Leo Shonitsky Sr.

Leo Shonitsky Sr., 98, of Tonawanda, New York died unexpectedly Sunday, January 24, 2016 at Sisters of Charity Hospital, Buffalo, New York.

Born April 19, 1917 in Great Valley, New York, he was the son of the late Nicholas and Mary Shonitsky. He was married on November 28, 1946 to the former Marguerite “Marge” Laieski, who predeceased him on October 17, 1999.

He was a veteran of the United States Army Air Corp, serving with the 370 Fighter Squadron in the European Theatre during World War II. He was awarded the American Defense Service Medal, Distinguished Unit Badge, European-African-Middle Eastern Service Medal, and the Good Conduct Medal.

Mr. Shonitsky had been employed as an inspector and motor tester for General Motors at the Tonawanda Motor Plant in Tonawanda for 38 years prior to his retirement in 1980.

He was a member of the St. Amelia Church in Tonawanda and the UAW Local 774 in Buffalo.

Surviving are: two sons, Leo R. (Kathleen L.) Shonitsky Jr., Gary (Marsha) Shonitsky, both of Grand Island, NY; two grandsons, Thomas (Melissa) Shonitsky, Ansbach, Germany, Andrew (Ava-Marie) Shonitsky, Cheektowaga, NY; a granddaughter, Margaret Shonitsky, Niagara Falls, NY; four great-grandchildren, Lukas and Zackary Shonitsky, both of Cheektowaga, NY, Brayden and Bella Abbott, both of Niagara Falls, NY.

Friends may call at the O’Rourke & O’Rourke Inc Funeral Home, 25 River Street, Salamanca, New York on Wednesday, January 27, from 4 – 7 p.m. and on Thursday, January 28, from 10 – 10:30 a.m., at which time a prayer service will be held followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in Our Lady of Peace Parish at 11 a.m., with Rev. Peter Napierkowski, pastor, as celebrant.

Full military honors will be conducted by members of the American Legion Hughes-Skiba Post #535 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars #5296.

Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Salamanca, New York.

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