Joey Allen Wdowiasz

He was born Aug. 11, 1943 in Dunkirk, the son of Frances (Lanski) Wdowiasz of Dunkirk and the late Joseph Wdowiasz.

Joey graduated from Dunkirk High School, Class of 1961. He had been employed as a manager for Bentley and Renckens Dairy and also worked at Alumax Extrusions, Inc.

He was best known as the “Legendary Joey Allen” (lead vocalist and saxophone) for the years his band played at the Rainbow Inn, Town and Country, and Rusch’s. The “Joey Allen Combo” was the first band to play at the Dunkirk Pier for the Fourth of July fireworks, and also performed in the grandstand at the Chautauqua County Fairgrounds. The band also went on a nationwide tour, where they were well-received by audiences in several different states.

A parishioner of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, Joey enjoyed coaching midget league football, little league and Babe Ruth baseball, and fishing with his family. He played, coached, and sponsored City league softball. Music was his passion, but nothing meant more to him than his family.

Besides his mother, he is survived by his wife, Jean (Giacchino) Wdowiasz, whom he married March 4, 1977; seven children, Lisa (Tony) Nasca of Fredonia, Joey T. Wdowiasz of Brocton, Renee (Steven) Buffa of Hamburg, Timothy Wdowiasz of Dunkirk, Kelley (Darren) Kazmierczak of South Carolina, William Wdowiasz of Dunkirk, and Jayme (Mark) Delcamp of Fredonia; one brother, Jerry Wdowiasz of Dunkirk; one sister, Sharon (Dan) Snyder of Dunkirk; 14 grandchildren, Carley, Torrie, Valeri, Sam, Claire, Gwen, Lydia, Reid, Gracie, Ashlynn, Anna, Trevin, Craig, and Dennis; and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by his daughter, Jody L. Wdowiasz.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial which will be celebrated Friday morning at 11 o’clock in St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church. Calling hours will be held today from 3-7 p.m. at the McGraw-Kowal Funeral Home. Entombment will be in the Pieta Mausoleum of St. Mary’s Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Chautauqua Hospice and Palliative Care, 20 W. Fairmount Avenue, Lakewood, NY 14750 or the American Heart Association, P.O. Box 417005, Boston, MA 02241-7005.