Obituary of Paul J. Makowiec

MAKOWIEC, Paul J. Age 88 of Elmira, NY. He was born May 8, 1924 in Elmira, son of the late Stanley and Mary (Kiczek) Makowiec and passed away Thursday, October 11, 2012 at the Arnot Ogden Medical Center surrounded by his family. He was predeceased by his wife Gwendolyn on June 18, 1997, 4 brothers and 4 sisters. He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law Karen and Dr. Dino D'Onofrio of Webster, NY; son and daughter-in-law Martin and Patricia Makowiec of Elmira; grandchildren Kristen D'Onofrio of Webster, NY, Shelby and Thomas Makowiec of Elmira; great grandson Jayden of Elmira; sisters Theresa Hurley of Elmira and Loretta Deats of Horseheads; several nieces and nephews; dear friends George McGrain, Claire Bixby, many bowling and golfing buddies and the morning coffee group at McDonald's. He will be sadly missed but forever remembered by all who knew him. Paul was truly a loving and caring husband, wonderful father, grandfather and great grandfather. Paul retired from GE with 33 years of service. He was a communicant of St. Casimir's Church where he served as an usher, volunteered at St. Casimir's Recreation Club for 33 years, most notably at bingo. As a veteran of WWII, he was on the first boat to land in France at Cherbourg Port and served in the Battle of the Bulge. He was a member of the American Legion Post 154. Paul was an accomplished bowler, at age 82 he bowled a 300 game with an 823 series. At that time he was first in the state and fourth in the country for his age group to chieve this accomplishment. He was past president of the Elmira Bowling Assoc., member of the Elmira Bowling Assoc. Hall of Fame and served as secretary of many bowling leagues. He was head of the Youth Bowling League at Rossi Lanes, and worked the counter there for 20 years after his retirement. He was a member of the Elmira Sports Hall of Fame (softball), member of the PNA and the White Eagles Club where he also served as Secretary/Treasurer and volunteered for many years. An avid golfer, Paul played in the White Eagles Adult Golf League at the Mark Twain Golf Course and the GE Golf League. Family and friends are invited to visit Walter J. Kent Funeral Home, 858 Lake St. at Washington Ave., Elmira on Sunday, October 14th from 4 to 7 pm. Prayers will be offered there on Monday, October 15th at 10:30 am, followed by his Mass of Christian Burial at 11 am in St. Casimir's Church. Rev. Scott Kubinski, Celebrant. Committal prayers and interment with military honors will follow in Woodlawn National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, those wishing may remember Paul through donations to the White Eagles Club Building Fund, 364 Millard St., Elmira, NY 14901.