Obituary of Edward Paul Feigenbaum, I

Edward Paul Feigenbaum, I, age 90 of Wilson, died Friday July 19, 2013 in the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Buffalo, after a brief illness.. Paul was born August 1, 1922 in Niagara Falls, NY, the son of the late Frederick and Winifred (Toy) Feigenbaum. He graduated from Sacred Heart School, St. Mary's High School and was attending Niagara University at the onset of WW II. Paul enlisted in the U.S. Army in October of 1942 and served in the 3rd Ranger Battalion of the famed Darby's Rangers" in the European/Mediterranean Theater of Operations. He took part in the Invasion of Sicily, the Invasion of Italy, and the Landing at Anzio. Paul had charge of a combat Infantry squad, engaging the enemy in close combat and leading his squad into enemy territory on recon and combat patrols. Paul was captured and served time as a POW before escaping from a prison train and returning to active duty. While imprisoned, Paul and his fellow prisoners came to realize that "Choice and free will and the ability to decide on ones own is what freedom is all about. We were survivors." He was the recipient of the EAME Ribbon, the Distinguished Unit Badge, the Combat Infantry Badge, and the Good Conduct Medal. Paul was honorably discharged with the rank of Corporal in October of 1945. After his discharge Paul completed his studies at Niagara University and received his Bachelor's degree. He worked for Moore Business Forms, Inc. and in 1963 began his career at Airco Carbon, Inc. in Niagara Falls, NY. Paul retired as a Supervisor in 1988. Paul was a member and Past Commander of the Western NY Chapter of American Ex Prisoners of War; a member of V.F.W. Downriver Post #7487 in Lewiston; and was also very active in Scouting with Troop # 67 in Wilson. In 2012 Paul was presented with the Honor of "Home Town Hero" by the Wilson Lion's Club. He was also a communicant of St. Brendan on the Lake RC Church in Wilson. In 1963 Paul married Leocadia A. (Listek) Feigenbaum at St. Stanislaus Kostka Church in Niagara Falls. He and his family moved to Wilson in 1972. Leocadia predeceased him on October 4, 2006. He is survived by two sons, Michael (Debbie) Feigenbaum of Federal Way, WA and Edward (Erlinda) Feigenbaum, II, Lt. Col., US Army, Retired of San Antonio, TX; a daughter, Catherine Mahar of Lewiston who referred to him as "my survivor"; his grandchildren, Troy, Lindsey, Zachary, Ashley, Samantha, and Emmett; and a sister, Katherine Rotella of Niagara Falls, NY and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by three sisters, Anna Marie Barnes, Alice Byrne, and Mary Coyne and a brother, Frederick Feigenbaum. Friends may call at HARDISON FUNERAL HOME, 3648 Ransomville Road, Ransomville on Wednesday from 2 - 4 and 7 - 9 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, July 25, at 11:00 AM in St. Brendan on the Lake RC Church, 345 Lake St. Wilson, with the Rev. Jozef Dudzik and the Rev. Daniel Young officiating. (Please assemble at Church) Military Honors will follow the Mass. Interment in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Lewiston will be private. Following the Mass all are welcome to the Wilson House for a luncheon and fellowship. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Wilson Volunteer Fire Co. Ambulance Fund, P.O. Box 609, Wilson, NY 14172.