Notes:

Posted: Wednesday, September 24, 2014 6:26 pm

Loving Husband,Father & Grandfather

Nikolaj "Nick" Birjukow, 68, of Newfane, NY, passed away suddenly, surrounded by his loving family on Tuesday, September 23, 2014. Born in Rosenheim, Germany, he was the son of the late Akim and Dora (Galowski) Birjukow.

Nikolaj immigrated to the United States through Ellis Island with his family at the age of five and settled in the Niagara County area where he lived until the present time. In Vietnam, Nikolaj served in the U.S. Army until his honorable discharge in May of 1968. In 1970, he married Darlene A. (DePrey) Birjukow. In 1974 Nikolaj became a successful self-made businessman as the founder of Niagara Coatings Services, Inc., where he worked until retiring in 2008. He also was involved with a number of other entrepreneurial projects throughout his career.

Nikolaj was a longtime member of the Niagara Frontier Country Club in Youngstown, NY. He was an avid fisherman, hunter and golfer and for many years enjoyed traveling with his golf buddies. Nikolaj and his wife spent their winters in Florida where they enjoyed visiting with their family and friends. He had a passion for the outdoors and the western town he built on his farm in Newfane, NY, which housed many of the family's beloved pets throughout his lifetime. But most of all Nikolaj's greatest pleasure was spending time with his family.

In addition to his wife of forty-four years, Nikolaj is survived by four children, Kimberly M. (Allen R.) Birjukow-Richards of Lockport, NY, Sabrina S. Birjukow of Newfane, NY, Nikolaj J. Birjukow of Brooklyn, NY and Nathaniel T. Birjukow of Los Angeles, CA; three grandsons, Riley Richards, Shane Cushman and Landon Cushman; one brother, James (Vickie) Birjukow of Sanborn, NY; and several nieces and nephews. He is also survived by loving in-laws and friends in the Niagara region, Florida and Washington State. He was predeceased by two brothers, Joseph Birjukow and Leo Birjukow.

Visitation will be on Friday from 2-4 PM and 6-8:30 PM at the M.J. COLUCCI & SON NIAGARA FUNERAL CHAPEL, 2730 Military Road, Niagara Falls, NY, where funeral services will be held on Saturday, September 27th at 11:00 AM, concluding with Military Honors. Flowers are graciously declined. Memorial donations may be made to any of the following: American Cancer Society, 101 John James Audubon Parkway, Amherst, NY 14228; Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, 331 Alberta Drive, Buffalo, NY 14226; or the American Heart Association, Founders Affiliate, PO Box 417005, Boston, MA.

Visit www.mjcoluccifuneralchapel.com for online guest register.

Nikolaj + DEPREY, Darlene Ann. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Niagara Gazette - 9/11/1951

A refugee family brought out of
Germany by the Church World service
under the sponsorship of the Cui
Bono class of St. Paul's Methodist
church school has been officially
welcomed to this country by the
church's minister and congregation.
The refugees are Akim Birjukow,
his wife. Dora, and their two small
sons. Josef, six. and Nikolaj. 4 1/2.
On hand to greet the Birjukow
family at the morning worship Sunday
were the Rev. John A. Redmond
and George V. Leazer, president of
Cui Bono class.
Mr. Birjukow, who was born in
Ukrainia, was a farmer in his youth
and also had experience as a miner
and metal worker. In 1943 he was
deported from the Ukraine into Germany
as a laborer and worked in a
factory in Munich during the war.
After the liberation of Germany he
was a worker in a DP work camp.
Mrs. Birjukow is a native of
Poland.
During the war single men and
women in Poland were deported to
Germany Since her three sisters
and one brother were all married at
the time of deportation, Dora was
the only member of her family sent
off to Germany alone at the age of
14 and has seen none of her family
since her. departure from Poland.
She met Mr. Birjukow after the war
ended and Americans were in Germany.
Upon their arrival in Niagara
Falls the family were guests of Mr.
and Mrs. Leazer and their son, Billii.
while housing for them was being
arranged. The father will work for
the Vanadium corporation.
Both Mr .and Mrs. Birjukow speak
Russian and German and Mrs. Birjukow
speaks Polish. They plan to
learn English as soon as possible.
Josef will enter school where the
subject of English will become his
major endeavor.
Through Mr. Matthew Krencisz,
a member of St. Paul's church, acting
as interpreter, Mr. and Mrs. Birjukow
have expressed their joy at
arriving in America and their great
pleasure in being surrounded with so
many friendly people. They are
most anxious to learn English and
remove the language barrier so that
their new friends can understand
them.

Akim + GALOWSKI, Dora. Dora was born in Poland. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Joseph married LESPERANCE, Claire on 10 Nov 1934 in Two Rivers, Manitowoc County, WI. Claire (daughter of LESPERANCE, Oscar and BURNS, Suzanne) was born about 1914 in Green Bay, Brown County, WI; died on 28 Jan 2019 in Town of Lewiston, Niagara County, NY. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Claire DePrey, 105, of Niagara Falls, NY, passed away peacefully on January 28, 2019, at Mt. St. Mary’s Hospital. Born in Green Bay, WI, she was the daughter of the late Oscar and Suzanne (Burns) Lesperance.
Claire married her beloved husband, Joseph DePrey, on November 10, 1934 in Two Rivers, WI and later moved to Niagara Falls in 1941. Mr. DePrey passed away on September 12, 1983, after 48 loving years together.
Claire was employed at the former Jenss Department Store, where she enjoyed socializing with her coworkers and customers. She also enjoyed crocheting, especially blankets for her grandchildren. Above all, Claire’s life was centered around her family who will miss her dearly.
Mrs. DePrey is survived by her children, Allen (Mary) DePrey, Darlene (late Nikolaj) Birjukow, James DePrey, Betty (late David) Sayers, Keith (Diane) DePrey, Cheryl (John) Venne and Gail (James) Venne; twenty grandchildren, thirty-one great-grandchildren and many great-great grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. She was predeceased by her siblings, Beatrice (late Gerald) Naidl, Terence (late Lorraine) Lesperance, Lucile (late Paul) Peshek, Pearline (late Robert) Bauers and Robert Lesperance.
Visitation will be on Friday, February 1st from 11 -1 P.M. at M.J. COLUCCI & SON NIAGARA FUNERAL CHAPEL, 2730 Military Road, Niagara Falls, NY, where funeral services will begin at 1:00 P.M. Interment will follow in Gate of Heaven Cemetery. Visit mjcoluccifuneralchapel.com for online condolences.

Oscar + BURNS, Suzanne. Suzanne and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]