Joseph "Sonny" Banak

Dusckas Obituaries

Joseph "Sonny" Banak, age 86, passed from this life on Thursday, October 7, 2010 surrounded by his family at the Soldiers & Sailors Home, where he had resided for the past two and a half years. He was born on March 19, 1924, in Erie, the son of Frank and Catherine Zazzatski Banak.

Joseph, "Sonny", was a veteran of WWII having served with the U.S. Army in the Phillipines. Joe retired from American Meter Works in 1986 after 36 years of employment. He was a member of St. Ann's Church and attended until he became ill. Joe liked to crack a joke, and even as his memory faded, his sense of humor remained. In his free time, Joseph volunteered at the Soldiers & Sailors Home and the St. Martin Center. Joe loved music and enjoyed playing the guitar and harmonica. During his lifetime he engaged in many other pastimes with his friends and family, including horseshoes, jarts and poker.

Most often, Joe could be found relaxing on the porch, listening to some big band or polkas on the radio, and relishing something delicious prepared by his wife. Joseph and Leora ("Sonny and Sis") would have celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary on October 13, 2010. Joseph's family is very grateful for the individuals who work in Unit D of the Soldiers & Sailors Home. Their loving care for Joseph and support of his wife, Leora is very much appreciated.

Besides his parents, Joe was preceded in death by three brothers, John and Edward Banak and Frank (Benek) Banak, Jr.; and three sisters, Gladys Soliwoda, Josephine Borkowski and Dorothy Kehl. Joseph is survived by his wife, Leora Hartzell Banak; two brothers, Stanley Banak and William Banak; two sisters, Mary Ann Golembeski and Virginia Stanek; two sisters-in-law, Lucille Benek and Genevieve Banak, all of Erie; as well as many nieces and nephews.

As his legacy, Joseph leaves behind 14 (and counting) wonderful human beings and their spouses; two daughters, Joan Kowalewski (Robert) of Erie and Theresa Rebar (Mark) of Painted Post, N.Y.; six grandchildren, Robin Kay Grack (Gary) and Brian Kowalewski (Kristin) of Erie, Tanya Martineau (Brad) of Indiana, Pa. and Matthew, Zachary and Adam Rebar of Binghamtom, N.Y.; and six great-grandchildren, Leah, Quinn, Harrison, Gianna, Aiden and Austin.

Friends may call at the Dusckas Funeral Home, Inc., East, 2607 Buffalo Road on Sunday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. and are invited to attend a Funeral Service there on Monday at 11 a.m. conducted by Fr. Jerry Priscaro of St. Ann R.C. Church. Interment, Calvary Cemetery.

Memorials may be designated to the Alzheimer's Assn. – Greater PA Chapter, 1128 State St., Suite 301, Erie, Pa. 16501.

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