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Paul D. “Digger” Gernatt Sr.

Paul D. “Digger” Gernatt Sr.

SPRINGVILLE — Paul D. “Digger” Gernatt Sr., 73, of Springville, NY passed away January 13, 2018 at Buffalo General Hospital.

He was born January 1, 1945 in Gowanda, NY the son of the late Paul and Rita (Timmell) Gernatt.

On September 7, 1968 he married the former Annette McIlvenna who survives.

Mr. Gernatt was a veteran having served in the US Army and worked for the NYS Dept. of Transportation for 30 years until his retirement. He was a 50 year member of the Collins Center Fire Dept., where he was awarded fireman of the years multiple times and was its Fire Police Captain for many years. He was a member of Epiphany of Our Lord RC Church, Springville American Legion, AMVETS of Boston, NY and Collins Conservation Club. He was an avid outdoorsman and was known for His special BBQ sauce.

Besides his loving wife of 49 years, he is survived by a son Paul (Kristin) Gernatt Jr. of Orchard Park, NY and a daughter Rebecca (Travis) Gominiak of Springville, NY, six grandchildren Quentin, Kailey, Ava, Miley, Owen and Charlotte. Also surviving are 2 brothers Arthur (Elaine) Gernatt of Springville and Joseph (Jenny) Gernatt of Collins and 10 sisters Joyce Kerr of East Otto, Olive (Werner) Stang of Perrysburg, Rita (Norbert) Gabel of Lawtons, Rosemarie (Robert) Butzer of Wis., Sue (Marty) Niefergold of Lawtons, Mary (Charles) Richmond of N.Collins, Bernadette (Rich Jemison) Folts of N.Collins, Annette (John) Noto of N. Collins, Theresa (Harold) Butzer of Collins and Diane (Steve) Woloszyn of Delevan and over 200 nieces and nephews. Also a sister in law Audrey (late Oliver) Krebs of N.Collins and a brother in law Alfred (Pat) McIlvenna of Springville.

He was predeceased by a sister Joan Schuster and his step mother and mother in law Marguerite Rogers.

Friends may call at the Mentley Funeral Home Inc., 105 East Main Street in Gowanda, NY on Wednesday January 17, 2018 from 24 p.m. and 69 p.m.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be said on Thursday January 18, 2018 at 11 a.m. from Epiphany of Our Lord RC Church in Langford, NY.

Burial will be in Collins Center Cemetery.

Memorials May be made to Collins Center Fire. Dept or Gowanda Ambulance service.