Family/Spouse: Christina. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

December 24, 2011
Arthur A. Elia

Niagara Gazette

LOCKPORT — Arthur Elia, 83, of Wilson, NY, passed away peacefully on Thursday, December 22, 2011, at the Niagara Hospice House in Lockport, NY. He was born on July 3, 1928, in Niagara Falls, NY, the son of Albert and Josephine (Eugeni) Elia, Sr., both Italian immigrants. Arthur grew up in the Falls where he attended Niagara Falls Senior High School, and graduated in 1946. It was there he met his childhood sweetheart and eventual wife, Shirley Knize. The two would marry on June 19, 1948, and they had four children: sons, Laurence, Michael and Richard; and daughter Christine.

At the age of 16, Arthur Elia started working for his father's business, the Albert Elia Building Company, as would become tradition for all Elia descendants. Arthur and his brothers began as laborers working to earn their respective positions. In 1947, Arthur, along with his brothers, Albert, Alfred and Alan, formally incorporated the Albert Elia Building Company, Inc., which specialized in residential building construction, as well as industrial, institutional and civil construction work. This would lay the early framework for what would eventually become Sevenson Environmental Services, Inc.

Arthur's expertise was managing the work program of the Highway and Heavy Division of the company. One of the most noteworthy contracts awarded to the Albert Elia Building Company came in the summer of 1969, with the dewatering of the American Falls. This project made national headline news and the Elia's became famous as the "contractors who turned off the falls." The Albert Elia Building Company slowly grew into one of New York State's largest general contractors. Over time, the third generation of the Elia family joined the company's workforce as it began evolving into Sevenson in its present form.

In 1977, nationwide attention was drawn to the toxic waste concerns at Niagara Falls Love Canal. The proximity of Love Canal to his home and the overall threat of toxic waste to the community, fueled the desire and determination in Arthur to pursue work in this field. His efforts gave birth to the future success in the hazardous waste remediation industry. In the late 1970s, the "seven sons"(Arthur's three sons and his nephews) corroborated, and the Sevenson Corporations began to take root. With Arthur at the helm, Sevenson Containment Corporation was selected as the principal contractor for cleanup work at the Love Canal in 1979. The work at Love Canal would prove to be just the beginning, as over a period of time, it became apparent that hazardous waste cleanup needs were not limited to Western New York. This allowed for the Sevenson Corporations to continue to grow and prosper into the company it has become today.

Arthur Elia is survived, foremost, by Shirley, his wife of 63 years; and their children, Laurence A. Elia, Michael A. (Karin) Elia, Richard A. (Christina) Elia and Christine E. (Philip) DeLuca, all of Wilson, NY; as well as 14 grandchildren, Samia, Arthur, Anthony, Jennifer, Michael, Jessica, Michelle, Richard II, Rachel, Joseph, Lauren, Adrien, Alexa and Justin; and finally by eight great-grandchildren. Moreover, he is survived by two sisters, Irene and Ida; and was predeceased by brothers, Albert, Alfred and Alan; and sisters, Elena and Yolanda. He is also survived by countless nieces, nephews and cousins.

With its home base and heart still in Niagara Falls, NY, the Elia family continues to be involved in the community and continues to be recognized for their gracious contributions to the greater good. Arthur will always be remembered for these accomplishments, as well as for his many stories, his wisdom and his devotion to his family. He has countless loved ones intent on continuing his legacy, and who are committed to honoring the great times and memories shared by all those who met him. Arthur will always be there to keep a watchful eye over the business and the family he worked his entire life to create.

A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, December 27, at St. Brendan on the Lake, at 3455 Ewings Road, Newfane, NY. The service will begin at 10 AM and the Elia family welcomes everyone to join together in recognition and celebration of Arthur's life. In lieu of gifts, the family asks that donations be made in his honor to Niagara Hospice House, 4675 Sunset Drive, Lockport, NY 14094. Arrangements by M.J. COLUCCI & SON NIAGARA FUNERAL CHAPEL, 2730 Military Road, Niagara Falls, NY. Visit www.mjcoluccifuneralchapel.com for online guest register.

