Obituary of Bridget F. Bubniak

Bridget F. Bubniak, 101, of Amsterdam, passed away Tuesday, March 20, 2018 at St. Peter's Hospice Inn surrounded by her loving family. Bridget was born on March 15, 1917 in Amsterdam, NY. The second of two daughters born to the late Joseph and Marion (Sinkevich) Labunski, she was a lifelong resident of Amsterdam. As a young girl, Bridget happily recalled careening down snowy Garden Street on a sled when cars were rare, sharing homemade apple pies with friends on the porch and riding in the rumble seat of her favorite teacher's automobile. Bridget married Chester S. Bubniak on November 9, 1941. She was a Crane Operator for the General Electric Company during World War II and was proud to make her contribution to the war effort while her husband served in the Air Force. After the war, they parented a much-adored son, Thomas Chester Bubniak, born on the first day of summer in 1946. Bridget became a devoted wife and mother who made a beautiful home for her family. An accomplished cook and baker, Bridget kept her family and neighbors well-fed. Her home was a favorite attraction for the neighborhood children who stopped by on a regular basis. She was a devout parishioner of both St. Casimir's and then Historic St. Mary's Roman Catholic Churches. Mrs. Bubniak was also a volunteer and advocate over the years for the Cerebral Palsy Association and the Liberty Foundation. Bridget's beautiful smile, sparkling eyes, and gentle touch affected the many people with whom she connected. Her joyful laugh and wisdom will be greatly missed and remembered fondly by those who had the good fortune to know her. She was preceded in death by her sister, Jane Hepinstall, her husband, Chester, and her nephew, James T. Hepinstall. Survivors include her beloved son, Thomas Chester of Amsterdam; nieces, Mary Jane Flanigan, Katherine Hepinstall, and JoAnna Hepinstall of the Albany area; great-nephews, Jim (Emily) Dabek and Pete (Amanda) Flanigan; great-nieces, Lisel, Donna, and Meghan as well as several other family members. The family will receive friends on Friday, March 23, 2018 from 5:00 to 7:00 pm at the Betz, Rossi & Bellinger Family Funeral Home, 171 Guy Park Ave, Amsterdam. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday March 24, 2018 at 11:15 am at Historic St Mary's Roman Catholic Church, 156 E Main Street, Amsterdam. Interment will follow in St. Casimir's Cemetery, Amsterdam. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Eternal Word Television Network, 5817 Old Leeds Road, Irondale, AL, 35210 or to the Liberty Foundation, 43 Liberty Drive, Amsterdam, NY 12010