He was born in Buffalo, NY, a son of the late Joseph J. Wolak and Stephanie Wlodarczyk Wolak.
He retired from Attica Central School as a teacher of English and was Attica Town and Village Justice for over 17 years, retiring in November of 2015. An active outdoorsman, he taught DEC Hunter, Archery, and Trapper education courses for 20 years. He was active with dogs and held offices in several dog clubs. German Shorthaired Pointers were his favorite. He established Wag-Ae-Kennels and developed many champions and field winners. He was also an AKC Show and Field Judge.
Joseph served in the U.S. Air Force, was a member of the NRA, served on many community committees and groups including the Board of Directors of the Cooperative Extension of Wyoming County, and was a leader and longtime supporter of 4-H.
Survivors include his wife of 63 years, B. Arlene Mast, daughter of the late Susan and Daniel Mast; Daughters, Nancy Gross of Pavilion and Karen (John) Brown of Batavia. Sons, Jeffrey (Vicki) Wolak of Bethany and Jonathan (Deborah) Wolak of Varysburg. Sister, Joan (Paul) Schaefer of Clarence and brother, Eugene (Patty) Wolak of Syracuse. Sister in-laws and brother in-laws, Mildred (late Carlton) Graff of Lyndonville, Mary (late Don) Penninger of NC, Doris Brand of Ohio, Carol (late James) Webster of Akron, NY, Ruth (Robert) Crane of Arkansas, Paul (Candy) Mast of SC and the late Alice (James) Hendry. 10 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren also survive.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, January 23, 2016 from 2-4pm at the J. LEONARD MCANDREW FUNERAL HOME, LLC, 2 BOGUE AVE., BATAVIA, NY. A memorial service will be held at a later date.
Memorials may be made to Roswell Park Cancer Institute, American Heart Association or Hospice and Homecare of Wyoming County. 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.
