Edward "Cherry" Wisniewski, Jr.

Edward F. “Cherry” Wisniewski Jr. of South Martin Street, Dunkirk died Monday, March 2, 2020 at Brooks Memorial Hospital with his loving family by his side.

He was born September 22, 1928 the son of the late Edward Sr. and Anna (Zwolak) WisniewskiHe graduated from Dunkirk High School Class of ’46 and began work with his father and grandfather as plastering contractors known as “Ed Cherry & Sons”. In 1956 he went to work at True Temper Corp. and became active with the United Steelworkers Union Local No. 2189 serving as trustee, grievance man, financial secretary and President until its closing. He served as compensation Agent for District 4 for 25 years. After the closing of True Temper he worked at Dunkirk Ice Cream and then served as Assessor for the City of Dunkirk. He also served fourteen years as Bingo Inspector for the City of Dunkirk.Ed served during the Korean War from 1951 – 1953. He was discharged with the rank of Sergeant.

Ed’s passion in life was the Dunkirk Little League Program. In 1960 he served as Manager, in 1968 he served at Vice-president and in 1969 became President. He completed 50 years of service in 2009 having served forty years as President. It was always Ed’s dream to have all youngsters who wanted to play Little League not be turned away because of a lack of fields. He worked with the City of Dunkirk to accomplish this goal. A second field was constructed. In 2006 the City of Dunkirk and Mayor Richard Frey honored Ed in naming the Little League Field Complex the “Ed Wisniewski Field of Dreams” as his wish had come true for the youth of the City assuring each youth the chance to play.

He was inducted into the Western New York Softball Hall of Fame in 1979. He received the Northern Chautauqua County Good Neighbor Award from Norstar Bank, the Adult Service Award from the City of Dunkirk, the Meritorious Service Award from Dunkirk Recreation during Youth Recognition Week and the Humanitarian Award from the Knights of Columbus and Masonic Charity Association.

Ed enjoyed playing bingo, taking car rides, watching the Buffalo Bills and Buffalo Sabres and most of all being around his family. He was a volunteer at St. Hyacinth’s Parish working Bingo and working their lawn fete. He also volunteered at St. Columban’s on the Lake working at their bingo game.

Ed was married to the love of his life Genevieve (Jenny) Tofil who died April 25, 2016. He is survived by his three sons David (Elisabeth) Wisniewski of Zellwood, FL, Gregory (Kathryn) Wisniewski of Silver Creek and Mark (Lynn) Wisniewski of Dunkirk and his daughter Carol (Kevin) Ahlstrom of Dunkirk. He is also survived by his brothers James (Carolyn) Wisniewski and Joseph (Pauline) Wisniewski of Dunkirk and his sister Mary Ann (Donald) Dawson of Stow, OH.Ed had ten grandchildren Michael (Robin), Lori (Amauri), Paul, Lynn (Dave), Steve (Emily), Matthew (Jessica), Jacob (Katie), Stephanie (Ryan), Megan and Nicholas and fifteen great-grandchildren Ryan, Kara, Anna, Aiden, Ian, Katelyn, Wayne, Arbor, Reagan, Amelia, Abigail, Olivia, Jocelyn, Nora and Jonah.He was preceded in death by his brother Norman Cherry, his Sister-in-law Pauline Cherry, infant sisters Blanche and Jane and a great-niece Stasha Rozmin.

Friends may call at the R. Mackowiak Funeral Home Inc., 56 E Doughty Street today, from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m.Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial to be held Friday, morning at 10 a.m. in Blessed Mary Angela R.C. Parish – St. Hyacinth’s Worship Site. Interment will follow in St. Hyacinth’s Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Dunkirk Little League, c/o Gary Haase, 229 Nevins Street, Dunkirk, NY.