John R. Kwiatkowski
1939 - 2024

Olean, NY John R. Kwiatkowski, 85, of Olean, passed away Friday (December 6, 2024) at The Pines of Olean after a recent admission.

Born September 30, 1939 in Olean, he was the son of John S. and Anna Woytack Kwiatkowski. On April 20, 1963 at St. Jude’s Chapel in Alfred he married Jean E. Smith who survives.

John graduated from Olean High School in 1957 and from Bryant and Stratton Business Institute, majoring in business administration and accounting. He also graduated from the Bank Management Institute at the University of Buffalo.

His career was as a commercial loan officer, first for Marine Midland Bank in Buffalo for 16 years. He lived in Lakeview where he was an EMT in charge of the first aid squad of the Lakeview Volunteer Fire Department. He was also a life member of the Town of Hamburg Fire Council. He enjoyed playing softball in the Buffalo Bank League and the Volunteer Fireman’s League.

In 1976 John and his family moved back to the Southern Tier where he worked as vice president in charge of commercial lending at the former Manufacturers Hanover in Olean, a position he held for 14 years. He spent the next 7 years as vice president of the former Fleet Bank in Olean. For the 5 years prior to retirement, he was vice president of Owl Homes in Allegany.

During his working years in Olean, he served on the board of directors of First Tier Bank and was the county chairman of the American Cancer Society for 7 years when the annual fund drive was door to door in the entire county. He was a member of the City of Olean’s Revolving Loan Fund for 32 years and of Southern Tier Enterprise Development Corporation, a three-county loan agency, 30 years of which he served as president. John also worked on the annual Friends of Bonaventure fund drive for years, including one as chairman. He was chairman of the St. Bonaventure Parish finance committee for 15 years and was a past committee member of the Seneca Nation of Indians Economic Loan Fund. He taught college math and commercial lending at the American Institute of Banking.

Additionally, John was a life member of the Pulaski Club of Olean, a past member of the St. Stephen’s Club, and the Town of Olean Planning Board. He was a past member of the City Club of Olean, the Bartlett Country Club and the Birch Run Country Club.

In his younger years he enjoyed participating in sports, fishing, and camping. In his later years he enjoyed watching sports games, especially when his grandchildren were playing. He was a New York Yankees, Buffalo Bills, and St. Bonaventure basketball fan.

John leaves behind his wife Jean of 61 years; 2 sons, John (Kimberly) Kwiatkowski of Hamburg, and David (Jennifer) Kwiatkowski of Allegany; 5 grandchildren, John, Emily, Mason, Hudson, and Carson; a sister, Patricia Kenyon of Black Creek, and several nieces, and nephews, and cousins.

He was predeceased by an infant daughter, Lori Ann.

The family will receive friends on Wednesday from 4-7pm at the Casey, Halwig & Hartle Funeral Home, 3128 W. State Rd. Olean. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Thursday (December 12, 2024) at 10:00am at St. Bonaventure Church. Pastor Chris Emminger will officiate. Burial will follow in St. Bonaventure Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to St. Bonaventure Church, 95 E. Main St., Allegany, NY 14706, or to a charity of the donor’s choice.