Martin Zawatski

Martin “Bud/Pa-Watski” Zawatski, 95 of Salamanca, NY, died Monday morning, April 15, 2024 at Olean General Hospital following a lengthy life.

Born October 31, 1928 in Kill Buck, NY, he was the son of the late Andrew and Anna Brol Zawatski.

He attended Kill Buck School until he was needed to help with the Zawatski Homestead Farm, which was the site of an archaeological project for years. He made donations to the Salamanca Museum of Artifacts arrow heads that were discovered while living there, and was very instrumental in the Historical Grinding Stone which is now placed at the Seneca Iroquois National Museum.

He enlisted in the United States Army during WWII with the Second Armor Division’s Hell on Wheels, serving in the European Theatre.

Marty had been employed as a welder with the former B&O and Chessie System Railroads, Salamanca, NY for over forty years, retiring in 1993. He also worked as a home improvement contractor for many years, working in several homes throughout the Salamanca area.

He was a member of Our Lady of Peace Parish, Knights of Columbus 4th Degree, Olean, NY and Knights of Columbus 3rd Degree, Salamanca, NY. He will be remembered for working with other church volunteers on projects over the years. He was also a member of American Legion Hughes-Skiba Post 535, the Veterans of Foreign Wars John F. Ahrens Post 5296, the Holy Cross Athletic Club, and the RNC. He enjoyed spending time with his family and his Our Lady of Peace extended family.

Surviving are: two daughters, Darla (Eric) Rau, Scio, NY, Jody Zawatski Trummer, Salamanca, NY; two sons, Randy Quattrone, Little Valley, NY, Bruce (Terri) Quattrone, Laurel, MD; seven grandchildren; sixteen great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank Martin’s caregivers, Judy, Emily, Nancy, and Kim.

He was predeceased by his former companion, Mildred C. Quattrone, a sister, Victoria Derival, and six brothers, Adam, Andrew, Mike, Steve, Stan, and John Zawatski.

Friends may call at the O’Rourke & O’Rourke Inc. Funeral Home, 25 River Street, Salamanca, NY on Monday, April 22, 2024 from 11am – 1pm followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at Our Lady of Peace Parish, 274 Broad Street, Salamanca, NY at 1:30pm with Rev. Joseph Porpiglia, as celebrant.

Full military honors will be conducted by American Legion Hughes-Skiba Post 535 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars John F. Ahrens Post 5296 at church.

Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Salamanca, NY.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made to the Salamanca Rail Museum, 170 Main Street, Salamanca, NY, Meals on Wheels Program, Salamanca Historical Society, 125 Main Street, Salamanca, NY, or a charity of the donor’s choice.

E-condolences can be sent to orourke.orourkefh@gmail.com or posted to facebook.com/onofh.