Reverend John B. Binkiwitz Jr.

John accepted the call into the ministry while in high school. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Barrington College in 1963. He completed his Bachelor of Divinity Degree from Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1966 and was ordained on July 16, 1966 in Bridgeport, Conn.

Reverend John began his over 50 year ministry as a youth pastor at the Haddonfield, New Jersey Baptist Church. In 1969, he became pastor of the Odessa and Watkins Glen, NY Baptist Churches. In 1979 he moved his family to Fredonia to become pastor of the Fredonia Baptist Church. He then served as pastor of St John’s United Church of Christ in Dunkirk. His last 15 years of ministering before retirement was at the Union Road Community Church of Christ in Cheektowaga, NY. Despite the distance to travel, the congregation became his second family.

He always enjoyed performing weddings, especially those of his children and grandchildren. He owned and operated The Village Motel in Fredonia for many years and Waltz Sporting Goods for a short time. He enjoyed “signing in” at The Beaver Club and was a past member of the Moose Club, Conservation Club, Kosciusko Club and Falcons Club.

Binki had a love of sports. He lettered in baseball and soccer throughout high school, college and seminary. He played Racquetball, bowled and liked to go to the gym. But the sport he loved playing the most was golf. He won many titles and trophies and made lifelong friends, including “Bunky” Stuczynski. He loved baseball and football. He was a lifelong Yankees fan, beginning from when his father took him to games at Yankee Stadium when he was young. He was a HUGE Buffalo Bills fan. You would be hard pressed to find a bigger fan. He held season tickets, was always sporting Bills attire, and everyone knew when Binki entered the room because he was always yelling “GO BILLS”. He was always waiting for that Super Bowl win. The only thing he loved more than golf and the Buffalo Bills, was his family!

John married Barbara (Brown) Binkiwitz on Sept. 2, 1966. Together they raised six children: Philip (Linda); Pamela (Jeff); Steven (Jovelyn); Sara; Stephanie (deceased); David (deceased), and cared for many, many foster babies. He has seven grandchildren: Allison (Tyler); Marissa (Tom); Adam (Leigha); Breanne; Janie; Mary; and Melissa. He cared deeply for his family, was supportive of all they did and took great pride in them. His favorite time was when all of the family was together, at the beach, on holidays, a picnic, or cheering for the Bills.

He is survived by one brother, William (Betty) Binkiwitz of Foxborough, Ma. and predeceased by two sisters, Carol Jennings and Helen Monahan.

Calling hours will be held at McGraw-Kowal Funeral Home, 736 Central Ave., Dunkirk, NY, on Saturday, Nov.1, 2025 from 1 pm to 4 pm followed by a short service. A celebration of life will be held next summer per his wishes.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Union Road Christ Community Church, 2628 Union Road, Cheektowaga, NY 14227, in Reverend John’s name.

GO BILLS! Win a Super Bowl for Binki!