He was born June 17, 1939, in Batavia, son of the late John and Minnie Przysbyz Seweryniak.
He was a graduate of Corfu High School, having been the first in his family to reach this achievement. Joe was an engineer/CADCAM programmer at Kodak in Rochester prior to his retirement. He started his career as a general machinist for the former Trojan Industries of Batavia and this would lead him to design and develop special machines, dies, jigs and fixtures for 25 years and receive several awards of recognition for his outstanding designing and drawing of tools and fixtures. He was a proud member of the Society of Manufacturing Engineers and received the certification of NYS Journeyman Tool and Die Maker.
Known to many as “Joe of all trades”, he was a carpenter, craftsman and “Mr. Fix it”. Joe enjoyed dancing, polka music, spoke fluent Polish, loved mowing his lawn, planting trees and chopping wood, being outside and enjoying all that mother nature had to offer. He was also a proud member of SCOPE, NRA and parishioner of St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish in East Pembroke.
Survivors include his loving wife of 30 years, Kathryn Wityk Seweryniak of Batavia. Children, Randy (Gwen) Seweryniak of Darien, Janice Seweryniak of Oakfield, Laurie (Dan) Kearney of Corfu, Joseph A. Seweryniak of New Mexico and Patricia (Brad) Moore of Arcade. Grandchildren, Sarah and Joseph Ognibene, Olivia, Melissa and Randy Seweryniak, Samantha (Ryan) MacDonald, Jennifer (Jon) Flannery, Kristine Ognibene, Katie and Tracy Kearney, Garrett and Jacob Moore. Great-grandchildren, Ryan and Andrew MacDonald and Max Flannery. Sister, Ann Rumfola of LeRoy. Brothers, Raymond (Teresa) Seweryniak of Batavia and Leo (Vi) Seweryniak of Corfu. Several nieces and nephews also survive.
He was the father of the late Carolyn Ognibene. Grandfather of the late Stephanie and Timothy Ognibene and brother of the late Chester Seweryniak, Mary Soban, Irene Smart and Edward Seweryniak.
Family and friends are cordially invited to share thoughts, condolences and fond memories on Sunday (Sept. 13th) from 2-6pm at the J. LEONARD MCANDREW FUNERAL HOME, LLC, 2 BOGE AVE., BATAVIA. His Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, 11:00am at St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish, 8656 Church St., East Pembroke. Private burial will take place in Elmlawn Cemetery in Tonawanda, NY.
Memorial contributions in memory of Joe, may be made to St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish, 8656 Church St., East Pembroke, NY 14056 or St. Mary's Orthodox Church - General Fund, 940 Losson Rd., Cheektowaga, NY 14227.
Expressions of condolence may be shared with the family at: www.mcandrewfuneralhomes.net.
ARRANGEMENTS WERE ENTRUSTED TO THE J. LEONARD MCANDREW FUNERAL HOME, LLC, 2 BOGUE AVE., BATAVIA, NY 14020, RONALD KONIECZNY II, DIRECTOR & PROPRIETOR.
