Rita Kucharski and Tom Zielinski are pictured at the reunion.

The 55th annual Wojcinski Family reunion took place on Sunday, Aug. 7 at Brooks Pavilion, Point Gratiot, Dunkirk. Connie and Bobek Wojcinski and family, Allison and Josh Richir, and Mallory Wojcinski hosted the event which had 48 people in attendance.

Dinner was held followed by the family meeting, which concluded with the singing of the “Wojcinski Reunion Song.” Updates and announcements were as follows:

Oldest living descendant: Joan (Griswold) Kaus, who turned 90 years old in July. Joan is the last living member of the 4th generation.

Oldest descendants in attendance: Rita (Stempien) Kucharski, of Erie, PA and Tom Zielinski of Van Buren, NY. Rita and Tom are both members of the 5th generation.

There were no deaths to report, in the year since the last reunion.

Births:

¯ Sept. 21, 2021 — Natalina Francesca Colletti (7th gen) – daughter of Christina and Michael Coletti, granddaughter of Diane and Joseph Ventresca of Buffalo.

¯ Jan. 17, 2022: Jacob Phillip Wojcinski (7th gen) – son of Brian Wojcinski and Stephanie Presto of Fredonia, grandson of Bill and the late Cathy Wojcinski of Dunkirk.

¯ Feb. 18, 2022: Colson James Briggs (8th gen) – son of Haley and Josh Briggs. Colson is the grandson of Paul Kucharski and great-grandson of Rita and Ken Kucharski, all of Erie, Pa.

¯ April 15, 2022: Connor Alan Richir (7th gen) – Connor is the son of Allison and Josh Richir of Fredonia and the grandson of Connie and Bobek Wojcinski of Dunkirk.

¯ June 8, 2022: Eleanor Joan Woodard (7th gen) – Eleanor is the daughter of Emily & Stony Woodard of Fredonia and granddaughter of Lori & Winston Woodard of Cassadaga.

Additional — Melanie and Andre Gasbarro are expecting in January 2023. Mel and Andre reside in Syracuse. Melanie is the daughter of Pam Wojcinski-Edwards of Dunkirk.

Marriages:

¯ March 29, 2022 – Blake Benedict to Mary Jones – Blake is the son of Monica and Bob Benedict, of Twinsburg, OH. Blake, a member of the U.S. Navy, has achieved the rank of CTR2 and was recently deployed for the next 10 months.

¯ Aug. 6, 2022 – Austin Koperczak to Jasmyn Goodsell – Austin is the son of Amy andLyle Koperczak of Campbell, NY. Together with his father, mother and brothers, he co-owns and operates the “Koperczak Dairy Farm” in Campbell, NY.

¯ Upcoming on Sept. 10, 2022 — Dylan Mlacker to Jillian Jackson. Dylan is the son of Missy Olson of Jamestown and is the grandson of Alan and the late Patricia LeBarron of Ladson, S.C. He and his fiance live in Frewsburg and own and operate “Kindred Creek” a “fainting goat” farm.

Engagements:

¯ Lauren Kaleta to Alex Dailey — Lauren is the daughter of John and Ruthanne Kaleta of Grand Island, NY. (Lauren is a pharmacist and lives in Sitka, Alaska.)

Graduations:

¯ Ikaika Wojcinski — graduated from Lew-Port HS – Ikaika got a BOCES Electrician/Electronics certificate and is pursuing full time work as an Electrician.

¯ Kahea Wojcinski — also graduated from Lew-Port HS – a year early! She continues to do incredible cake-decorating, and is currently employed at Tops in the Bakery.

Both Ikaika and Kahea are the children of Mark and Tani Wojcinski of Lewiston, grandchildren of Bill and the late Cathy Wojcinski of Dunkirk.

¯ Klara Richerson — graduated from CVCS high school with a Veterinary Assistant Certification and is currently working at Fredonia Animal Hospital, She is the daughter of Katrina and Craig Richerson of Stockton and the granddaughter of Roseann and the late Ken Wojcinski of Dunkirk.

¯ Alex Moon – graduated with an MS in Information Design and Technology from SUNY at Fredonia. Alex is the husband of Lindsey Moon of Fredonia and the son-in-law of Karen Wojcinski of Dunkirk.

Retirements:

¯ Diane Ventresca of Buffalo — retired from insurance; she held positions of VP of Operations and then Technology, Legal and Accounting Administrator. (Now babysitting granddaughter Natalina.)

¯ Winston Woodard Jr. — retired after 42 years in the field of accounting.

Other news:

¯ Kali Benedict — enrolled in a sonography program and is pursuing a degree.

¯ Kyle Benedict: joined his father and accepted a position with Rockwell Automation in January of 2022. He is a Field Support Engineer and is currently in attendance with his girlfriend Taylor.

Kali and Kyle are the children of Monica and Bob Benedict of Twinsburg, Ohio, and the grandchildren of Ken and Rita Kucharski of Erie, Pa.

¯ Paulette and Scott Cooke — moved to San Antonio, Texas, and are now closer to daughter Sarah and son-in-law Alex Wukman.

¯ Kaelyn Richerson — promoted to manager, and has bought a house with her boyfriend, Dylan. Kaelyn is the daughter of Katrina and Kraig Richerson of Stockton, and the granddaughter of Roseann and the late Ken Wojcinski of Dunkirk.

¯ Mallory Wojcinski has raised nearly $5,000 for Honor Flight of Buffalo. Mallory is the daughter of Connie and Bobek Wojcinski of Dunkirk.

¯ Leah Henry of Buffalo: recently took a position at ECMC as a DPT. She is the daughter of Lori & Winston Woodard of Cassadaga.

This year’s Pinochle tournament was won by the team of Connie and Bobek Wojcinski. The Egg Toss competition was won by the team of Winston Woodard and Stony Johnson. Nancy Somerfeldt Keithley was recognized for traveling the farthest (San Diego, CA).

Sharon and Jim Rosplock of Dunkirk were recognized for making the 1st reservation. A “White Elephant” sale took place and there were games and water activities for the children. Connie Wojcinski made and decorated the Reunion cake/cupcakes. The evening meal of hot dogs, corn on the cob and watermelon ended the day’s festivities. Thank you to all who helped and who attended and sent updates.

Next year’s reunion will be held the first Sunday in August 2023.