Obituary of Alexander Jekielek

Alexander Jekielek, Jr., age 76 of Lewiston, died Saturday September 13, 2014 in Mt. St. Mary's Hospital in Lewiston, after a lengthy illness. Alexander was born February 23, 1938 in Niagara Falls, NY, the son of the late Alexander and Irene (Sobieniak) Jekielek and was a 1955 graduate of Trott Vocational High School. He began a career with the former NY Telephone Company after his graduation. Alexander married Rita G. Stark on September 13, 1958 in Detroit, MI and they have resided in Lewiston since 1963. During the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1961, Alexander was called to active duty by the U. S. Army and served until he was honorably discharged in Aug of 1962. He retired from NYNEX as an Operations Manager after 37 years of service. Alexander was a past Commander and former member of American Legion Post 1083 in Lewiston, a member of the American Legion Post 1451 in Wheatfield; Past President ,Vice President, Chief and Assistant Chief of the Lewiston Volunteer Fire Co. #1; a past member of the NY State Association of Fire Chiefs; a past member of the Fire Association of the State of New York; and past treasurer and secretary of the Niagara County Fire Chiefs. He had also served on the Lewiston Planning Board for 10 years. Alexander was a communicant and former Usher of St. Peter's RC Church in Lewiston. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Rita; his children, Kathleen (Stephen) Cline, The Rev. Steven Jekielek, and Ann Barbaro; his grandchildren, Amanda and Timothy (Angela) Cline, Erica (Andrew) Smith, Ashlee, Heather, and Nicholas Barbaro; as well as several great grandchildren. He was predeceased by a brother, Gerald Jekielek. Friends may call at HARDISON FUNERAL HOME, N. Fourth & Ridge Streets, Lewiston on Monday from 2 - 4 and 7 - 9 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, September 16, at 10:30 AM in St. Peter's RC Church, 600 Center St., Lewiston, with the Rev. Steven Jekielek officiating.(Please assemble at Church). Entombment with Military Honors will follow in Gate Of Heaven Cemetery, Lewiston. Flowers are gratefully declined. Memorials may be made to the Lewiston Volunteer Fire Co. #1, 145 N. 6th St. P.O. Box 748, Lewiston, NY 14092 or to Christ The King Seminary, 711 Knox Rd., East Aurora, NY 14052.