James J. Wisniewski

Born at home on Mother’s Day in Dunkirk, NY on May 8, 1937, Jim was the son of the late Edward and Anna (Zwolak) Wisniewski.

A lifelong Dunkirk resident, Jim grew up in the Fourth Ward on Doughty Street graduating from St. Hedwig’s Catholic School and then from Dunkirk Industrial High School Class of 1955. He, along with his family, moved to the other side of the tracks to the First Ward on the corner of Lake Shore Dr East and North Martin Street, where they opened Cherry’s Sweet Shop. Jim worked the counter for years making sodas and sundaes. That is where he met the love of his life, Carolyn (Hoth) Wisniewski. He enticed her with his Lemon Blends and conversation, while making sure to send her three doors, up the block, to her family home with a special made sundae for her mother each night. He won Carolyn’s heart with his ice cream loving skills after their first date to Carolyn’s Senior Prom. They were married at St. Hyacinth Church on June 6, 1964. Jim and Carolyn were married for 57 years, before Carolyn’s passing on September 14, 2021. As Jim always said, he was Carolyn’s heart, but Carolyn was his life.

As a teenager, Jim helped his Dad, Edward and brothers in the family plastering business, Ed Cherry and Sons. He learned a lot, but really disliked having to fetch the cold water from the creeks in order for the guys to make the plaster.

Jim was an excellent athlete growing up who enjoyed hunting, especially fox and playing sports, especially basketball and softball. He won many sports trophies and awards. He was really proud of pitching a no hitter against the Koch’s All Star Team and rolling a 299 series in bowling that got him so excited that he was shaking like a leaf so hard he almost dropped his bowling ball on his foot. Jim was very proud of his 17 years as a basketball referee in Chautauqua County with his biggest career highlight being called out of the stands to sub in as a ref for the big Dunkirk-Fredonia rivalry game, when the assigned referee broke his ankle during the game.

Jim enlisted in the Army, was stationed in Oklahoma, and became a surveyor. His math skills stayed really sharp to the point he would challenge his grandchildren later in life, in their math homework saying, “I’ll do it the old way, you do it the new way and I bet I get it right before you do!” Jim would always tell his story of disappointment that three times he shipped out on boats to go to war, just to be stopped and turned around. He loved his country and served his country with pride and honor.

Jim returned from the Service and went to work at True Temper assembling shovels in Dunkirk. He worked there for 32 years before the plant closed in 1987. Jim went on to work computer data entry at Red Wing, bartended at the Kosciuszko Polish Home, and then worked in sanitization at Carriage House in Fredonia.

Jim was a member of several organizations, clubs, and groups that included Blessed Mary Angela Parish Church of St. Hyacinth. He was a very strong, practicing Catholic and a fixture at mass in the front pew. Jim was a true believer in the Divine Mercy, holding close the words, “Jesus I Trust in Thee!” He was a past member of St. Hedwig Church, served on the Dunkirk Recreation Commission, Board of St. Joseph School for Exceptional Children, a life member of the First Ward Falcon Club, a past member, officer, and president of the Kosciuszko Polish Home, past member of the Moniuszko Club, a ballot counter for local elections, a drum line member of the Murray Hose 4 Drum and Bugle Corp where he experienced the biggest thrill of his life of being directly saluted to, eye to eye, by President John F. Kennedy, and a member of the Patriots Drum Corp playing symbols.

Jim had a quiet, but strong willed nature and constitution that proved to be an asset throughout his 88 years. He was a real “newsie” who loved to consume knowledge of all kinds from various news outlets. He enjoyed reading the local newspaper, his word search books, cowboy western movies, and watching wild animal nature programs. He was a sports enthusiast and loved the Buffalo Bills. He brought his daughters up as true Bills fans, as well as his nephew, Randie, taking them to the Buffalo Bills Training Camp almost daily, year after year when it was at Fredonia State. He never missed watching a game. Jim got a thrill out of following his grandchildren’s sporting events and went to practically every track, softball, baseball, basketball, flag football, and football cheerleading games. One of his greatest thrills was being his grandchildren’s assistant baseball coach at NCCS. His knowledge of sports was incredible. Jim especially loved listening to music of all kinds especially Polkas and the live music in the summer at outdoor venues at the Pier and the Point.

Jim was a brave, kind, gentle, caring, and thoughtful person. He was an excellent father to his two daughters, Kimberly and Tamara. He had a presence about him that gave them peace and stability that kept them anchored. His greatest pride came from his grandchildren, Noah and Myah. He was an integral part of their lives and he was the best father figure and role model. He absolutely loved them and told them, even to his last how much he loved them. His legacy will last long because of his fatherly nurturing and compassionate heart that he helped build them into the young adults they are. He was so very proud of them.

Jim is survived by his devoted daughter and sidekick, Tamara Wisniewski Benjamin, and his precious grandchildren, Noah and Myah Benjamin, all of Dunkirk, NY. He is also survived by his special brother, Joseph and Pauline Wisniewski of Dunkirk; his loving sister, Mary Ann and Don Dawson of Ohio; his caring sister in law, Diane Pulvino of Erie; and his brother in law, David and Anita Hoth of California. He is further survived by his beloved nieces, Rennae (Joseph) DiRaimo and Julie (Jefforey) Williams; and his wonderfully supportive nieces and nephews: Randall (Aimy) Odebralski of Texas; Jodie Bollman of AZ; Dan (Anne) Cherry of Fredonia; Carol (Kevin) Ahlstrom of Dunkirk; Brenda (Fernando) Altamirano and Brian of Fredonia; Donna and Julia Hill of Dunkirk; Lynn DiRienzo of Buffalo; his Michigan cousins; and several other special nieces, nephews, and cousins that span the United States in his large extended family.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Anna Wisniewski; his wife, the love of his life, Carolyn Wisniewski, who passed away on Sept. 14, 2021; his precious and most loving daughter, Kimberly Wisniewski, who passed away on Oct. 7, 2020; his brother and wife, Edward and Jenny Wisniewski; his brother and wife, Norman and Pauline Cherry; mother in law, Evelyn Hoth; sister in law and brother in law, Nancy and Ronald Odebralski; and several dear aunts, uncles, cousins, niece and nephew.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Memorial Mass to be celebrated at Blessed Mary Angela Parish Church of St. Hyacinth at 295 Lake Shore Drive East in Dunkirk on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026 at 10 am, celebrated by the Rev. Father Michael Parker. The family will be present at the church one hour before mass starting at 9 am. A Divine Mercy Chaplet will be recited before the mass at 9:45 am. Internment will be in St. Hyacinth Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Kloecker Funeral Home in Erie, PA or a charity of one’s choice.

Arrangements are gratefully entrusted to the Francis V. Kloecker Funeral Home, Inc. 2502 Sassafras Street, Erie, PA 16502.