Thomas P. Boryczka, 81, passed away Saturday (Jan. 16, 2021) at the Chautauqua Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Dunkirk after a lengthy battle with Parkinson’s Disease.
He was born on April 21, 1939, the son of the late Frank and Shirley Boryczka.
Tom attended Cardinal Mindszenty High School in Dunkirk. He married Carol Mekus in 1960.
Tom and Carol moved to Batavia in 1966 where they raised their family.
Tom worked at Trojan, Batavia Downs, and retired from Eastman Kodak.
He also served in the National Guard and was an active member of the Batavia Volunteer Fire Department for more than 20 years.
Tom’s first joy was spending time with his family. He was an avid sports fan and loved watching the Yankees, Bills and the Sabres with his family. He enjoyed woodworking and created items for his wife’s business, Designs by Carol.
Above all else, he was devoted to his children and his grandchildren.
He will be deeply missed by them all.
Survivors include his children, Cheryl Valentine of Batavia, Deborah (Jeffrey) Westling of Dunkirk and Thomas (Sandra) Boryczka of Elba; and his sister, Gail Riforgiat of Portland.
His grandchildren, who were the light of his life, include Jeffrey (Carry) Houseknecht of Batavia, Charles (Cameron) Houseknecht of Lake Wales, Florida, Amanda (Jack) O’Brien of Buffalo, Brett Westling of Dunkirk, Bradley Bo (Aleyna Szot) Westling of Fredonia, Ashley (Joseph) Maier of Spanaway, Washington, and Jennifer Boryczka of Amherst, Massachusetts. He is also survived by three great grandchildren, Zach, Lily, and William, along with several nieces and nephews.
Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Carol Boryczka.
A private family funeral Mass will be celebrated at Holy Trinity Church, Dunkirk. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to School 5 Library Fund, 117 Brigham Road, Dunkirk, N.Y. 14048. Burial will be in St. Hyacinth’s Cemetery. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Arrangements are by the McGraw-Kowal Funeral Home.
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