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- November 15, 2012
William C. Wittkowsky
The Tonawanda News
NORTH TONAWANDA -
William C. Wittkowsky, November 15, 2012, age 87, of North Tonawanda. Survived by his beloved wife of 60 years, Wilma (nee Kuhn); cherished father of Ann (Katherine Powell) of Seattle and David (James Anderson) of Cleveland; and dear uncle of Susan Kick and Stephen Wittkowsky.
A graduate of NTHS and the New York Institute of Photography, he was a Master of Photography and second-generation proprietor of the Wittkowsky Studio. He served as Mayor of North Tonawanda from 1976-1979, and in later years authored the Flashback column of local history in the Tonawanda News. William was a WWII Army veteran and was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for battle heroism and the Purple Heart. He was a lifelong member of the United Church of Christ, including Friedens and Salem congregations.
A memorial service will be held on Monday, November 19th at 11 AM at Salem UCC, 114 Morgan St., Tonawanda, with a luncheon to follow. Flowers gratefully declined. Memorial contributions may be made to Salem UCC, Niagara Hospice or the UB Foundation-Anatomical Gift Program.
Visit www.tonawanda-news.com/obituaries for online guest register.
ALSO
November 20, 2012
Former NT mayor Wittkowsky dies
STAFF REPORTS
The Tonawanda News
Tonawanda News — Former North Tonawanda mayor and owner of Wittkowsky Studio, William “Bill” Wittkowsky died Nov. 15.
A native of North Tonawanda, Wittkowsky, 87, was an active member of the Professional Photographer’s Association of America. He received awards for many of his photographs, among them “Adornment from the Sea,” published in National Photographer magazine and “Photomicrograph” one of 26 merit award photographs featured on the Today Show in 1964. In addition, his photo of a Schlicker Organ appeared in Encyclopedia Britannica with an article about organs.
Later, Wittkowsky had shows of his work at the Carnegie Art Center and other locations.
As mayor from 1976 to 1979, Wittkowsky was instrumental in petitioning to save the old Carnegie library building for the city, collaborating on the initiative with former U.S. Senator Henry P. Smith. Bicentennial celebrations took place during his terms as mayor, including the dedication of a 50-year time capsule laid in the foundation of the new library on Meadow Drive in 1976.
A native of North Tonawanda, Wittkowsky had a tremendous collection of photos of the Twin Cities, many of which he shared with readers of his Flashback weekly column on local history in the Tonawanda News.
“My dad was a great movie buff,” his son David Wittkowsky, said. “He grew up one block from the Avondale Theater, where he watched movies every Saturday for a dime, and collected a dish each week for his mother.”
He attended the Cleveland International Film Festival annually when his son David was executive director. A lover of live theater, he and his wife, Wilma, attended the Shaw Festival, Irish Classical, Studio Arena and Stratford theaters. The couple celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in July. They have two children, David Wittkowsky of Cleveland, Ohio, and Ann Wittkowsky of Seattle, Wash.
Wittkowsky served in the Army infantry in WWII, earning a Bronze Star. He was wounded in Belgium during the Battle of the Bulge and was awarded the Purple Heart.
An active member of Friedens United Church of Christ and later Salem UCC in Tonawanda, he was a long-time choir member.
Wittkowsky spent the last three and a half years in the care of Clare Bridge of Niagara, and the last few days with the support of Niagara Hospice
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