William J. Hojnacki

Born in East Eden January 6, 1931 the son of William F. and Anna C. ( Kaminski) Hojnacki.

He served as a proud Sargent of the U. S. Marine Corp. Veteran during the Korean War. Upon his honorable discharge in 1954 he married Margaret E. Mowry at the former St. Joan of Arc Roman Catholic Church in Perrysburg. They were married November 20, 1954.

William retired from the former Bethlehem Steel Corporation in Lackawanna. He retired as a Mechanical Foreman. He worked for Bethlehem for 30 years.

William enjoyed wood-working. Metalworking and raising animals on the family farm. Bill enjoyed his family and was a consistent role model to his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Survivors include his wife Margaret of nearly 67 years, their children; Mark (Paula Schueler) Hojnacki of Gowanda, Sharon (Gary) Schmitt of Eden, Sandra (Michael) Ponczkowski of Jamestown, Mary (Warren) Dickinson of Otto and Donna Friedman of Lakeview. Thirteen grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren also survive as does a sister Emily (late John) Duda of Eden, Bernice (late Joe) Stachiewicz of Buffalo along with several nieces and nephews.

Besides his parents William was preceded in death by a granddaughter Frances Margaret Ponczkowski, a great grandson Carson Dickinson, brothers; Louis Hojnacki, Edward Hojnacki, sisters; Helen (Joseph) Sheldon, Mary (Earl) Banaziak, Ann (Robert) Brueggeman and Florence (James) Smith .

Williams memberships included; St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church in Gowanda where he was an usher for many years. He was a Life Member of the James Cruden VFW Post 5007 in Gowanda where William served many years on the Clubs Board of Directors. Bill was also a Life member of the South Dayton American Legion Post 1593 and a Life member of the Slovenian Club of Gowanda. He Served on the Town of Persia Planning Board, was a member of the Cattaraugus County Farm Bureau and the United Steel Workers.

A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial with full military honors will be held Saturday, June 19, 2021 at 11 a.m. from St. Joseph’s RC Church East Main Street Gowanda . Interment will be in the Park Lawn Cemetery, Wesley, NY.

If desired, memorials may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hosp. C/O (Memorial Giving , 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tenn. 38105) or to the Shriners Hospital C/O (2900 Rocky Point Dr. Tampa, Fla. 33607)

Arrangements are by the SCHINDLER FUNERAL HOME 44 Center St. Gowanda.