Benjamin V. Muniak

Visitation:
Monday, October 6, 2008
2:00 PM until 4:00 PM
7:00 PM until 9:00 PM
Hamp Funeral Home, Inc.
Adam & Seymour Streets
Tonawanda, NY 14150

Service:
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
10:00 AM
St. Francis of Assisi Church
Broad Street at Clinton Park
Tonawanda, NY 14150

Benjamin V. Muniak, age 91, of Crestwood Court in Wheatfield, died Saturday, October 4, 2008 at Buffalo General Hospital, after a brief illness. Born in North Tonawanda, he was the son of the late Casimir and Caroline (nee Klos) Muniak and had been a lifelong resident of the Tonawandas. Mr. Muniak was a WWII Navy Seabee Veteran, serving in the North Atlantic, the South Pacific, and was among the first troops to occupy Japan. He was employed as a tool and die maker at General Motors Tonawanda Plant for 40 years, before retiring, and was a member of the UAW 774. His many memberships include St. Francis of Assisi Parish, a life member of the American Legion Post No. 264, a life member of the US Navy Seabee of America Island X8 in Tonawanda, where he helped build and maintain the Seabee Memorial on River Road in North Tonawanda, and a life member of the Disabled American Veterans Chapter 120. Mr. Muniak was involved in many volunteer activities including serving as an assistant Boy Scout Master for Troop 164 at Col. Payne School, the Senior Citizens of Tonawanda where he played numerous roles including several years as a storefront Santa and providing tax advice for seniors; there is a recreation room named in his honor at the Senior Citizens’ Center. He was the husband of the late Ethel (nee Poeller) Muniak, who died May 31, 2007, and brother of the late Sister Mary Alan, Helen Mazur, Pearl Kloch, Anthony Muniak, and Charles Muniak.

He is survived by his son, Dr. Dennis (Debbie) Muniak of Bel Air, Maryland; his daughter, Linda (Jack) Weisenborn of Williamsville, NY; a sister, Bernadette Grzebinski of North Tonawanda, NY; and a brother, Joseph (Louise) Muniak of Cape May, New Jersey. Also surviving are three granddaughters, Stephanie (James Karl) Karsten of Snyder, NY, and Lindsey Muniak and Andrea Muniak, both of Bel Air, Maryland, and many nieces and nephews.

Friends may call from 2-4 and 7-9 PM on Monday only at the Hamp Funeral Home, Inc., Adam and Seymour Streets, Tonawanda. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 AM Tuesday at St. Francis of Assisi Church, 150 Broad Street, Tonawanda; the Rev. Michael Uebler officiating. Friends invited. Interment will be cared for privately at White Chapel Memorial Park, Town of Amherst, NY. If desired, memorials to the University at Buffalo Foundation – Geography Fund, P.O. Box 900, Buffalo, NY 14226-0900, are preferred by the family.