Obituary of Stephen Punako

Stephen Punako Bainbridge, NY Stephen Punako, 94, of Bainbridge, NY, died at the New York State Veterans Home in Oxford on Tuesday, May 22, 2018 after a long struggle with Alzheimer's disease. Born on November 1, 1923 in Glen Campbell, PA, he was the son of Samuel and Anna (Czuplak) Punako. About age 18, he joined the US Navy and served honorably for 4 years during World War II in the Asiatic-Pacific area under "31 Knot" Admiral Arleigh Burke on the USS Dyson Destroyer with the "Little Beavers" Squadron. After the war, he worked in construction, the coal mines and Modern Design in Binghamton. He gained employment at what is now Amphenol in Sidney and worked for about 4 decades, retiring as a senior design engineer with several patents. In 1956, he married Erma Bradish Lewis. At home, he always enjoyed staying busy outside in the woods or yard. He not only helped raise his four children, but 5 grandchildren when needed. He was very involved in the Local Masonic Chapter and worked with the Boy Scouts in Bainbridge. He was also a longtime member of St. Peter's Episcopal Church, Bainbridge. Stephen is survived by: his wife of 62 years, Erma Bradish (Lewis) Punako; daughters: Karen (John) Williams, Barbara Townsend, Terry Taranto and Kimberly (Scott) Peterson; grandchildren: Christopher, Mark and Eric O'Connor, Yolanda Taranto and Ariana Peterson; and great-grandchild Thomas O'Connor. Stephen is also survived by his brother, Charles (Dorothy) Punako and sisters, Kathryn Foltyn and Rose Punako, as well as many nieces, nephews and other family and friends. He was predeceased by his parents, and siblings: Frank, Mary (Louise), Ann, John, Sam, and Helen, and 3 who died in infancy. Steve will be missed by all. Friends are invited to call at C.H. Landers Funeral Chapel, 21 Main St. Sidney on Friday, May 25, 2018 from 6:00-8:00pm, with a brief Masonic ceremony at 6:45pm. A funeral service will be held at 11:00am on Saturday, May 26th at St. Peter's Episcopal Church, 1 Church St. Bainbridge, NY 13733 with a short reception following in the church hall. Burial with military honors will begin at 1:00pm in Greenlawn Cemetery, Bainbridge. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to St. Peter's Episcopal Church, 1 Church St. Bainbridge, NY 13733 or the Masonic Lodge #167, 27 N. Main St. Bainbridge, NY 13733. Condolences may be shared with the family online at www.landersfh.com. Arrangements are under the direction of C.H. Landers Funeral Chapel, Sidney.