2024.

Doris was born in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio on July 10th, 1933 to the late Merlin and Pauline Scott. She was a 1951 graduate of St. Mary’s Academy in Dunkirk. After high school, she took a position at the Allegheny Ludlum steel plant in Dunkirk,...

Virginia Heavern

Virginia Heavern

Sep 27, 2024

Virginia Heavern, 80, of Hamburg, formerly of Silver Creek,

passed away Friday morning September 27, 2024 at home.

She was born in Dunkirk, February 20, 1944, daughter of the

late Samuel and Josephine (Corsoro) Rossotto.

Ginny retired from Silver Creek Schools, where she worked

over 20 years.



She loved time spent with her family, especially her grandchildren,

family vacations also liked reading books and traveling to the...

Dr. Richard T. Milazzo Jr.

Dr. Richard T. Milazzo Jr.

Sep 24, 2024

Dr. Richard T. Milazzo, Jr. unexpectedly passed away on Tuesday, September 24th, at the age of 80. He was a beloved member of the Dunkirk-Fredonia community, and as a general practitioner, he provided exceptional patient care for over 50 years.

Dr. Milazzo was born on August 20, 1944 to Dr. Richard T. Milazzo, Sr. and Muriel (Lennon) Milazzo, in New York,...

James Joseph Kwiej

James Joseph Kwiej

Sep 21, 2024

James Joseph Kwiej, 74, of Los Angeles, CA, formerly of Dunkirk, passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 21, 2024 in Los Angeles, CA. Born in Dunkirk on March 27, 1950, Husband of Manja (Vandevelde) Kwiej and son of the late Albin and Dorothy (Katta) Kwiej.

Jim graduated from Dunkirk High School in 1968. He moved to California at a young age,...

Eugene L. Hilliker

Eugene L. Hilliker

Sep 19, 2024

Eugene “Gene” L. Hilliker was born on January 4, 1935, to Norman and Caroline

(Ebling), and passed away peacefully on Thursday, September 19, 2024, surrounded by

his loving family, at Chautauqua Nursing and Rehabilitation. He is now reunited with his

parents, sister Patricia Hovis, and his grandkitties: Lonesome, Kitty, Christmas and

Sassy.



Surviving are his wife of 61 years, Rose Marie (Yacklon), his daughters: Brenda...

Orlando Vazquez Jr.

Orlando Vazquez Jr.

Sep 13, 2024

Orlando "Toby" Vazquez Jr., 49, of Dunkirk passed away Friday morning Sept. 13, 2024 at Brooks Memorial Hospital following a lengthy illness. Born in Dunkirk on August 20, 1975, son of Orlando Vazquez Sr. and Elsa (Echevarria) Vazquez. 

Toby attended Dunkirk High School and ultimately went on to work at various places over the years. Most notably serving as a custodian...

Alphonse G. Kwiej

Alphonse G. Kwiej

Sep 12, 2024

Alphonse G. Kwiej, 82, of Dunkirk passed away Thursday evening, September 12, 2024 at Buffalo General Hospital. Born in Dunkirk on April 29, 1942, husband of Sadie (Sam) Kwiej and son of the late Albin and Dorothy (Katta) Kwiej.

Al graduated from Dunkirk Industrial High School in 1959. Following his education, he enlisted in the United States Navy, serving honorably from...

Barbara J. Lanski

Barbara J. Lanski

Sep 2, 2024

Barbara Jean (Leckliter) Lanski, 77, of Dunkirk NY died peacefully at home on September 2, 2024 after an extended illness.

Barbara was born on May 6, 1947 to Robert and Grace (Wade) Leckliter. A lifelong Dunkirk resident, Barbara was a member of Dunkirk High School’s Class of 1965. After graduation, Barbara worked as a homemaker and was proud of the most...

Robert D. Dillenburg

Robert D. Dillenburg

Aug 30, 2024

Robert D. "Dilly 8" Dillenburg, 56, of Fredonia, passed away suddenly at home Friday morning, August 30 2024. Born in Dunkirk on June 12, 1968, son of the late Philip J. and Beverley (DeWolf) Dillenburg. 

Surviving Robert are his loving children Jade, Robert and Daniel Dillenburg; granddaughter Brynley Frank, and brothers Danilel "Dilly", Jim, Dale, Kenny, Donald and Chucky Dillenburg. Also...

Gail A. Kolassa

Gail A. Kolassa

Aug 26, 2024

Gail A. (Keopke) Kolassa,67, of Fredonia, passed away Monday morning, August 26, 2024 at the Chautauqua Nursing and Rehab Center. Born in Dunkirk on December 16, 1956, wife of the late Thomas Kolassa Sr. and daughter of the late Ronald and Rita (Becker) Keopke. 

A graduate from Dunkirk High School, Gail furthered her passion for cooking by attending BOCES Culinary School.

For...

Higinia Lozada

Higinia Lozada

Aug 24, 2024

Higinia (Vega) Lozada, 82, of Dunkirk, passed away Saturday, August 24, 2024 at the Chautauqua Nursing and Rehab Center with her loving family by her side. Born in Patillas, PR on January 11, 1942; wife of the late Candido Lozada Sr. and daughter of the late Deacon Francisco Sr. and Eufemia (Ruiz) Vega. 

For years, Higinia dedicated herself to her work...

Elizabeth A. Ensalaco

Elizabeth A. Ensalaco

Aug 21, 2024

Elizabeth A. (Murtaugh) Ensalaco, (Beth), of 4535 West Main Road,

Fredonia, N.Y., passed away on August 21, 2024, after a seventeen-year,

valiant battle with Parkinson’s disease and a recent onset of Dementia.

Beth was born September 26, 1944, at Brooks Memorial Hospital to Harry

and Thurza (Wallen) Murtaugh (both deceased). She was also predeceased

by a sister Lynn Marie Murtaugh.



Beth was the beloved wife of...

Darlene M. Halliday

Darlene M. Halliday

Aug 19, 2024

Darlene M. (Preiss) Halliday, 76, of Greenville, South Carolina, formerly of Dunkirk, passed away Monday, August 19, 2024 in Greenville, SC. Born in Dunkirk on August 22, 1947, daughter of the late Roy J. and Mary (Green) Preiss. Friends and family are welcome to attend Calling Hours on Wednesday, August 28, 2024 from 10-11 a.m. at McGraw-Kowal Funeral Home. Interment...

Timothy J. Gunther

Timothy J. Gunther

Aug 3, 2024

Timothy J. Gunther, 55, of Dunkirk, passed away on Saturday, August 3, 2024 at UPMC Hamot in Erie, PA. Born in Dunkirk on February 24, 1969, son of the late Clare (Bialaszewski) Gunther and Roger (Lyn Smith) Gunther. 

Tim was a member of the Dunkirk High School class of 1987. He continued his education and graduated from SUNY Fredonia with a...