Donald J. Kaminski, Sr.

Don attended Dunkirk High School and after graduation enlisted in the United States Air Force, where he served from 195356. He was stationed in South Korea, where he served as a radar operator. He received the National Defense Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal and the Korean War Medal.

He married his beloved wife of 59 years, Charlotte (George), on Oct. 12, 1957 and the couple was blessed with five children: Donald (Judy) Kaminski, Jr., Cheryl (Mark) Maturski, Darrell Kaminski, Susan (Richard) Hughes, and Tracie (Gerald Amyot) Lorenzo. He was also the proud grandfather of Michael Kaminski, Jessica (Christopher) Kapsiak, Jennifer Miller, Jacob Bode, Joshua Bode, Ryan (Jamie Nablo) Kaminski, Kevin (Kersten Mangindin) Kaminski, Amber (Curtis Zafuto) Shelley, Nicholas Shelley, Derek (Celena Velazquez) Lorenzo and Crystal Lorenzo. His great grandsons were also a very important part of his life: Aiden and Sebastian Shelley, Jackson and Wyatt Zafuto, and Nathan, Caleb and Zayden Kapsiak.

Don devoted his life to his family and found the most joy in the constant “drop in” visits from his children, grandchildren and greatgrandchildren. He was an avid reader as well as a devoted Bills and Yankees fan. He enjoyed the yearly trips to Las Vegas he took with his wife almost as much as he enjoyed holiday gatherings with the family.

Don worked at Great Lakes Color Printing for 34 years until the press closed in 1989, and also served as President of the union local. He spent the remainder of his working career as a sales agent for Combined Life Insurance. Don was a member and past twoterm commander of the American Legion Post 62 in Dunkirk and served as an usher at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church in Dunkirk for many years. Don also served on the Citizens Advisory Council, where he fought to bring the King Neptune statue back to the city. He also served as a volunteer for Literacy Volunteers of America.

In addition to his immediate family, Don is also survived by four sisters: Elaine Terese, Noama Gallagher, Gloria Pochylski, and Alicia (Dave) Stayman; sisterinlaw Christine (Jack) Jackino and many nieces, nephews and cousins, including his favorite extended family visitors, Amy and Paul McGavis and Tom DeJoe. He was preceded in death by two sisters: Joan K. Serafin and Ellen R. Kaminski.

Friends and family are invited to attend a Memorial Mass of Christian Burial on Saturday, July 29, at 11 a.m. at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church in Dunkirk, Rev. Dennis Riter officiating. Arrangements are by Newman Funeral Home in Dunkirk.