Donald Kasperek

Mr. Donald J. Kasperek, age 88, of Wilson Street, Salamanca, new York died Sunday, June 26, 2011 at The Pines of Olean.

Born on May 21, 1923 in Salamanca, New York he was the son of the late Charles and Rosalie Shinners Kasperek. He was married in Salamanca, New York on June 19, 1947 to the former Ella Wilcox who survives.

He was a veteran of the U.S. Army serving with the 836th Engineer Aviation Battalion in the South Pacific during WWII. He was awarded the Meritorious Unit Citation, Army of Occupation with Japan Clasp, Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal with 4 Bronze Stars, Good Conduct Medal, Philippine Liberation Ribbon with 1 Bronze Service Star, WWII Victory Medal, Philippine Presidential Unit Citation Badge, American Defense Service .

Mr. Kasperek was employed at ITT in New York City as an Manager of Production and Inventory Control. Previously, he had been employed as a Production Supervisor at Daystrom in Olean, New York and a Production Supervisor at Corning Glass in Bradford, PA, Raleigh, N.C. and Corporate Headquarters in Corning, New York

He was a member of Our Lady of Peace Church, the former St. Patrick's Church, The Lions Club in Salamanca where he served as past president, The American Legion Clarence Oliver Post #154 in Elmira Heights, New York, and he co-founded the Veterans of Foreign Wars John F. Ahrens Post #5296. He co-founded his army reunion which still meets annually and he co-founded American Production and Inventory Control Society.

Surviving besides his wife are: a daughter, Donna ( Ronald) Raahauge, Salamanca, New York; a son, Larry (Jean) Kasperek, Bay Village, Ohio; 4 grandchildren, Anya Williams, Minnesota, Caren Raahauge, Salamanca, New York, Matthew Kasperek, Molly Kasperek, both of Bay Village, Ohio; a great grandson, Jeremy Kasperek, Salamanca, New York

Friends may call at the O'Rourke & O'Rourke Inc. Funeral Home, 25 River Street, Salamanca, New York on Thursday from 3-4 P.M., at which time funeral services will be held with Rev. Patrick Melfi, pastor of Our Lady of Peace Parish, officiating.

A graveside service will be held on Friday morning, 9 a.m., in Calvary Cemetery, Salamanca, New York, with full military honors to be performed by members of the American Legion Hughes-Skiba Post #535 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars John F. Ahrens Post #5296.

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