Age 86, lifelong Elba resident, retired Vegetable and Cash Crop farmer with Starowitz Bros., former Pesident of O and E Growers, Inc. and longtime Public Servant died peacefully Saturday evening January 22, 2011 at Crossroads House surrounded by his family. He was born March 20, 1924 in Elba, son of the late Paul and Anna (Stanek) Starowitz Sr. also preceded in death by brothers: Chester, Henry, Edmund and Rudolph Starowicz, Aloysius, Stephen Starowitz; sister Pauline Pcionek and grandson Lukas Starowitz. Leo was well known in Genesee County and the local farming community. Former Elba Town Supervisor, former member of the Elba Town Planning Board, former councilman, active member of the Farm Bureau, Cooperative Extension, former member of the Federal Land Bank and Farm Credit Assoc. Advisory Committee, former Chairman and member of the Elba-Stafford Agricultural Stabilization Town Committee, appointed by former State Senator Walter Floss to the Legislative Advisory Committee, former B.O.C.E.S. Advisory Committee, former Vice President Byron-Bergen School Board and instrumental in the restructuring of the School District. He often spoke on important community issues at Genesee County Legislature Meetings, member of Ascension Parish (former Sacred Heart) and its Holy Name Society along with the Polish Falcons Nest #493. A wonderful husband, father and grandfather Mr. Starowitz was still active in assisting his sons who now run the family business as Star Grower Farms.
Surviving is his beloved wife of 58 years Dolores (Wolowiec) Starowitz of Elba; sons John (Pam), Frank (Samantha), Leo D. Jr. (Debbie) and Andrew (Valerie) all of Elba; daughters MaryAnn (Dave) Dorman of Batavia, Anne (Michael) Orzech of Honeoye and Barbara Starowitz of Elba. Brother (Lottie) Starowitz; sisters-in-law Mary Starowicz both of Batavia and Jennie Starowitz of Bergen. 12 grandchildren Mary Ellen, Caitlin, Amy and Anna Dorman, Sarah and Christopher Orzech, Sean, Matthew, Adam, Leo D. III, Timothy and Kalina Starowitz along with many nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends.
Family and friends may visit from 2-8 PM on Wednesday January 26, 2011 at the Michael S. Tomaszewski Funeral & Cremation Chapel, LLC 4120 West Main Street Road Batavia, New York 14020 where prayers will be recited 9:30 AM Thursday January 27, 2011 followed by a 10:00 AM Mass of Christian Burial at Ascension Parish (Sacred Heart Site) 19 Sumner Street Batavia, Celebrated by Father Pat O'keefe and assisted by Deacon John Stone. In lieu of flowers memorials in his memory are suggested to Crossroads House 11 Liberty Street Batavia. Entombment will be in the Father T. Bernard Kelly Mausoleum at St. Joseph's Cemetery.
ARRANGEMENTS WERE COMPLETED BY THE MICHAEL S. TOMASZEWSKI FUNERAL & CREMATION CHAPEL, LLC 4120 WEST MAIN STREET ROAD BATAVIA, NEW YORK 14020 ~ FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CALL MICHAEL AT (585)343-7500.
