William A. Sluga

Mr. William A. Sluga, age 85, of Rt. 353, Salamanca, New York, died early Sunday afternoon, December 22, 2013 at his home following a long illness.

Born May 4, 1928, he was the son of the late Joseph and Frances Krajec Sluga. He was married June 20, 1959 at the former St. Patrick's Church, Salamanca, New York to the former Elizabeth Magara Sluga, who predeceased him November 9, 2013.

He was employed as an equipment operator for Cattaraugus County prior to his retirement. He had previously been a self-employed logger and an equipment operator for various gas companies and Rhodes Construction Company, teamsters local 17. In his early years, traveled with his mother to various logging camps where she worked as a cook.

William served in the United States Army from 1945-1947 and was stationed in Germany.

He was lifetime member of the Holy Cross Athletic Club.

Surviving are: 1 son, William "Billyjoe" J. Sluga, Salamanca, New York; 1 granddaughter, Jennifer (Cale) Benjamin, Kill Buck, New York; 3 great-grandchildren, Reese, Rylan and Rose Benjamin, all of Kill Buck, New York; 1 brother Rudolph "John" (Jean) Sluga, Randolph, New York; several nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by 5 sisters, Antonia Remington, Julia Rodgers, Frances Ostrander, Grace Bowley, Josephine Miller, and 3 brothers, Joseph Sluga, Edward Sluga, and Anthony Sluga.

Friends may call at the O'Rourke & O'Rourke Inc. Funeral Home, 25 River Street, Salamanca, New York on Thursday, December 26, 2013 from 4 -7 p.m.

Funeral services will be held in the funeral home on Friday at 11 a.m. with Rev. Patrick Melfi, pastor of Our Lady of Peace Parish, officiating.

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

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

In lieu of flowers, family suggests memorials to the donor's choice.

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