Perfect weather greeted the more than 40 descendants of Michael and Mary Wojcinski that gathered at the lower pavilion of Russell Joy Park in celebration of their 49th reunion on Sunday, Aug. 7. Hosting this year’s reunion was the committee consisting of Tom and Linda Zielinski, Elaine Zielin, Peter and Kim Zielinski and Sharon and Jim Rosplock. Festivities began at 11 a.m., followed by dinner at 1 p.m., which included reunion cake.

The family meeting was held after lunch, concluding with the traditional singing of the “Wojcinski Reunion Song.” Erik Berg hosted the ‘White Elephant’ auction, accompanied by the dynamic duo of Mallory Wojcinski and Michael Pieri, acting as his assistants. Many prizes were awarded to enthusiastic attendees. The evening activities included a hot dog and corn roast, brownies for dessert, along with the annual water balloon competition and pinochle tournament.

Natalie Marczak of Getzville and Joan Kaus of Annandale, Va. are the two remaining direct members of the third generation of Wojcinskis. Rita Kucharski of Erie, Pa. and Tom Zielinski of Van Buren were recognized as the oldest female and male descendants in attendance. There were no deaths to report.

There were several births to report. Last year’s reunion chair, Pam Wojcinski-Edwards’s son Matthew and Crystal McAdoo had their second child, Maura Elizabeth on Nov. 22, 2015. Matthew is the grandson of the late Arthur and Esther Wojcinski; also, Melissa and Keith Olson of Falconer had a daughter, Aspen Helena Olson on Dec. 14, 2015. Melissa is the daughter of Pat and Alan LeBarron (12th grandchild) of Lodson, S.C. Also, Brayden Victor, son of James Berek and Kelsey Keogh, was born on Nov. 21, 2013; James is the son of Brian Berek, and grandson of Susan Lilley, and finally, Kathie Dean’s son Alex and Regina Dean, were greeted on Jan. 27 2014 with the birth of Lucas Killian Dean, and on March 22, 2016, the couple had twins: Kellan Michael and Kinsey Katherine Dean. They are the first set of twins in the Wojcinski family! Aspen, Lucas and the twins are all great-grandchildren of the late Bob and Helen Kittell, and Brayden is a great-great grandson of Bob and Helen.

Several weddings have taken place this past year. Jamestown residents Sue and Mike Weaver’s son Derek married Andrea Hutton of North Tonawanda on Aug. 29, 2015 and have purchased a home in New Jersey. Derek is the grandson of the late Arthur and Esther Wojcinski. Erie residents Rita and Ken Kucharski’s grandchildren had weddings. Haley Kucharski married Josh Briggs on Oct. 10, 2015, and one week later, Laura Polanski wed Mike Reidel on Oct. 17, 2015. Haley is the daughter of Paul Kucharski; Laura is the daughter of Maria Polanski and they are both the great-grandchildren of the late Virginia and Joseph Stempien.

Stony Woodard and Emily Sobilo will marry on Oct. 1; Stony is a Team Leader II at General Mills in Buffalo and Emily is a District Attorney for Chautauqua County. The couple recently purchased a home in Fredonia. Stony is the son of Lori and Winston Woodard of Cassadaga, and the grandson of the late Henry and Eleanor Wojcinski.

Engagement announcements included: Brian Wojcinski and Christy Butcher, who will marry next year in late summer or fall. Brian is the son of Bill and the late Cathy Wojcinski, grandson of the late Phil and Mary Ann Wojcinski. Keith Balzer and Debbie Evans will wed, but have no set date. Keith is the son of Janet and Ron Balzer and the grandson of the late Arthur and Esther Wojcinski. Mark DeGolyer and Damon Dylan have set the date Sept. 9. 2017 for their upcoming nuptials. Mark is the son of Karen Wojcinski of Dunkirk and the grandson of the late Henry and Eleanor Wojcinski. Finally, Kylie Adamowicz and Sean Topping have not set a date. Kylie is the daughter of Stacy and Joe Adamowicz and the granddaughter of Pat and Alan LeBarron.

Family members serving in the Armed Forces, but not in attendance: Michiah Wojcinski will be on full active duty out of Buffalo in October. Mikalena Wojcinski has graduated from the Sheriff’s Academy and is now working for Chautauqua County Sheriff’s department as an officer. Michiah and Mikalena are the children of Ken and Roseann Wojcinski, grandchildren of the late Arthur and Esther Wojcinski. Finally, US Air Force Staff Sergeant Alex Dean is currently stationed in Valdosta, Ga. at Fort Moody. In the past, he has been deployed to Bulgaria, the Azores, Estonia, as well as Portugal. Alex is the son of Kathy and the late Bruce Dean, grandson of the late Bob and Helen Kittell.

There were several graduations to report: Melanie Luciano, daughter of Pam Wojcinski-Edwards, recently graduated from SUNY Fredonia with a master’s degree in speech and language pathology. She has moved to the Syracuse area and is employed as a speech therapist at a retirement and assisted living facility. She is the granddaughter of Arthur and Esther Wojcinski. Lindsey Bauza, daughter of Karen Wojcinski, recently graduated from Fredonia State with an education degree and has been hired to work as a high school social studies teacher at Dunkirk High School. Alex Pieri, son of Molly Berg of Clarence, has graduated from Williamsville East High School and plans to attend UB in the fall. Lindsey and Alex are the grandchildren of the late Henry and Eleanor Wojcinski. Finally, Emily Berek graduated from Silver Creek High School and plans to attend Kent State University in Ohio in the fall. Emily is the daughter of Brian and Linda Berek, granddaughter of Susan Lilley and great granddaughter of the late Bob and Helen Kittell.

In other news, Mallory Wojcinski is once again participating in the 5K Walk for Roswell. This year, she and members of her family will be walking in honor of cousin, Ed Warren. Mal continues to be the top fundraiser for this event and is still collecting donations; checks or cash, please send your donation to her at: 11 N. Roberts Road, Dunkirk, N.Y., 14048. Also, Jacob Kucharski of Erie, son of Jason and Susan Kucharski of Erie, after a successful career as a hockey goalie at Cathedral Prep, competing in several state championships, was drafted by the Chicago Steel and will be playing for the Austin Bruins in Austin, Minn. He has also had several scholarship offers from D-1 schools.

Traveling furthest to attend this year’s reunion were Monica and Bob Benedict and sons Kyle and Blake of Twinsburg, Ohio. The first reservation was submitted by next year’s chair of the reunion committee, Connie Wojcinski. Alex Pieri was a double winner, partnering with his cousin Nicholas Koperczak to win the balloon toss competition and winning the “Guess the Number” candy game. Tom Zielinski won the “50/50” raffle and defending their title in the pinochle championship, repeating their winning ways again this year was the sister-team of Amy Koperczak and Lori Woodard.

Family members in attendance came from: Twinsburg, Erie, Campbell, N.Y. and various local areas of western New York.

The reunion committee for next year’s 50th consists of Connie and Bobek Wojcinski, Bill Wojcinski, Dave and Ann Warren and their respective families. Connie is already taking orders for 50th Wojcinski reunion t-shirts available for purchase. Check out the picture to see the design. For more information, see the Wojcinski Family Page on Facebook. Family members are encouraged to mark their calendars – they won’t want to miss it!

Additional news and pictures can be found at the Wojcinski Family Facebook page.