Obituary of Daniel L. Zwolinski

Daniel Louis Zwolinski was born on July 26, 1936, at home in Depew, New York. His foray into the public school system began early after St. Augustine’s sent him home on account of his stomach aches, which prompted a change to Terrace K-12. He was a natural leader and was elected class president during his freshman and senior years. Dan was also elected “Boy of the Year” in the Boys and Girls Club, which went on to become one of his favorite charities. Every year, Dan would buy 10 tickets to their annual fundraiser and invite anyone to accompany him. He went on to graduate from Depew High School in 1954--the very same school his mother, his wife Joanne, and all his children graduated from. While in high school, he played on the basketball team where he was a letterman for 4 straight years. On the baseball team, Dan maintained an impressive 360 batting average, but this was not his most significant athletic achievement. Dan and Tony Wenzka played a competitive basketball game with the prize being the honor of asking out his future wife Joanne. On their first date, Joanne was invited to Dan’s house two streets over to decorate the Christmas tree. Dan and Joanne were married in 1958 on Sweetest Day, October 18th, at the Polish Depew Club. Friends and family from all around joined in the celebration; it was quite the affair. He attended Buff State—where he earned a Master of Science in Education. His teaching career began and ended in the Depew school system teaching math at both the middle and high school level after 14 years. Dan’s talents were not contained to the classroom; he also coached the high school, basketball team. Perhaps his tutelage helped a student pull off their own basketball bet to find their future spouse. When his teaching chapter came to a close in 1972, he was given an award of appreciation from the Depew Teachers Organization (DTO). Dan moved on to join the New York State United Teachers (NYSUT) association to negotiate contracts, mediate, and arbitrate for teachers across nine different school districts throughout Western New York. He became a wiz at spreadsheets to keep things in order. Dan was an advocate with NYSUT for 25 years. During this saga, he developed numerous significant relationships and accomplished many things. In 2007 he became the primary caretaker of his wife Joanne, who suffered a major stroke, until her passing in 2016. His generosity knew no bounds, and he put his time into philanthropy. He was inducted into the Depew Wall of Fame in 2014 in the "Honored in the Community Service" category. He loved to pass along his infectious smile and snarky sense of humor to one and all. Dan was a social butterfly, a Buffalo Bills fan, and he enjoyed the Manhattan Up Sweet. He regularly grew beautiful roses in his backyard. We all knew we could go to him for help with anything math-related. He was the kind of man we all cherished and will all remember. In his own words at the age of 18, Dan said he was a man who drew his strength from all. We are drawing strength from his loving spirit in his absence. Dan is the Beloved husband of the late Joanne (nee Gorczycz); Devoted father of Darlene, Darryl (Lettie), John (Kathleen); Loving grandfather of Tyler Deleff, Emily Deleff,, Christa (Matt) Wall, Angela (Steve) Cook, the late Sara Zwolinski and five great grandchildren; Dear brother of late Alfred. Also survived by nieces and nephews. Visitation in the Cichon-Borgosz Funeral Home, Inc., 4929 Broadway, Depew, Sunday 11 AM.-3 PM. where a Funeral Service held Monday at 10 AM. Relatives and friends are invited