Bob Sienkiewicz found fertile ground for fostering his Polish heritage on Buffalo's East Side.

After completing a bachelor's degree in political science at the University at Buffalo, he decided to move into the heart of the city's Polonia district and worked tirelessly to bring it back from decline.

As executive director of Broadway-Fillmore Neighborhood Housing Services for more than 10 years, he helped hundreds of homeowners get low-cost loans, grants and rehabilitation assistance to repair their residences.

He did his part by purchasing four buildings, including the former Polonia Savings and Loan Building on Fillmore Avenue in 2010, a nearly century-old neo-classical stone structure that was the last project of Wladyslaw H. Zawadzki, Buffalo's foremost Polish American architect.

He renovated the second floor for an apartment and let the previous owners, the Polish Army Veterans Association, keep using the first floor. He also engaged Polish artist Wojciech "Otecki" Kolacz to cover an entire side of the building with a brightly colored mural.

He brought new life to other historic buildings, including Eugene V. Debs Hall and the apartment projects at former School 62 on Urban Street and the Jankowski Cigar Factory on Fillmore Avenue.

He went on to posts in city and state government until his activities were curtailed by amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease. He died Aug. 18 in Elderwood at Williamsville. He was 67.

Born in Wellsboro, Pa., Robert J. Sienkiewicz grew up there and in Corning, the second of three children of Joseph Sinkewicz Sr. and Delores Bator Sinkewicz. His father was an executive with Corning Glass Co. He was an altar boy and a Cub and Boy Scout. He played midget football and, in middle school, was district broad jump champion.

At Corning-Painted Post East High School, where he graduated in 1975, he was an Honor Society member, hosted and traveled as a member of American Field Service, was a ski club and debate club member, and played cornet in the band and marching band.

Completing his degree at UB, he legally restored his name to its original spelling, which his father had changed, and helped his brother Joseph Jr. establish a law office on Fillmore Avenue.

He first worked for the Neighborhood Information Center, a non-profit social service agency that provided help for seniors, then became executive director for Neighborhood Housing Services.

After Mayor Anthony M. Masiello named him director of housing in 1994, he continued as NHS board chairman for 10 years. In his city post, he stepped up building inspections and oversaw demolitions and neighborhood revitalization efforts.

In the early 2000s, he became an aide to Fillmore Council Member David Franczyk and later was his chief of staff.

In a tribute in the Am-Pol Eagle following his death, Franczyk wrote: "I was delighted to be able to 'steal' Bob from the mayor's office to work in my Council office, because I knew that Bob's intelligence and dedication to the East Side would be a benefit to the district and Polish-American community. He certainly was a great help, focusing on the myriad issues ... such as crime, economic development, public works and historic preservation."

Mr. Sienkiewicz took an administrative position with the state Department of Health in 2007 and was instrumental in organizing emergency procedures during the early days of the Covid-19 epidemic. Twice a week he would drive to Syracuse with test results.

As a Democratic Party executive committee member, his activities ranged from door-to-door canvassing to strategy meetings. He was a mentor and adviser to numerous candidates and officeholders.

He served on the boards of the Broadway Market, the Polish Community Center, the General Pulaski Association of Western New York and the Adam Mickiewicz Library and Dramatic Circle, where he was a late-night bartender.

He was an active supporter of the Western New York Peace Center, the Lexington Co-op, Bread Hive, Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper, the Central Terminal Restoration Corp. and the Elmwood Avenue Festival of the Arts. An energetic volunteer, he helped plant trees and regularly pitched in at special events.

Also a naturalist, he was vice president of the board of the Nature Sanctuary Society of Western New York for nearly 20 years, as well as its financial adviser and Land Acquisitions Committee member. He donated 50 forested acres, now known as the Robert J. Sienkiewicz Preserve, in Delevan.

Mr. Sienkiewicz hiked seven national parks and visited Cuba and Costa Rica. In 1983, he concluded nine months in Europe by looking up relatives in eastern Poland. A college friend, Polish radio show host Andrew "Andrzej" Golebiowski, helped translate. He returned in 2019 after serving as an international election inspector in Ukraine, overseeing voting that elected President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

An avid bowler and Buffalo sports fan, he worked on the Bisons seasonal staff. He encouraged the development of Buffalo Distilling Co.'s award-winning Krupnik honey liqueur and helped Buffalo Brewing Co. acquire the former Schreiber Brewery on Fillmore Avenue.

In 2022, he was grand marshal of the Pulaski Parade. In 2023, he received the Ignacy Paderewski Medal from the Polish Consulate for his lifetime work in the Polonia community.

He also was honored last year with proclamations in the Buffalo Common Council and the State Assembly. Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz declared Oct. 4, 2023, as Robert "Bob" Sienkiewicz Day.

Beloved son of the late Delores (nee Bator) and late Joseph F. Sinkewicz, Sr. and his wife Lucinda.

Cherished brother of Linda (Douglas Gillen) Sinkewicz and late Joseph F. Sinkewicz, Jr.

Robert is also survived by cousins in the Bator family originally from Pennsylvania.

Friends are invited to Celebrate the Life of Robert "Bob" Sienkiewicz on Saturday, October 26, 2024 from 3 to 7 pm, at the Adam Mickiewicz Library and Dramatic Circle, 612 Fillmore Avenue, Buffalo, NY, 14212.

RSVP appreciated and questions to rememberbobalways@gmail.com

Donations in Bob's memory can be made to a personal charity of choice.

The family appreciates your prayers and concerns and would like to thank you for your support.

Please take a minute to share a picture in our online Photo Album or a favorite memory in our Guest Book here on Robert's Tribute page.