Arthur married KNIZE, Shirley H on 19 Jun 1948. Shirley (daughter of KNIZE, James and SEDLAK, Helen) was born on 6 Dec 1928 in Niagara Falls, Niagara County, NY; died on 19 Dec 2017 in Lockport, Niagara County, NY. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Shirley H. Elia, 89, of Wilson, NY, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, December 19, 2017 at the Niagara Hospice House in Lockport, NY.  She was born on December 6, 1928 in Niagara Falls, NY, the daughter of the late James and Helen (Sedlak) Knize, both Czechoslovakian immigrants.
Shirley grew up in the Falls, where she attended Niagara Falls Senior High School, and graduated in 1946.  It was there she met her childhood sweetheart and eventual husband Arthur Elia, of The Albert Elia Building Company, which would later become Sevenson Environmental Services.  The two would marry on June 19, 1948, and they had four children; three sons, Laurence, Michael and Richard and one daughter, Christine.   Mr. Elia predeceased her on December 22, 2011 after 63 years of marriage.
Prior to her marriage, Shirley worked at Marine Midland Bank as a teller.  Upon marriage, she devoted her life to her husband, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  Nothing was more important to her than spending time with family.  Loyalty to her husband, family, and faith was the foundation of her life.
She was a lifetime member of St. Francis Guild of Mt. St. Mary’s Hospital.  Her favorite pastimes included gardening, knitting and crocheting, cooking, and traveling the world.
Shirley is survived by her children, Laurence A. (Christina) Elia, Michael A. (Karin) Elia, Richard A. (Christina) Elia, and Christine E. (Philip) DeLuca; 16 grandchildren, Samia (Ryan) Brennan, Arthur (Jenna) Elia, Anthony Elia, George Elia, Benjamin Elia, Jennifer Elia, Michael (Danielle) Elia, Jessica Elia, Michelle (Daniel) Evans, Richard (Angela) Elia II, Rachel (Kevin) Fura, Joseph (Ashley) Elia, Lauren DeLuca, Adrian DeLuca, Alexa (Charles) Martin, and Justin (Meredith) DeLuca; 16 great-grandchildren; one sister, Becky (late Ken) Young, as well as several nieces and nephews.  In addition to her husband, Mrs. Elia was predeceased her brothers, Hank (late Mary) Knize, Jim (late Dorothy) Knize, her sisters, Agnes (late Howard) Steinbrenner, Dorothy (late Jennings) Waldron, and Pauline (late Paul) Sullivan.
A memorial mass will be held on Saturday, December 23, at St. Peter’s Roman Catholic Church, 620 Center Street, Lewiston, NY 14092.  The service will begin at 10 AM, and the Elia family welcomes everyone to join together in recognition and celebration of Shirley’s life. In lieu of gifts, the family asks that donations to be made in her honor to Niagara Hospice House, 4675 Sunset Drive, Lockport, New York 14094. Arrangements by M.J. COLUCCI & SON NIAGARA FUNERAL CHAPEL, 2730 MILITARY ROAD NIAGARA FALLS, NEW YORK 14304.  Visit www.mjcoluccifuneralchapel.com for online guest register.

Notes:

Niagara Gazette - 7/17/1948

WEDS ON PARENT'S. ANNIVERSARY
— Mrs. Arthur Ella,
whose marriage to Mr. Arthur
Elia, son of Mr. and Mrs. Albert
Elia. Sr.. Seventeenth street, was
solemnized on her parent's thirtyfourth
wedding anniversary. Is the
former Miss Shirley H. Knize,
daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James
Knize, Linwood avenue.

Arthur married EUGENI, Domenica in Jul 1914. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

James + SEDLAK, Helen. Helen (daughter of SEDLAK, Frank and Agnes) was born about 1894 in Czechoslovakia; died on 16 Jan 1952 in Niagara Falls, Niagara County, NY. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Niagara Gazette - 1/17/1952

Funeral Planned Saturday
For Mrt. Helen Knize
Funeral services for Mrs. Helen
Knize, 58, of 1860 Linwood avenue,
will be conducted . at i the Otto F.
Redanz Funeral home by the' Rev;
Jesse J. Simoson at__i o'clock on
Saturday afternoon.
Mrs. Knize died late yesterday, at
Memorial hospital after a three-year
illness. • - .
Born in Czechoslovakia, Mrs.
Knize lived in Niagara Falls for the
last 45 years. She was a member of
St. James Methodist church here.
—Surviving are her husband, James
Knize, Sr.;. two sons, James Knize.
Jr., this city and Henry Knize, Lewiston;
- five daughters, Mrs: Agnes
Steinb.renner, Mrs_ Frances Young,'
*Mn. Pauline Sullivan, Mrs. Shirley
E.lia, this citjf and Mrs. Dorothy Waldron,
Kenmore; three brothers,
James and Henry Sedlak, this city
and Joseph Sedlak, Baltimore, Md.;
a sister, Mrs.'Marie 'Adarns*, ihis city.
She -is-alsc survived* by five grandchildren.
Burial will be in Oakwood cemetery.

Frank + Agnes. Agnes was born about 1874 in Bohemia; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]