Wojcinski Family Reunion gathers in Fredonia
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The 59th annual Wojcinski Family Reunion was held at the lower pavilion at Russell Joy Park on Sunday August 2, 2026, with 60 family members and friends in attendance.
Hosting the event, once again, were Connie and Bobek Wojcinski and family, daughter Allison and Josh Richir and daughter Mallory Wojcinski. Many thanks to Connie, Bobek, Mallory, Allison and Josh for their hard work and putting together another successful reunion.
The day began with soup and salad bar, along with fresh Wojcinski-made Polish sausage, scalloped potatoes, mock pierogi, bread/butter and homemade (Connie) reunion cake for dessert. After lunch, the annual update meeting transpired with a brief history of the Michael and Mary Wojcinski trip from Poland to New York City in 1881.
Meeting summary: Oldest living family descendants in attendance are Rita (Stempien) Kucharski, of Erie, PA and Thomas Zielinski of Van Buren. Each received a boutonniere to wear for the day. The youngest descendants in attendance were Rosalie Jean Henry and Connor Alan Richir. Rosie is the daughter of Leah (Woodard) and Ian Henry of Buffalo, and she is the granddaughter of Lori (Wojcinski) and Winston Woodard of Cassadaga. Connor is the son of Allison (Wojcinski) and Josh Richir of Brocton, NY and the grandson of Connie and Bobek Wojcinski of Dunkirk.
Monica (Kucharski) Benedict of Twinsburg, Ohio, was recognized as sending in the first reservation. Janet (Wojcinski) Balzer of Phoenix was recognized as travelling the farthest. Others travelling-far were: Paulette (Wojcinski) and Scott Cooke of San Antonio, TX and their daughter Sarah Cooke, who travelled from Houston. Reunion attendees came from Twinsburg, OH, Campbell, Welland, Ont., Lewiston, Erie, Pa., Buffalo area and the immediate local area.
A moment of silence and prayer was observed for the two immediate descendants who have passed away this year: David Paul Warren of Orchard Park, passed away on December 24, 2025 and from the Lawrence Wojcinski branch, Amanda Von Wryza of Buffalo, passed away on May 16, 2026.
Three births were noted in the past year: on March 6, 2026, Hudson Alan Thomas was born to Kaelyn (Richerson) and Dylan Thomas Kaelyn is the daughter of Katrina (Wojcinski) and Kraig Richerson of Stockton and Hudson is the great grandson of Rosann and the late Kenneth Wojcinski of Dunkirk. Hudson is the first member of the eighth generation of the Stanley and Helen Wojcinski branch of the family. On Dec. 30, 2025, Brooklyn Grace Mlacker was born to Dylan and Jillian Mlacker of Frewsburg. Brooklyn is the first grandchild of Melissa (LeBarron) and Keith Olson of Summerville, S.C. On Nov. 24, 2025, Emma Jo Koperczak was born to Austin and Jasmyn Koperczak of Savona. Emma is the granddaughter of Amy (Wojcinski) and Lyle Koperczak of Campbell.
-- Marriages: On June 27, 2026, Jacob Perry Kucharski married Kristen Parry. Jacob is the son of Jason and Susan Kucharski of Erie and the grandson of Rita (Stempien) and the late Kenneth Kucharski, also of Erie.
Blake Benedict has returned stateside from Japan and has recently purchased a home in Chesapeake, VA, continuing his tour of duty in the US Navy.
-- High School graduations: Carilene Sliwa, daughter of Brian Wojcinski and granddaughter of Bill and the late Cathy Wojcinski, graduated from Forestville High School and will be attending Gannon University (Erie PA) on a softball scholarship. Carilene holds many records during her athletic tenure at FHS and she plans to pursue a career in Nursing. Nash Bennett, son of Michelle (Zielinski) and Mark Bennett and grandson of Tom Zielinski, also graduated from High School and plans to follow in his father's and grandfather's footsteps and join the Fire Department in Colorado. Nash is training to be an EMT, will be working in a hospital ER for more experience and will join the fire department in 2027
-- Kindergarten graduations: There were two members of the family that completed Kindergarten this past June. Briar Marie Richir, daughter of Allison and Josh Richir and granddaughter of Bobek and Connie Wojcinski, and Katy Faye Koperczak, daughter of Jared and Jaclyn Koperczak of Campbell and granddaughter of Amy and Lyle Koperczak of Campbell. The family meeting concluded with the annual traditional singing of the "Wojcinski Reunion Song." Following the meeting, a “White Elephant” sale was held, with Erik Berg as the Master of Ceremonies and Mallory Wojcinski assisting.
The Egg Toss championship was claimed by the brothers Mark and Brian Wojcinski. Mark was a double champion as he and his wife, Tani won the Washoo tournament. Due to time constraints, there was no Pinochle tournament this year.
The day concluded with an evening meal consisting of hot dogs, corn on the cob, watermelon and brownies. Next year's reunion, the 60th will take place on the first Sunday in August at a location TBD.