Donald G. Konikowski, 85, of Vestal, NY, passed away surrounded by his loving family on the morning of October 12, 2020, after a brief and courageous battle with cancer. He was predeceased by his parents, Mary and Adam Konikowski; his sisters, Joan (Bob) Stebbins, Beverly (Dominick) Retorto; his niece, Joann Murphy; his nephews, Domie and Robert Retorto; his second wife, Mikki Konikowski. He is survived by his former wife, Kathleen Konikowski Walsh; his children, Jeffrey Konikowski (Jenn Hillstrand), Alicia (Chris) Adams. He was a proud grandpa to four grandchildren, Gavin and Liam Konikowski, Austin and Alexis Lewis; also several nieces and nephews.
Don was easily recognized by his height and the use of a white cane to navigate due to being totally blind. Visual impairment and blindness were part of most of his life, but it was not how he defined himself. He was fiercely independent and lived a life that hopefully inspired others to overcome disabilities of any nature. Don graduated from Syracuse University in 1959 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. He was a member of the Kappa Sigma fraternity and served on the Judicial Branch of the Student Government in several offices, including Chief Justice. Following his graduation, he worked for IBM for over thirty years in Quality Engineering and Production Control as a senior analyst and programmer. Don had many interests and hobbies over the years, including swimming, bowling, card games (bridge, poker, pinnacle), and travel. He enjoyed hosting Saturday night poker with friends. He especially looked forward to planning and visiting Hawaii on an annual basis. He not only enjoyed the weather and ocean in Maui in particular but in meeting new people as well. Don even pursued his travel hobby as a profession by going back to school in retirement and earned a certificate in Travel and Tourism from Broome Community College.
The family wishes to send a special thank you to the ICU staff at Binghamton General Hospital and Lourdes Hospice. Funeral services will be Saturday, October 24, 2020, at 10:00 AM at the Church of the Holy Family 3600 Phyllis St. Endwell, NY. Entombment will follow in Riverhurst Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the Leon Pucedo Funeral Home, Inc. 1905 Watson Blvd. Endicott, NY, on Friday, October 23, 2020, from 5 to 7 PM. Memorial donations may be sent to the Association for Vision Rehabilitation and Employment, Inc. (AVRE), a private, non-profit organization that creates opportunities for success and independence with people who are blind or visually impaired in Broome and the surrounding counties. Information on donations can be found by calling 607-724-2428, ext. 125, or at http://www.avreus.org/donate/donate-now-17.html
