Obituary of Benjamin C. Trudnowski

Benjamin C. Trudnowski, residing at the Newfane Rehab and Health Care Center, went to be with the Lord on May 6, 2020. Born on October 23, 1944 in Buffalo, Ben was the son of the late Catherine (Rundio) and Benjamin P. Trudnowski and brother of the late Rita (former Bisher) Doty. He never got to know his father since his father was killed in Iwo Jima on February 19, 1945. Ben had been employed by the City of Lockport in the Streets Department for several years. He was a faithful member of the former St. Mary’s Church where he served as an usher and was a member of the Knights of Columbus. During his working years Ben bought several properties in Lockport where he used his handy man skills to fix them up to later sell. Following retirement, he became a permanent resident of the Mount View Nursing Home in Lockport and when that facility closed he moved to the Newfane Rehab and Health Care Center where he was loved and respected by the many residents and staff. Ben was very religious, loved attending church services, and was a man of strong faith, known by everyone for his powerful prayers. He had a passion to do God’s work and felt the best place for him to serve the Lord was at the Rehab where he never missed church services and spread the word whenever he had the opportunity. He enjoyed playing cards, was a regular at the weekly bingo games, and looked forward to the parties, especially the Christmas sing-a-long party. Ben loved to eat out and his favorite place to go was La Port’s where the owner and waitresses still remembered him years later when he celebrated his last birthday. He had the biggest heart and wanted to help others in any way that he was able. He was active in the Salvation Army’s red kettle campaign, where he could be seen ringing the bell even on the coldest days last Christmas season. He loved his family and friends dearly and always remembered them on their birthdays and holidays. Ben is survived by his niece, Diana (David) Gerland, nephew James (Joanna) Bisher and their children Jacob and Jonathan (Chloe and James), cousin Martha Chilcott, who was more like a sister and was always there for him throughout his entire life, helping him with whatever he needed, local cousins Mary Ann Cutter, Joseph (Beverly) Rundio, and several other cousins. Ben was predeceased by his dearest friend Rosemarie Krohn. Ben was surprisingly good with numbers and it is devastating that he became a number in the horrific COVID-19 pandemic. His family would like to extend their sincere thanks to the staff at Newfane Rehabilitation and Health Care Center for taking such wonderful care of Ben and making it his loving home for so many years. Private graveside services were held in St. Patrick’s Cemetery on May 13, 2020.