Anthony 'Tony' Kwasniewski

Boonville- Anthony Kwasniewski, 94, affectionately known as Tony, of LaChausse Road, husband of Netina, (Nina), and a former longtime resident of Rt. 26, at Stokes, passed away on Friday, February 5, 2016, at Abraham House Hospice Facility of Utica. He was born in West Leyden, on August 11, 1921, a son of Ludwig and Anna Bresden Kwasniewski. Tony grew up on the Kwasniewski Homestead Farm on the Kirk Road, near West Leyden. He attended West Leyden Central School, later receiving his GED and for a time he was employed at General Cable Co. of Rome. Beginning in 1942, during WWII, Mr. Kwasniewski served his country in the U.S. Army Air Corps; he was stationed at a base in Alaska and then at bases in the U.S., serving as an air craft mechanic. In 1945, he was honorably discharged with the rank of Sergeant. Following the war, Tony was employed as a maintenance mechanic at Revere Copper and Brass; during this time he also founded Stokes Chain Saw and Mower Sales and Service Company on Rt. 26 at Stokes. While operating this business, Mr. Kwasniewski designed and manufactured the highly successful "Block Buster" wood splitters, which he received a patent for. For many years Tony sold these wood splitters over a wide area of the northeastern U.S. and far into Canada. In 1989, Mr. Kwasniewski retired, spending winters in the Melbourne Florida area, and summers at Stokes. In 1942, Tony was married to Sophie Zacharicz; she passed away in 1979. On February 21, 1981, he was married to Netina McIntyre-Devoe, at All Saints Polish National Catholic Church in Rome. Later the couple moved to their present home near Boonville, which Tony built in 1989. Mr. Kwasniewski was a former member of All Saints Polish National Catholic Church, Rome, where he served on the construction committee when the new church building was constructed on Hickory St. in Rome. He was also a member of the Polish Home of Rome and a former director of the Polish Independent Club, the United Polka League and the Polish-American Social Club of Vero Beach, Fla. He was a past member of Boonville-Uriel Masonic Lodge # 165, F & A.M. of Boonville, where he had served as Past Master of the lodge, and later joined Trinity Episcopal Church. Tony enjoyed many outdoor hobbies with friends and family. He served as President of the Little Roaring Brooke Hunting Club in Osceloa for many years. He also enjoyed camping on 4th and 7th Lakes in the Adirondack Mountains; while sitting by the fire, Tony would love to tell stories of his life on the farm, hunting and bringing a spirit of mirth to all by telling jokes. Tony loved fishing, hunting rabbits and deer. In 1985, while hunting with his son Tom, he shot his biggest deer- a 10 point buck. Many nights were spent at camp with Lyndon Denslow, Lyndon's son, Jeff, Tony's stepson, Scott and step grandson, Zackery. Tony shot his last deer in 2009, while hunting with Scott and Zack, on the farm he owned in Smyrna, which he purchased in 1980. Tony greatly enjoyed polka dancing, weekends in the Catskill Mountains, Caribbean Cruises and touring Hawaii. In addition to his wife, Nina, Tony is survived by three step sons, Douglas DeVoe, Boonville, Stanley DeVoe, West Leyden, Scott DeVoe, Boonville; two step daughters, Christina (Tom) Robinson, Rodman and Kim Strife, Boonville; one son, Thomas J. (Joan) Kwasniewski, Westmoreland; one daughter, Janet Gagnon, Little Falls; three grandsons, one great granddaughter, 10 Step grandchildren and two sisters, Mary Dwyer, Florida and Lottie Janowski, Oneida. He was predeceased by seven brothers, Walter, Theodore, Henry, Chester, Stanley, Carl and Joseph and by sisters, Rose Szceerba, and Stella DeFlice. Also surviving are two sisters in law, Eunice, West Virginia, Beverly, West Leyden, Relatives and friends are invited to attend his Memorial Eucharist on February 18, 2016 at 10:00 am at Trinity Episcopal Church, Schuyler St. Boonville, where Rev. Linda Logan, Rector will officiate. There are no calling hours and interment will be at the convenience of the family in Wildwood Cemetery, Lyons Falls. Memorial contributions may be made to the Abraham House Hospice, 1203 Kemble Street, Utica, NY 13501, or to Boonville Fire Co. Ambulance Fund, P.O. Box 164, Boonville, NY 13309. His arrangements are entrusted to Trainor Funeral Home, Inc. 143 Schuyler St. Boonville.