Obituary of Sigmund Ernie Piekunka

Sodus: Mr. Piekunka was born in Rochester, NY, 1925, and died December 29, 2008. He attended Webster High School and later Rochester Institute of Technology. He served his country in the Third Army, 79th Division, 314th Infantry Regiment under General George Patton. He fought in France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Czechoslovakia, Germany, and Holland and was presented the Bronze Star Medal and several other military citations. The National Infantry Association bestowed him the highest Order of Saint Maurice. In 1951, he married Mary Gaudino of Sodus. That year he became affiliated with his father-in-law's dry cleaning business, Gaudino Cleaners, Inc., in Sodus. To further his knowledge as a dry cleaner, he became a graduate of the National Institute of Dry Cleaning. In 1967, he and his wife purchased the dry cleaning business, which became Piekunka Cleaners, Inc., and in 1971 added a Laundromat. Together working with his wife, they owned the businesses until 1995. While in business, he often contributed his services to the various fraternal, religious, school, and community organizations. During his married life he took great pleasure in active participation in civic and social matters. He was awarded the Sodus Chamber of Commerce Certificate of Merit for outstanding community service. He was a member of the Sodus Chamber of Commerce for many years serving as vice president and on its Board of Directors, besides working on several committees. He (and his wife) were designated Citizens of the Year (2006) by the Sodus Chamber of Commerce. He joined the Sodus Fire Department in 1952 and served as its president for four years. In 1980, he was made an Honorary member of the Fire Company. He also served in the Wayne County Fire Police for many years. Mr. Piekunka was a life member of the American Legion in Sodus where he served as Commander, Adjutant, chairman and cook for many dinners, and helping with Bingo. When his sons were young, he was active in the Boy Scouts, and later he was instrumental in organizing and obtaining the charter for Boy Scout Troop 112 sponsored by the American Legion. For this he received a Citation of Honor for Meritorious Accomplishments in recognition of outstanding contributions to the Boy Scouts of America and to the community by the New York American Legion. Mr. Piekunka was an active member of the Church of the Epiphany and served as chairman and cook at the many breakfasts sponsored by the Parish Activities Society. He was a member of the Sodus Bay Historical Society; and also served as a public election inspector for many years. Ernie and his wife were recognized on the floor of the New York State Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives for their contributions to the Sodus Community. In his spare time, he liked to refurbish and to remodel his home, and always had a garden. He took great pride in his home and pleasure in sharing his vegetables and flowers with his friends. He leaves his wife Mary, of 57 years, 4 sons Vincent (Gabrielle) Bradenton, FL, James (Carol) Goshen, IN, Joseph (Annemarie) Dryden, NY, Thomas (Joy) Webster, NY, and 2 daughters Grace Patterson and Ann (Wally) Holloway, both of Lexington, KY, 7 grandchildren, 2 step-grandchildren and 5 great step-grandchildren. Visitation will be held Thursday from 7-9 and Friday from 2-4 & 7-9 p.m. from Norton Funeral Home, 45 West Main Street, Sodus. A Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday from Church of the Epiphany, Sodus. Interment with Military Honors will be at the Sodus Rural Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Ernie’s memory to the Church of the Epiphany, the American Cancer Society or to one’s favorite charity.