Dunkirk Obituaries

Gary N. Kowalski, 74, of Fredonia, N.Y., passed away on Christmas Day at Brooks Hospital after a brief illness.

Gary was born May 17, 1949, in Dunkirk, son of the late Norman and Loretta (Sadowski) Kowalski. He graduated from Silver Creek High School and served in the United States Army from 1969-1971, where he was an MP cook. Later,...

Donald A. Brisky, 72, of Dunkirk passed away Thursday evening Dec. 28, 2023, at home after a brief illness. Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by the McGraw-Kowal Funeral Home.

Sarah “Sally” B. Valone (Warren Harris) died surrounded by family on Dec. 22, 2023 at the Star Hospice House in Lakewood, NY.

She was born in Bradford, PA to Samuel and Tillie (Barbuto) Valone.

A graduate of Dunkirk High School, Sally went on to serve in the United States Marine Corps from 1955-1957, where she reached the rank of corporal...

Sarah B. “Sally” Valone-Warren-Harris, 86, of Dunkirk passed away Friday morning, Dec. 22, 2023 at the Chautauqua Hospice & Palliative Care surrounded by her loving family. A full obituary will be Published in Thursday’s edition of the Observer and The Post Journal. Arrangements are by McGraw-Kowal Funeral Home.

Joan Marie Lyons passed away peacefully at home Tuesday, December 17, 2023 at the age of 81 surrounded by family and close friends.

Joan was born on September 18, 1942 in Toledo Ohio to Robert and Marjorie (Golubski) McCaig.

She moved to Dunkirk NY at the age 2 where she spent the rest of her life.

She attended Cardinal Mindszenty...

Joan M. Lyons, 81, of Dunkirk passed away Tuesday afternoon at home with her loving family by her side. A full obituary will be posted in this weekend’s edition of the Observer. Arrangements have are by the McGraw-Kowal Funeral Home.

Charlotte M. Jakiel, 83, of Dunkirk passed away Monday evening at Mercy Hospital of Buffalo with her family by her side.

Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by the McGraw-Kowal Funeral Home.

John E. Ley Jr., passed away unexpectedly on Dec. 17, 2023, at his home in Dunkirk, New York. He was born on Sept. 2, 1966, in Dunkirk, the beloved son of John E. Ley Sr. and Betty C. (Pearsall) Ley.

John graduated from Dunkirk High School in 1984 before pursuing further education online to earn an associate’s degree.

John...

Life-long resident and Dunkirk native Ruth Marion Langenstein FitzGerald, residing at the Chautauqua Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Temple Road, Dunkirk died Thursday, November 30, 2023 in Brooks Hospital after a brief illness. She was 98 years old.

She was the daughter of the late Joseph W. Langenstein and Amelia B. Kolb of Dunkirk. Ruth was born September 30, 1925 in...

Loretta V. (Krzakala) Nikitas, 92, passed away peacefully at her home on December 8, 2023, surrounded by her family.

A lifelong resident of Dunkirk, Loretta was born on February 19, 1931 and dedicated her life to various roles.

She was employed at the former Van Raalte, was a homemaker, she worked as a lunch lady at St. Elizabeth Ann...

Henry K. Leworthy Jr., 98, of Sarasota, FL died Friday, Dec. 1, 2023, at Brooks Memorial Hospital.

Calling hours will be held Friday, Dec. 8, from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at the McGraw-Kowal Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held Saturday, Dec. 9, at 10 a.m. in the funeral home. Rev. Holly Clark-Porter will officiate.

Henry K Leworthy Jr., 98, of Sarasota FL died Friday (Dec. 1, 2023) at Brooks Memorial Hospital.

A longtime resident of the Fredonia area, he was born in Dunkirk on October 20, 1925, to Henry K. and B Ruth (Johnson) Leworthy. A US Navy veteran of World War II, he served three years in the south Atlantic as a radioman....

Ruth L. FitzGerald, 98, of Dunkirk died Thursday evening (Nov. 30, 2023) at Brooks Memorial Hospital.

Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by the McGraw-Kowal Funeral Home.

Henry K. Leworthy, 98, of Sarasota, Fla., formerly of Fredonia died Friday morning (Dec. 1, 2023) at Brooks Memorial Hospital.

Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by the McGraw-Kowal Funeral Home.

Carmen J. Messina, 73, of Dunkirk died Saturday morning (Nov. 25, 2023) at ECMC in Buffalo.

Calling hours will be held TODAY, Nov. 28, from 4-7 p.m. at the McGraw-Kowal Funeral Home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Wednesday, Nov. 29, at 10 a.m. at Holy Trinity Church. Entombment will be in the Resurrection Mausoleum of Holy Trinity...

Carmen J. Messina, 73, of Dunkirk died unexpectedly on Saturday November 25, 2023 at ECMC in Buffalo.

He was born Dec. 21, 1949 in Dunkirk, the son of the late Joseph C. and Angeline (Criscione) Messina.

Carmen graduated from Dunkirk High School in 1968 and went on to earn a master’s degree at Fredonia State College teaching 33 years at...

John O. Metzger, 94, of Fredonia died Saturday evening (Nov. 11, 2023) at Brooks Memorial Hospital.

Calling hours will be held Saturday, Nov. 25, from 10-11:30 a.m. at the McGraw-Kowal Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held immediately after the calling hours at 11:30 a.m. Pastor Scott Wise will officiate. Burial will be in Cowdens Corner Cemetery. Arkwright, NY....

Frances A. “Frannie” Galofaro, 88, of Dunkirk died Saturday evening (Nov. 18, 2023) at the Chautauqua Nursing and Rehabilitation Center following a brief illness.

She was born Feb. 17, 1935 in Wellsville, NY, the daughter of the late Mearl and Elizabeth (Ketchner) Aldrich.

A resident of the area for most of her life, Frances was a graduate of Wellsville High...

Loretta M. Hemink, 82, of Dunkirk died Friday morning (Nov. 17, 2023) at Brooks Memorial Hospital. She was born June 23, 1941 in Dunkirk, the daughter of the late Arthur and Anna (Christopher) Palmatier.

A lifelong Dunkirk resident, Loretta was a graduate of Dunkirk High School, class of 1960. She was a member of St. John’s United Church of Christ,...

Frances A. “Frannie” Galofaro, 88, of Dunkirk died Saturday evening (Nov. 18, 2023) at the Chautauqua Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.

Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by the McGraw-Kowal Funeral Home.