Edward S. Witko

EDWARD STANLEY WITKO , age 88, of Dryden, NY passed away Friday, March 12, 2010 at the Cayuga Medical Center at Ithaca. “Ed” was born Feb. 16, 1922 in Hudson, NY, a son of the late Stanley M. and Anastasia Shenko Witko. He was graduated from Hudson High School and on Dec. 8, 1941 enlisted in the US Navy, serving onboard the USS Canberra in the Pacific Theater. Ed was a radio operator/weapons engineer on an OS2U Kingfisher. He (and the pilot) was awarded 5 air medals for rescuing downed pilots. After returning from the war he was graduated from Springfield College with a BA in Education and was married to the love of his life, the former Marion Carey, on May 4, 1946. Ed began his physical education teaching career at Berlin High School and in 1951 relocated to Onteora High

He was a member of the Leonard T. Spaulding Post #1134, American Legion and the Dryden Township Post #8158, Veterans of Foreign Wars, a member of the Knights of Columbus, Rotary and was a Communicant of Holy Cross Church. Marion and Ed spent 28 winters in Vero Beach, FL where he continued to enjoy fishing and playing golf. A kind and generous man and a “good sport”, Ed will be greatly missed.

Survivors include his loving wife, Marion, his children, Susan (Noah Klein)Plunkett of NYC, Stanley (Jing) Witko of Dryden, Anne (Robert) Timmerman and Edward (Linda)Witko of Dryden; grandchildren, Jessica Van Sickle, Stanley Witko, Megan (Jason) DeHaas, Jordan Witko, Christopher Witko, Jodi DiZhao, Anastasia Khadivi; a great grandson, Leif DeHass; nieces, nephews and cousins. Ed was predeceased by his siblings, John and Otto Witko, Veronica Mahota and Lottie Vandyke.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 AM, Saturday, March 20, 2010 at Holy Cross Church, 375 George Road, Freeville, NY with Rev. Scott Kubinski officiating. Delayed burial with military honors will in Willow Glen Cemetery, Dryden. Friends are invited to call from 5 to 7 PM, Friday, at the Perkins Funeral Home, 55 West Main St., Dryden. Memorials are graciously directed to Holy Cross Church. www.perkinsfuneralhome.com

School. After earning his Masters Degree he was appointed as the High School Principal at Onteora, a position he held until 1967 when he became the Assistant Superintendent of the TST BOCES. Ed retired from BOCES as the Superintendent in 1980.