Obituary of Donald F. Filipkowski

RIPLEY, NY - Donald F. Filipkowski, age 71, of 9386 East Lake Road, Ripley died Thursday, December 16, 2010 from injuries sustained in an automobile accident in North East Twp., PA. Don was born on November 1, 1939 in Erie, PA, the son of the late Stephen and Harriett (Ostromecki) Filipkowski. A graduate of Wattsburg Area High School, he served in the US Army, with the Green Berets from 1963 to 1964 during the Vietnam War era. Don enjoyed snow skiing and competed as a slalom skier at Peak and Peek, Holiday Valley and Cockaigne Ski areas. He was an accomplished runner having completed several local marathons and in 1996 ran and completed the New York City Marathon. He had ridden Bareback Broncos and Bulls in local Rodeos. Don enjoyed all sports. He had worked on Oil Rigs in Ohio and Wyoming, had been employed by GE and retired from PennElec as a Lineman in 2002. Mr. Filipkowski was a member of St. Dominic Roman Catholic Church of Westfield and IBEW Local 459 of Erie, PA He is survived by his wife: Cecelia A.(Williams) Filipkowski whom he married on December 30, 1967 in Erie, his three daughters: Cecelia A. (Peter) Kulak of Baldwinsville, NY, Anna M. (Scott) Dietzel of Jamestown, NY, and Elizabeth A. (James) Stelmack of Dunkirk, NY. Don was the proud grandfather of Steven and Ashley Kulak, Jacob and Brandon Dietzel and Lauren and Meredith Stelmack. He is further survived by his sister, Gwendolyn (Ann) Filipkowski. He was preceded in death by his Infant Son, Donald Frances Filipkowski, Jr., his brother, Carl Filipkowski and his two sisters, Wanda Luce and Jacqueline Filipkowski. Friends may call on Sunday, December 19, 2010, from 2-4 & 7-9 PM at the MASON Funeral Home, 37 Clinton Street, Westfield, NY, and are invited to attend the Mass of Christian Burial Monday morning at 11:00 AM at St. Dominic Roman Catholic Church, 15 Union Street, Westfield, with Father Marius J. Walter officiating. Burial will be in St. James Cemetery, Westfield. Memorials may be made to Northern Chautauqua Canine Rescue, 7540 North Gale St., Westfield, NY 14787. Log on to www.masonfuneral.com to send Don's family a message of sympathy.