Obituary of James E. Pacanowski

WESTFIELD - James E. Pacanowski, age 73, of Union St., Westfield, died unexpectedly, Friday, March 4, 2016. James was born on February 27, 1943 in Buffalo, NY, the son of the late Edmund Alfred and Regina (Wichrowski) Pacanowski. A graduate of Bishop Timon High School and Erie Community College, Jim had been a Westfield resident since 1965. He moved here from Hamburg, NY and originally worked for Welch foods in the offices and then started a career in Land Surveying. He had worked for the former Core Area Preservation Co. in Dunkirk for several years and had also been employed by many townships and municipalities in the Zoning and Code Enforcement offices. Most recently and notably, Jim was employed by the Village and Town of Westfield and the Town of Perrysburg, NY as their Code Enforcement Officer. Mr. Pacanowski was an active member of the fire Department of Westfield, Cascade Hose Co. #1 as well as a 52 year member of the Department. He had served in all capacities including Company Officer, Assistant Chief, Rescue Squad Captain and Secretary of the Department for over 20 years. He was a member of the Westfield Fireman's Exempt Association and was a life member of the SWAVF where he had served as Secretary and Treasurer. He was also a life member of FASNY. Jim had received numerous awards for his dedication to the Volunteer fire Services. He enjoyed playing cards, following NASCAR (Jeff Gordon), the Buffalo Bills and collecting firefighting memorabilia. He is survived by his wife: Mary V. Pacanowski, whom he married on February 27, 2016 in Westfield, his one daughter: Dr. Kathryn M. MacNeil and her children, Alex and Abby of Maineville, OH and his two sons: James (Margaret) E. Pacanowski, II and their children, James III and Molly, of Ventnor, NJ, and Stephen (Jamie) J. Pacanowski and their children Iris, Aaron and Wyatt of Westfield. He is also survived by his three sisters: Carol Hunt of Warsaw, NY, Joyce Spruce of Chaffee, NY and Patricia Mombrum of Herscher, IL and his one brother: Gerald Pacanowski of Chaffee, NY. Jim is further survived by Mary's 4 children and her 8 Grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Margaret "Marge" (Cegielski) Pacanowski whom he married on October 26, 1963 and who died on August 30, 1998 and by his brother, Larry Pacanowski. Friends may call at the MASON FUNERAL HOME, 37 Clinton St., Westfield, NY on Sunday, March 6 from 1 PM until 5 PM and again on Monday, March 7, from 3PM until 7 PM. A Mass of Christian burial will be held 10:00 AM on Tuesday, March 8, at St. Dominic RC Church, 15 Union St., Westfield, NY with Fr. Joseph Walter officiating. Burial will be in St. James Cemetery. Memorials may be made to SWAVF, c/o Treasurer Bruce Isaman, 5454 Rt. 353, Little Valley, NY 14775. Log on to www.masonfuneral.com to send the Pacanowski family a message of sympathy, to light a Memorial Candle or for further information.