Nelson A. Kiedrowski

Nelson A. Kiedrowski

Ontario: January 12, 2018 at the age of 72, left us peacefully with his family by his side. Nelson was born to Alois and Cecile Kiedrowski in Buffalo, NY. He is survived by his wife, Jean (Golabek) of almost 48 years:  Son, Jay (Jennifer): Daughters, Dawn (Steve) Banning, Susan (Justin) Benedict and Emily Kiedrowski. Grandchildren: Lauren Kiedrowski, Hayden Banning, Cody Kiedrowski, Andrew Kiedrowski and Austin Benedict.  Sisters: Barbara Shuckra of CT, Beverly Sojka of FL. and Darlene (Frank) Galtieri of NC. Many nieces, nephews, and extended family and friends.

Nelson served in the US Navy from 1967-1973. His first three years in the Nuclear Training Program and his last three years aboard the USS Bainbridge, a nuclear frigate, home ported in Long Beach, CA. He did three tours of the Western Pacific escorting larger ships such as the USS Independence.

Returning home, he pursued a career in the nuclear industry at Millstone Nuclear Power Plant in Waterford, CT until he retired in 2005 from the Ginna Nuclear Power Station in Ontario, NY.  He also discovered his love of construction and remodeling, which he enjoyed during his off time.

Nelson was a dedicated “family man”, raising four children, and all of their friends who were welcomed into the house.  He was always involved in their activities. He was a 4-H leader for almost 20 years, sharing his love of wood crafts and electronics. As a youth leader, he chaperoned many winter weekends teaching snowshoeing and cross country skiing.

He loved hunting with shotgun, bow & arrow, muzzleloader and just this last fall bought a crossbow with every intention of getting back out in the woods. He made homemade Polish, Italian and breakfast sausage with venison to share with family and friends. Fishing was also a great pastime. He always enjoyed telling his many hunting and fishing stories.

In addition to hunting, he also enjoyed sports. In the summer, he could be found at the baseball diamond at St. Mary’s.  He played on an all generation/gender softball team against other churches in the area. The Buffalo Bills, Buffalo Sabers and Rochester Amerks were followed closely. He was on several bowling leagues over the years and carried a pretty good average. After falling off a ladder and breaking his right arm, he even bowled left handed for part of a season. 

Playing hockey was his passion. As a youngster in Buffalo, NY, he used to walk several miles to Delaware Park to skate, wearing baseball shin pads because his mother thought the sport was too rough.  After moving to Ontario, NY in 1979, it didn’t take him long to join a men’s hockey team at Ginna and continued playing until his health forced him to only manage and coach his team at the Webster Ice Arena. He loved to play in the “Over 60’s” and even “Over 70’s” tournaments in Cicero, NY, Dansbury, CT and as far away as Maryland. These men were an inspiration to all who attended the games.

He went tandem sky diving at the age of 65, along with two of his daughters and his older sister! He jumped out of a perfectly good plane, reaching the altitude of over 12,000 feet and free falling for several minutes. He said it was an experience of a lifetime.

After retiring, he became involved with the Strike it Up Dance Studio in Ontario, NY where his youngest daughter danced. He was instrumental in remodeling their large studio, building props for recitals, and operating the control panels for lighting and sound. He could be found driving his truck towing the studio floats in the Webster and Ontario parades.

His faith and church were very important to him. He was on the Parish Council for several terms, and served as a Eucharist Minister and Lector for years.  He brought his remodeling skills to practice as he transformed the library in the parish center into offices for the staff. He was on the Building and Grounds committee during the recent roof replacement in an advisory capacity. He could be found in the kitchen during many Martha Ministry luncheons after funerals in the church, and chopping cabbage for the coleslaw served at the fish dinners during Lent.

He fought a courageous battle after being diagnosed with bladder cancer in the fall of 2015. His only regret was not being able to play hockey for his 90th birthday.

Family and friends may gather for a time of visitation from 2-4 PM & 6-8 PM on Thursday (January 18) at St. Mary’s of the Lake Church, 5823 Walworth Rd., Ontario, NY 14519, where his Funeral Mass will be held on Friday (January 19) at 10:30 AM.  Interment in Morton’s Corners Rural Cemetery in the Spring.  Memorial contributions may be made to, The Cornell Cooperative Extension, Wayne County 4-H Youth Programs, 1581 Rt. 88 North, Newark, NY 14513 or to, The Webster Ice Arena, 865 Publishers Pkwy., Webster, NY 14580, Attn: John Tuite.  A full notice may be viewed and to leave the family an online condolence, please visit www.murphyfuneralservices.com.   

 Service Information