Obituary of Robert Junke

Robert W. Junke passed away Friday, August 12, 2011 in Rochester General Hospital, Rochester, NY. Born in Ely, MN, on February 15, 1929, he was the son of the late Marko and Mary Lackner Junke. Bob served in the US Air Force from 1948 to 1952, during the Korean Conflict. Upon returning from service he worked at the family business, Grossi's Restaurant. He worked for Bell Aerospace in Niagara Falls for 35 years, retiring in 1989. While at Bell, he was a project manager for the US Navy's Automatic Carrier Landing System, where he worked on the USS Midway, USS Kitty Hawk and the USS Kennedy. Bob served on the Board of Directors for Eastern Niagara Hospital, Lockport and for Reflections. He was a member of St. John the Baptist R.C. Church, where he was a lectern and Eucharistic Minister; he enjoyed camping, hunting and fishing with his children and grandsons. In retirement he was very active in the gift shop at the hospital. Bob is survived by his wife of 59 years, Elizabeth E. (Grossi) Junke; his children Robert (Toni) Junke of Pittsburgh, PA., Dr. Richard (Suzanne) Junke, MD and Donna (Gerald) Branch both of Lockport; grandfather of Christopher, Patrick and Gabrielle Hill-Junke, Melissa, Maureen, Erin, Brian and Kelly Junke, Justin, Caroline, Travis and Nicholas Bannach; and great granddaughter Eliana Benedict. Bob was the brother of Mary (Albin) Mavetz of Ely, MN., Jean (Gary) Johnson of Reno, NV., and the late Ed (Dorothy) Junke; brother in-law of Patrina Mussel of Lockport and Pat (Phyllis) Grossi of Florida. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews. Friends may call Tuesday 1 to 4 and 6 to 9 PM, at Prudden and Kandt Funeral Home, 242 Genesee Street, Lockport. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Wednesday morning at 10 AM at St. John the Baptist R.C. Church, 168 Chestnut Street, Lockport. Interment will be in Cold Spring Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials to the Arthritis Foundation, 55 Pineview Drive, Suite 200, Amherst, NY 14228 or to Eastern Niagara Hospital-Lockport Guild would be appreciated by the family. <h3>Visitation</h3> Friends may call Tuesday 1 to 4 and 6 to 9 PM. <h3>Services</h3> A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Wednesday morning at 10 AM in St. John the Baptist R.C. Church, 168 Chestnut Street, Lockport. <h3>Interment</h3> Interment will be in Cold Spring Cemetery.