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Obituary for Roman E. Zabinski

Roman E.  Zabinski
ZABINSKI - Roman E. January 7, 2014, beloved husband of Marcella (Pacer); dear father of Nina (Jonathan) Gormley, David (Laurie), Tanya (Joseph DiPasquale) Zabinski, Amy “Rio” (Ron) Ross and Julie (Zachary Smith) Zabinski-Smith; loving grandfather of Joelle (Dr. Derek) Golley, Ryan Zabinski, Arlo and Roman DiPasquale, Acier and Lily Ross and Nadine Smith; great-grandfather of Grace Golley; dear brother of the late John, Alice (Alfred) Fabiniak and Alphonse Zabinski; dear brother-in-law of Frank (Terry) and James (Joanne Cooper) Pacer; also survived by nieces and nephews. Visitation at the KOLANO FUNERAL HOME, 396 Amherst St. (near Grant), Sunday 4-8 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at Assumption Church, 435 Amherst St., Monday at 9:30 AM. Please assemble at church. Interment Forest Lawn Cemetery. Roman was former Scout Master of Troop #259 and an assistant with Troop #142. He was also a member of the Grant-Amherst Business Assoc. and Polish Cadets. The family would like to thank ElderWood at Amherst and Hospice Buffalo for their kind, compassionate care of Roman. Donations to Assumption Church Preservation Fund or Hospice Buffalo are appreciated. Online condolences at www.KOLANOFUNERALHOME.com

ROMAN ZABINSKI, FUNERAL DIRECTOR AND PHOTOGRAPHER


Roman Zabinski, born in Buffalo in 1931, passed away after a brief illness on January 7th, 2014.

Roman began his career in funeral service in 1955, working for his in-laws, Frank & Josephine Pacer. He and his wife, Marcy, both graduated from Simmons School of Mortuary Science. In 1977, Roman moved his family to Black Rock where he purchased Kolano Funeral Home located at 396 Amherst Street. For the next 17 years, Roman and Marcy focused their efforts and energy on their funeral business, the Black Rock community, and raising their five children. In 1994, Roman and Marcy semi-retired and their son, David, began overseeing operation of the funeral home.

Roman spent his professional life being of service to people. He was an avid photographer, seeing the good and beauty in everyone and everything, capturing it on film, and drawing critical acclaim for his work. Roman graduated from the Albright Art School and has had his photographs published in "Photography at Mid-Century" and "The Photographer's Eye", published by the Museum of Modern Art. His work has been exhibited at the Albright-Knox Art Gallery and Artsphere Studio & Gallery.

Roman was an active member of the Patterson Art Society and a collection of his photos is in the permanent collection of the George Eastman House and the Burchfield Penney Art Gallery. In 1979, Roman was honored to be granted special clearance for close proximity photos of Pope John Paul II at the Vatican.

Roman spent his professional life being of service to people. He was a founding member and Scout Master at St. Luke's Church for Troop #259 and served on the Troop Committee at Assumption Church as well as on the Board of Dom Polski. He volunteered with St. Vincent de Paul Society and was a member of the Assumption Holy Name Society, the Grant Amherst Business Association, Polish Cadets and the Erie-Niagara Funeral Directors Association.

Roman is survived by his wife of 59 years, Marcella (Pacer), and their children: Nina Gormley, of Bar Harbor, Maine; David, of Buffalo; Tanya Zabinski, of East Aurora; Rio Ross, of Louisville, KY and Julie Zabinski-Smith, of Cheektowaga; seven grandchildren: Joelle, Ryan, Arlo, Roman, Acier, Lily, Nadine and one great-grandchild: Grace.



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