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Joseph F. Cieslak, of Hornell

HORNELL – Joseph F. Cieslak, 76, of Hornell, NY passed on to Heaven, Thursday (May 18, 2023). He died unexpectedly at home after a long battle with COPD.

He was born on December 9, 1946 in Hornell NY to Francis and Dolores (Vose) Cieslak. Joe graduated from Hornell High School and was a lifelong resident. He was a member of St. Ann s Catholic Church in his earlier years.

He loved the sport of baseball and continued playing throughout the years. He coached Little League for the American Legion. His son, Joey played on this team and in1981, his father led this team to first place in the National League Championship. He also was an umpire for many years.

Joe was employed by Foster Wheeler in Dansville, NY as a welder until 1986 when he accepted a local job at Morrison Knudson and then Amerail building subway cars. He retired from Alstom. There he worked as a Quality Supervisor & Welding Inspector, being certified as a CWI/CWE. His work sent him to many US cities and around the world. After retirement, he was contracted by Bombardier as a welding inspector. Virginkar & Associates out of Boston employed him for several years. He taught and qualified workers as Certified Welders. He was a member of the American Welding Society. He was proud of his work in keeping high quality standards of procedures and policies. He was pleased when a contract was finally completed.

He was a member of the Association Club and served on the board of directors. Joe and his father started a collection of postcards and pictures mainly of the Hornell area. At one time, Joe had one of largest collections in Hornell and he loved to share his collection with others.

He watched Jeopardy nightly. He enjoyed bowling, camping at Skybrook, dancing (jigger bug), writing poems for different events for family and friends, playing horseshoes shooting “six packs” and playing slo-pitch in the Men’s League on the Medics team. He was a devoted lifelong fan of the NY Yankees, Cleveland Browns, and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. He loved to tell jokes and making people laugh. He enjoyed taking daily walks to the park with his dog, Eli.

Joe will be missed by family and friends. He is survived by his wife, Susan (Hunt) Cieslak who he married in 1993; his son, Joey Cieslak of South Carolina; two daughters, Andrea (Richard Daley) Cieslak of Canandaigua, NY and Angela (Thomas) Panter of Virginia. He adored his five amazing grandchildren, McKenna Cieslak, Kylie and Jaxson Panter and Charlie and Samuel Daley. Also survived by his sister, Dolores (Walter) Canfield, as well as their children, Christine (Orlando) Monaco, Dan (Susan) Canfield and Thomas (Veronica) Canfield. Survived by many brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Calling hours are 4-7 p.m. TUESDAY (May 23, 2023) at the Bishop-Johnson & DeSanto Funeral Home, 285 Main St., Hornell, where a funeral service will take place at 11 a.m. WEDNESDAY (May 24, 2023), with Deacon Robert McCormick officiating. Committal services and interment will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Town of Fremont.

In lieu of flowers, those wishing may contribute in his memory to the Hornell Little League.

The Bishop-Johnson & DeSanto Funeral Home is honored to assist Joe’s family with the arrangements.

Online condolences or remembrances of Joe are welcome on the Facebook page of Bishop-Johnson & DeSanto Funeral Home or at www.bishopdesanto.com.


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