Gerald (Jerry) Michael Bartkowiak

After graduating from Dunkirk High School, Jerry joined the Army and served from 1958-1962. He graduated from DeVry Technical Institute, Chicago, IL, with a degree in electronic technology. He later lived in Penfield, NY and was a volunteer fireman from July 1965-Dec. 1971 in the Penfield Fire Company.

Jerry and his first wife Betty were active members in. St. Joseph’s Catholic Church including being in the choir. Jerry worked for IBM for 25 years as a Systems Engineer in Jamestown, NY. After retiring in 1990, Karen and Jerry moved to Ohio and started to enjoy life making many wonderful memories with a small farm of Pygmy goats and sheep. They had quite a few barn cats, which were Jerry’s favorite animal. He was active as a HAM radio operator for 40 years. He served on the Parish Council and sang in the choir in Jamestown, NY and Seville, Ohio. He was Eucharistic minister, usher, and greeter at Holy Martyrs Catholic Church, Medina, Ohio. He also worked on many Cursio and prison ministry weekends.

Jerry and his second wife Karen traveled for several years to Florida in their motor home every winter and stayed in Sarasota Sun-N-Fun. Jerry enjoyed singing in the choir in Siesta Key, FL during their time when they stayed there. Jerry enjoyed building with his hands, making stained glass and he built two of the grandchildren’s cradles. He loved gardening. Some of his hobbies were trains and old radios. He enjoyed anything to do with them because his father had worked on the railroad near Buffalo, NY.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Edwin Bartkowiak and Emily K. Bartkowiak. His first wife Elizabeth (Betty) C. Bartkowiak, died 1984. His brother, Charles Bartkowiak, died 2000. His daughter, Mary Elizabeth Bartkowiak-Stebbins, died 2021.

Survivors include his loving wife, Karen. Sons, Alan Bartkowiak (Barbara), and David Bartkowiak (Christine). Step-children, William Yergin, Candi Lomas, Tammi Duplaga. Sister, Loretta (Lorrie) Wilson (Paul). Grandchildren, step-grandchildren, nephew, niece, great nephews and great nieces.

Jerry’s Mass of Christian burial was held on Wednesday, December 4, 2024 at Holy Martyrs Catholic Church in Medina, Ohio. He was buried in St. Francis Xavier Cemetery

For those that wish to honor Jerry’s memory, please make donations to any of the following: Kitten Krazy, Medina, OH, Home | Kitten Krazy, Inc. https://www.kittenkrazy.org; Bella Care of Hospice, 5000 Rockside Rd, Suite 150, Independence, OH 44131; Grace Hospice, Akron OH,44310; or St. Joseph’s parish, 43 Gebhardt Rd, Penfield, NY 14526.