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- Robert S. "Bob" Sobczyk, 87, of the Town of Niagara, passed away on Tuesday, January 28, 2025. Born in Niagara Falls, NY on December 30, 1937, he was the son of the late Stanley J. and Stephanie (Janik) Sobczyk, and husband of the late Lorraine (Stempien) Sobczyk, who predeceased him on August 12, 2018 after 51 years of marriage.
Bob graduated from Niagara Falls High School and promptly entered the United States Army on May 25, 1957, serving his country for 5 years in both active and reserve duty. He was honorably discharged as a SP5 on August 9, 1962. Bob was employed by the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company's Niagara Falls Chemical plant for nearly 45 years, until his retirement in 2001, and then by the Niagara Wheatfield School District for several years as a bus driver. In his early 20's Bob worked as a part-time bartender at Zajac's Bar, where he and Lorraine were eventually introduced.
As a dedicated and faithful catholic his entire life, Bobby first served the church as an altar boy, and when old enough became an usher. He remained active in the St. Stanislaus Kostka Church community for many decades. Sunday mass was a certainty, as were polkas playing on the car ride home and usually for a couple hours thereafter. On many occasions you might find Bobby and Lorraine dancing to the polkas in the garage with the doors raised and volume, on the A.M. radio station, turned all the way up as they were proud to celebrate their polish heritage.
Vegetable gardening was one of Bob's passions, and the long summer days afforded him many hours to maintain it. He loved to rototill his garden in the late spring, and the soil always seemed to need "one more pass." We all watched as his gardens flourished, initially due to his meticulous preparation and then from his early evening watering regimen - a hose in one hand and Labatt blue light in the other.
Bob was avid outdoorsman and was introduced to hunting by his dad, where he spent many fall weekends in the fields of northern Niagara County kicking up pheasants or waiting on Turkeys. Deer hunting in the winter brought him to cabins in Wellsville and then to hills of Ellicottville where he shared the comradery of many friends – friends to this day he still shared Sunday breakfast with.
It is probably fair to say that watching his granddaughters grow up brought him the most joy. He took great pride in attending numerous dance recitals, gymnastics competitions, school concerts, and track meets, eager to share in their happiness.
Bob is survived by his sons, Michael (Lisa) Sobczyk and Robert M. (Kathy) Sobczyk; grandchildren, Logan, and Kendall; sisters, Marie (late Bill) DeRusha, Patsy (late Herb) Steiner, Bernadette (Jeff) Vanhorn, Dorothy (late James) Juras and Elaine (late David) D'Arcy; an uncle, Matthew (Bertha) Janik along with many cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Friends may call Sunday, February 2nd from 1-4 PM at ZAJAC FUNERAL HOME INC., 319 24th Street, Niagara Falls, NY. A Mass of Christian burial will be held 10:00 AM on Monday, February 3rd at Holy Family of Jesus Mary & Joseph Parish (Mt. Carmel site), 2499 Independence Ave, Niagara Falls, NY with Rev. Duane Klizek officiating. EVERYONE PLEASE ASSEMBLE AT CHURCH. Burial with Military honors following in Holy Trinity Cemetery, Lewiston, NY. Visit zajacfuneralhomeinc.com for online condolences.
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1937 - 2025 (87 years)