Henry J. Pawlak

Obituary of Henry J. Pawlak Henry graduated from Buffalo Technical High School and and Canisus College for 3 years majoring in chemistry. He operated family farms in Youngstown and Newfane and later worked as an analytical research chemist for the National Aniline and Dye Co. in Buffalo. Henry began his grocery business in 1952, buying a delicatessen in Buffalo from his. The family moved to Lyndonville in 1958, buying the Pennysaver Market. Anxious to expand, the family purchased a Bells franchise and opened a new supermarket in Albion in 1968. The store changed to Pawlaks Shurfine in 1996 and is now the present day Pawlaks Save-A-Lot. Henry loved music and was a member of the Polish Singing Society in Buffalo and enjoyed playing the violin. He was a member of St. Joseph's Church in Lyndonville where he served as a trustee, a member of the Parish Council and had also been a tenor soloist and choir member for over 45 years. Henry was a member of the Lions Club and had received a 25 year Monarch citation. He served as director of the A.A.A. for 21 years, a member of the Knights of Columbus, director of the Curtis Foundation and was active in Catholic Charities. He was an active council member of the National Federation of Independent Business, a member of the National Grocers Association, past vice president of Bells Supermarket Association and member of the United States and Albion Chambers of Commerce. He was past president and campaign chair of both Western and Eastern Orleans United Way and was active in each campaign or over 40 years. Awards received by Henry included the Chromatic Music Award, the Good Turn Award from the United Way, Boy Scouts Distinguished Service Award, and the Silver Beaver Award, Bells Retailer of the Year Award in 1983, the Community Service Award from Orleans County Community Action, Lay Award of St. Joseph Church from the Catholic Diocese of Buffalo, Orleans County Citizen of the Year in 1985, Distinguished Member of the Who's Who Worldwide Registry of Business Leaders and the Melvin Jones Fellow Award from Lions Club International. Henry was an active Scouter and had served on the troop committee for Lyndonville Troop 25. He had served as both vice president and president of the Lewiston Trail Council, served as a board member of the Council for 31 years and had been a National Council delegate. He served as Council Endowment Committee chairman, Long Range Planning Committee chairman, chairman of the Finance Committee and served on the Advisory Board for the Council.