Charlotte A. Kaminski

Charlotte A. Kaminski (nee George), beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother, went to heaven July 3, 2019, to be with her soulmate, Donald J. Kaminski Sr., who left this world on July 6, 2017, to prepare a place for them to watch over their family. She was 81 years old.

Charlotte graduated from North Collins High School before moving to Dunkirk and meeting the love of her life. The couple spent more than 60 years together, marrying on Oct. 12, 1957 in Dunkirk, and raised 5 children who adored them both: Donald Kaminski Jr. of Dunkirk, Cheryl (Mark) Maturski of Cheektowaga, Darrell Kaminski (Heather Langdon) of Buffalo, Susan (Richard) Hughes of Forestville, and Tracie Lorenzo (Gerald Amyot) of Grand Island.

Charlotte was a second mom to many of her children’s friends growing up and was known for her homemade pizza and chicken wings whenever there was a crew around, which was often.

For the majority of her work career, Charlotte worked at Red Wing, Dunkirk Ice Cream, and Alumax Extrusions, where she retired as the sales department secretary when the company closed its doors in Dunkirk. After retirement, she continued her passion for watching over children, providing day care in her home and then working in the cafeteria at Dunkirk High School where she loved seeing the students every day, many of whom she knew by name, and watching the success they found as they grew into adults.

Nothing brought a bigger smile to her face than seeing her 11 grandchildren and their families: Amber (Curtis Zafuto) Shelley, Jackson and Wyatt Zafuto; Jacob Bode; Ryan Kaminski (Jaime Nablo); Nicholas (Kristina) Shelley, Aiden and Sebastian Shelley; Joshua Bode; Kevin Kaminski (Kersten Mangindin); Michael Kaminski; Derek (Celena) Lorenzo; Crystal Lorenzo; Jessica Kapsiak, Caleb and Zayden Kapsiak; and Jennifer Miller. Her sister, Christine (Jack) Jackino was her lifelong best friend.

Charlotte was the family therapist, tailor, baker, chef, party host and most importantly, the foundation that kept the family together, loved, and well fed. Raising a large, close-knit family was the lifelong goal and greatest joy for Donald and Charlotte. Mission accomplished.

Charlotte will be deeply missed by the entire family and everyone who was fortunate enough to be greeted by her big smile and warm heart. A memorial service and celebration of life is planned for Aug. 10, 2019.