Live Stream link for Mr. Kuwik's Funeral: https://youtu.be/U64V0vLbZ6Q

A retired supervisor for Niagara Mohawk, Ronald A. Kuwik, passed away at Mercy Hospital, in Buffalo, New York, at the age of 86.

In his youth, Ron served as an altar boy at St. Ann's on Broadway and was a member of the Boy Scouts.  Although the rules have changed, Ron was only 14 when he achieved the rank of Eagle.  He loved camping and even served as a summer camp counselor for St. Mary's School for the Deaf.

A US Army veteran, he served in Germany during his tour of duty from 1957 to 1959. During this time he developed a love for German beer.  He enjoyed visiting the surrounding towns and villages to sample their "craft" beers.  During his leave, he visited Belgium, attending the World's Fair in Brussels, and then toured Paris.  He recalled how wonderful the German people were, opening their homes to American soldiers to celebrate the holidays.  Just as he was leaving Paris to go to London, he vacation was cut short.  A crisis in Lebanon called his unit into action. His unit was transported out on the day Elvis Presley arrived to start his service.  Although he did not enjoy any travel by ship, he was able to see the White Cliffs of Dover illuminated by moonlight, travel through the Strait of Gibraltar, and learn firsthand the Mediterranean Sea is as blue as everyone says.  Although his unit was bivouacked in an olive grove, he was able to visit Beirut, then called the "Paris of the Middle East."  Although Ron was reluctant to enter the army as so many cousins had done, he waited until he was drafted.  When he returned home, said it was one of the best things that happened to him, for it gave him the opportunity to see another part of the world.

His experiences working in the army helped him to secure and upgrade other positions at Niagara Mohawk when he returned to civilian life.  As a planner and then supervisor, he was responsible for "lighting" many of the burgeoning areas in Amherst and Williamsville, including the UB North Campus.  He was a member of Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation's Bowling team and helped his team win many conferences and trophies.  There were years he bowled two and three times a week!  He also loved to play tennis and enjoyed a good game of badminton in the backyard with his youngest sister and her friends, teaching them the finer points of the game.  Ron always purchased a new car every three-to-four years.  He was partial to Pontiac at first, but graduated to Cadillacs.  He celebrated his 80 ^th Birthday with the purchase of a new Cadillac.  And, with the exception of his first car, ALL his cars were some shade of blue.

After Ron retired from Niagara Mohawk in 1979, a day he prepared for from the first day he started working, he continued to bowl, but now could indulge in his love for birds.  Ron's name is on the boards of various bird watching spots throughout Western New York as the first to identify specific birds as they flew through the area, especially during migration season.  Until his knees became a problem, he had been an avid walker, creating three different 5-mile routes he tried to navigate daily.  A serious gardner, he proudly produced his favorite – Brussels Sprouts – and many other vegetables that were used to create delicious vegetable and chicken soups.  As Ron always said, he had the best teacher – his mother.  When she could no longer cook, Ron took over the chores in the kitchen, often asking her to coach him through their favorite recipes.   It was because of Ron that his mother was able to stay in her home until the age of 94.  He, along with his Aunt Ceil and sisters Sandy, but especially Barbara, provided the care his mom needed.

Ron was also a voracious reader.  His collection of books is extensive, and although he leaned toward history, his favorite author was Charles Dickens.  He also loved mysteries and knew all the sleuths, especially Poirot.

A collector of stamps, Ron also loved jigsaw and crossword puzzles, and was a master at Sudoku.  He listened only to classical music and owned any movie about composers and songwriters.  During the last fifteen years, disgusted with so many of the shows on television, he began to collect BBC series DVDs that included mysteries, the classics, and historical fiction.

A man of many interests and talents, Ron was always ready to lend a hand to help a family member in need, whether it was picking up his sister at the airport after an AP English Reading or helping his nephew fund his research to complete a doctorate.  A private man, a reserved man, he always understated his accomplishments, for he shunned the limelight but was admired and adored by his siblings, nephews, and niece, and so highly respected by his uncles, aunts, and cousins.

Ronald was the beloved son of the late Estelle (nee Szyjka) Kuwik and late Alexander Kuwik.

A devoted brother of Alexandra (Ronald) Stachowiak, and the late Sylvia (John) Pysz, and the late Barbara (Edward) Lukaszek.

The loving uncle of David Lukaszek, Edward (Tricia) Lukaszek, Marybeth Pysz (Joshua) Michel, and Andrew Stachowiak, a fond great uncle of Megan Lewis, Aurora Lukaszek, and also survived by several cousins.

The family will be present on Wednesday from 10 - 11:30 AM at the PIETSZAK FUNERAL HOME, 2400 William St. (near Harlem) where services will be held Wednesday at 11:30 AM , followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Gabriel Church, located at 5271 Clinton Street, in Elma, NY 14059, at 12:15 PM.

Entombment with Military Honors will follow at St. Stanislaus Cemetery, in Cheektowaga, New York.

Face coverings and social distancing will be required at all times during Ronald's services. Current capacity restrictions may cause delayed entry. Thank you for your understanding.

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