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- Leo S. ''Uncle Leo'' Ciskiewic, Sr. 93, of Niagara Falls, NY passed away on Monday, August 15, 2016 at Bertrand Chaffee Hospital, Springville, NY. Born in Niagara Falls, NY on July 22, 1923 he was the son of the late Valentine and Anna (Promowicz) Ciskiewic. He attended local schools and began working as a young man as a disc operator for the Carborundum Co., from 1942-1943.
He enlisted/inducted in the Navy October 16, 1943. He did boot training at Sampson, NY, CO. 141-BKS C-21. He then went to Little Creek, VA, for gunnery training and from there to the Armed Guard Ctr., Brooklyn, NY, March 2, 1944. His first ship was the SS Andrew Carnegie, Gunnery Officer lt.(jg) Frances W. Lane, ship's Capt., Benson. He was assigned pointer position on a 5"55 surface gun (vintage WWI).
Leo's next trip, like his brother Steve's, was on the SS Exford, June 27, 1944. He made the Murmansk, Russia run. A 2nd trip was back to England, July 29, 1944, in convoy to Omaha Beach, Normandy, France. He returned to the US for a sixteen-day leave. For his third trip, he was assigned to the SS Maria Mitchell, Gunnery Officer Lt.(jg) H.G. Donnell, ship's Capt. Spencer. His gun position, Pointer, 3"50 AA gun. On October 13, 1944, they sailed through the Panama Canal, loaded in California and headed for Leyte, Manila and Subic Bay. Then returned to Treasure Island, CA.
Other ships he was on and two more trips to the Philippines were the MS Masthead Knot, the SS Jerry S. Foley, USS Kingsbury APA 177, the USS Latimer APA 152 and 1st 211. Leo was commended for his accurate fire control at his gun position while in convoy. He received an honorable discharge on July 4, 1946 and received the American Theater Medal, Asiatic Pacific Medal, Philippine Liberation Ribbon, European Theater Medal, Victory Medal.
Leo re-enlisted in the Naval Air Reserve, August 24, 1949, at the Naval Air Station, Niagara Falls, NY. He was also stationed at the NAS Floyd Bennet, NY and the NAS Willow Grove, PA. Parent base at the NAS Bermuda. He was flight plane Captain for fourteen years on patrol bombers, PV2 Harpoons, P4Y Privateers(B24) and long range P2V Neptunes. He finally retired from the military on July 22, 1983 as an Aviation Machinist's Mate 1st Class.
While and after serving his country, Uncle Leo was a 1st Shop Operator for 35 years at DuPont until his retirement. In his free time Leo especially loved to go fishing for yellow pike, via a 22-hour train ride up north and camping at his " one-man tent" as he called it in Springville, NY. He also enjoyed fixing things to his own specifications.
He is survived by his children Kathleen(Dennis) Pengelly and John Ciskiewic; grandchildren, Jeffery, Danielle, Michael and Crystalee and great-grandchildren, Rayanna, Slader and Logan. He is also survived by several nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews and great-great nieces and nephews. Besides his parents he was predeceased by his wife, Lillian (Musilowski)Ciskiewic; son, Leo S. Ciskiewic Jr.; brothers, Steffie "Steve"(Pauline) Ciskiewic and Valentine Ciskiewic and sisters, Stella(Steve) Markovich and Helen(Walter) Rydzik.
Friends may call Monday, August 22nd from 2-4 & 7-9 PM at ZAJAC FUNERAL HOME INC., 319 24th Street, cor of Welch Ave, Niagara Falls, NY., where prayer services will begin at 10:00AM on Tuesday August 23rd. Followed by a Mass of Christian at 10:30 AM at Divine Mercy Parish, 2437 Niagara Street, Niagara Falls, NY with Rev. Jacek Mazur officiating. Burial with military honors following in Holy Trinity Cemetery, Lewiston, NY. In Lieu of flowers, donations in Uncle Leo's memory may be made to the Leather Stocking Honor Flight, Po Box 621, Cableskill, NY 12043.
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1923 - 2016 (93 years)