Rita Kucharski of Erie, Pa., and Tom Zielinski of Van Buren were the oldest descendants in attendance at the 56th Wojcinski Family reunion.

The 56th annual Wojcinski family reunion took place on Aug. 6 at the Brooks Pavilion, Point Gratiot, Dunkirk. Connie and Bobek Wojcinski and family, Allison and Josh Richir, and Mallory Wojcinski hosted the event which had 45 people in attendance.

Dinner was held along with 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, of Fairfax, Va., who turned 91 years old in July. Joan is the last living member of the fourth generation and is a member of the Sophie (Wojcinski) and Albert Griswold branch of the family.

¯ Oldest descendants in attendance: Rita (Stempien) Kucharski, of Erie, Pa., and Tom Zielinski of Van Buren. Rita and Tom are both members of the fifth generation.

¯ Loss of one family member: Ken Kucharski, a longtime reunion attendee, passed away on Dec. 18, 2022. Ken’s wife, Rita (Stempien) Kucharski was in attendance, along with her daughter, Monica Benedict, husband Bob, son Kyle Benedict and daughter Kali. A moment of silence was observed for Ken and all the members of the family who have passed.

Wojcinski Family members welcomed Diane (Marczak) and Joseph Ventresca to this year’s reunion, representing the Stephan and Catherine (Rutkowski) Wojcinski branch of the family. Diane, the daughter of the late Natalie (Wojcinski) Marczak provided updated information for that branch of the family, in addition to the Lawrence (brother of Michael) Wojcinski branch of the family. She also shared many wonderful pictures of ancestors and we hope this is the first of many more reunions for the Ventrescas!

Births:

¯ Arthur Andre Gasbarro to Melanie and Andre Gasbarro of Pittsburgh on Dec. 29, 2022. Arthur is the grandson of Pamela Wojcinski-Edwards, of Dunkirk.

¯ Henry Lewyn Oppenheim on Dec. 7, 2022 to Kyle and Grace Oppenheim. Kyle is the son of Susan (Kaus) and Charles Oppenheim and the grandson of Joan and Norbert Kaus,

¯ Expecting — Tracy and Nicholas Bloch are expecting a boy in October. Tracy is the daughter of Natalie (Wojcinski) and Tim Frank of Florida. This will be Natalies’s first grandchild. Expecting a girl in February are Leah (Woodard) and Ian Henry of Buffalo. This will be the third grandchild for Lori (Wojcinski) and Winston Woodard of Cassadaga.

Marriages:

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

¯ July8 — Lauren Kaleta to Alex Dailey in Sitka, Alaska. Lauren is the daughter of John and Ruthanne Kaleta of Grand Island and the granddaughter of the late Shirley (Kittell) and Steven Kaleta.

Engagement:

¯ Kaelyn Richerson to Dylan Thomas. A September 2024 wedding is being planned for Kaelyn, daughter of Katrina (Wojcinski) and Kraig Richerson of Stockton. Kaelyn is the granddaughter of Roseann and the late Ken Wojcinski of Dunkirk.

Graduation:

¯ Zeah Wojcinski graduated from Fredonia High School and plans to attend the University of Buffalo in the fall, pursuing a Master’s degree in their 5-year Social Studies/History Adolescent Education program. Zeah is the daughter of Michiah and Jaclyn Wojcinski of Fredonia. Zeah is the granddaughter of Roseann and the late Ken Wojcinski.

Other news:

¯ Kyle Benedict turns 30 on Sept. 15 (same day as his Grandfather Ken’s birthday) and Kali Benedict will graduate in May 2024 from Lorraine Community College with a degree in Sonography. Kali and Kyle are the children of Monica and Bob Benedict of Twinsburg, Ohio, and the grandchildren of Rita and the late Ken Kucharski of Erie, PA.

¯ Mallory Wojcinski competed in Special Olympic Softball for the first time this summer and medaled. Mallory is the daughter of Connie and Bobek Wojcinski of Dunkirk.

¯ Tani Wojcinski’s CurvyGirlWeightLoss.com business continues to succeed and grow, and husband Mark Wojcinski, a financial adviser for Pathway Partners Wealth Advisors provided drink koozies for all family members in attendance.

This year’s Pinochle tournament was won by the team of Bob Benedict and Winston Woodard, who narrowly defeated last year’s champs, Connie and Bobek Wojcinski. The Balloon Toss champions were the Wojo Brothers, Mark and Brian Wojcinski.

The “contested” Egg Toss competition was also won by the Wojo Brothers, Mark and Brian Wojcinski. Sharon (Zielinski) and Jim Rosplock of Dunkirk were recognized for making the first reservation and the Benedicts from Twinsburg, OH were recognized as traveling the farthest. A “White Elephant” sale took place and there were games and water activities for the children. Connie Wojcinski made and decorated the Reunion cake. The evening meal of hot dogs, corn on the cob and brownies ended the day’s festivities.