Leroy L. Pond Jr.

Mr. Leroy L. Pond Jr., 65, of Salamanca, NY died Friday afternoon, March 29, 2019 at the Erie County Medical Center, Buffalo, NY following a short illness.

Born May 16, 1953 in Salamanca, NY, he was the son of the late Leroy L. Pond Sr. and Shirley (Jack) Crist O’Neil. He was married on October 23, 1971 at the former Holy Cross Church to the former Barbara Kochaniec, who survives.

He was a graduate of Salamanca High School, Class of 1971.

Mr. Pond had been employed for over ten years at the New York State Department of Transportation in Salamanca, NY, retiring in 2016. He had also owned and operated Pond Trucking for many years.

He enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren. He was a car enthusiast and a professional car restorer. His restoration of a 1959 Chevrolet Impala won the Antique Automobile Club of America Grand National Award in 1990. He also liked spending time at the family camp.

Surviving besides his wife are: a son, Leroy (Wendy) Pond III, Eden, NY; a daughter, Valerie (David) White, Eden, NY; five grandchildren, Jocelyn Pond, Leroy Pond IV, Rhys Pond, David White Jr, Noah White, all of Eden, NY; a sister, Julie (Dave) Hamacher, Salamanca, NY; a brother, Jeffrey (Beverly) Pond, Salamanca, NY; two sister-in-laws, Betty Kochaniec, Mary Jane Eddy, both of FL; a brother-in-law, Jim (Diane) Kochaneic, Salamanca, NY ; several stepsisters a stepbrother and several nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by a brother and sister-in-law, Michael (Michele) Ambuske, two stepsisters, Donna Creeley, and Carol Winkleman.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the American Legion Hughes-Skiba Post 535, 67 Wildwood Avenue, Salamanca, NY on Saturday, October 26, 2019 at 1 pm.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the O’Rourke & O’Rourke Inc Funeral Home, 25 River Street, Salamanca, NY.

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