Henry J. Sustakoski “beloved uncle”
KENMORE, N.Y.- Henry J. “Hank” Sustakoski, 89, of Kenmore,
passed away on Friday, February 2, 2018, in Brothers of Mercy Nursing Home,
Clarence, after a long illness.
Born on January 12, 1929 in Wayne, he was a son of John and
Stella Drozd Sustakoski.
Henry graduated from Hammondsport High School, class of
1947, in Hammondsport. In 1952, he
graduated from the University of Buffalo with a Bachelor’s degree in
Philosophy.
He taught English until he was drafted in the U.S. Army
where he served from 1954 to 1956 as the Post newspaper editor at Fort Myers,
Virginia. From 1956 to 1961 he resumed
teaching English and Journalism at the Akron Junior-Senior High School in
Akron.
In 1961, Henry went to graduate school at the University of
Buffalo where he earned a doctorate in Linguistics. He won a scholarship for directing a research
project in the application of Linguistics for high school and college
levels. This was the best research
proposal ever received under President Kennedy’s Project English Program. An English textbook was the result of this
research project. In 1964, Henry became
a professor at Buffalo State University where he taught English and Linguistics
and became Chairman of the English Department, retiring in 1995.
Henry was Catholic by faith.
He enjoyed his sports cars and traveling abroad, especially to Poland
where he visited his aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Surviving are three nieces, Jerri Olmstead, Janet Dunsmore,
and Helen Payne, all of Shinglehouse, Pa.; four nephews, Larry Phillips of
Springboro, Pa., Alan (Helen) Sustakoski of Morgantown, WV, Rick (Linda)
Sustakoski of Pittsburgh, Pa and Ron (Chris) Sustakoski of Roanoke, Va.; and
several grandnieces and grandnephews.
In addition to his parents, Henry was predeceased by a
sister, Jennie Phillips; two brothers, Edward Sustakoski and Charles
Sustakoski; and a grandnephew, Bradley Phillips.
Family and friends are invited to attend a graveside funeral
service at 11am on Tuesday, February 6, 2018, in Maple Grove Cemetery,
Shinglehouse, with the Rev. Thomas Brown, pastor of St. Theresa Catholic
Church, Shinglehouse, Pa., officiating.
Members of the Potter County Honor Guard will accord
military honors on Tuesday in the cemetery.
Henry’s family has entrusted his care to Kevin J. Dusenbury,
funeral director/owner of the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home, Shinglehouse.
In lieu of flowers, may be made to a charity of the donor’s
choice.
To express condolences or share a fond memory of Henry,
please visit www.virgillhowardfuneralhome.com.
