Joseph Gunta

Joseph Gunta 1926-2021 Passed away at Harris Hill Nursing Home on February 16, 2021, after a brief illness with Covid-19. He was just short of his 95th birthday. A devoted husband to Angela “Angie” (McCarthy) Gunta 1920-2012, they shared 58 years of marriage. Born Philipsburg PA, he was the last of 13 children born to the late George and Mary (nee Margo) Gunta in Philipsburg PA and raised there on the family’s dairy farm. A loving father and deeply missed by his daughter Margo and son-in-law, Richard Martin, of Toronto Canada. Survived by his brother Stephen Gunta, of Irving Texas. A Veteran and a patriot, he served in the Navy during WWII as a helmsman, on the USS Dayton in the South Pacific. After his service he returned to Phillipsburg and was briefly married to Betty Jean (Crago) Port, his childhood sweetheart. In the early 1950s, he moved to Western New York where he worked briefly in the Chevrolet factory, until finding his niche in the dry cleaning profession. He was the owner and sole operator of Gunta’s Cleaners and Sunbrite Laundromat in North Tonawanda, for over 55 years. Well known in the community, and a good friend to many. Behind the counter in his shop, Mr. Gunta always offered up a big smile and guaranteed to have a gumball ready for his ‘little customers’, often with a friendly dog at his side to entertain the animal lovers. He was playful and always ready for a joke. He completed over 50 years of volunteer service with the North Tonawanda Live Hose Company and was a long-time member of the Tonawanda’s Sportsmen’s Club. He spent the last 2 years of his life at Garden House, on the Weinberg Campus in Getzville, NY. There he was a much-loved resident, known for his sense of humor and easygoing manner. Joe had great appreciation for the caring staff members and nurses. He loved sharing his knowledge of the wildlife that surrounded the campus. He was a special “Uncle Joe” to many nieces and nephews, viewed as the last of their family’s “Great generation of uncles & aunts”. Early memories… “Uncle Joe was the handsome man in the shiny convertible, who picked up Aunt Angie for dates.” Remembered later for the rides he would give them on his motorcycle. But always, remembered for his many dogs. “Uncle Joe loved dogs and took great pride in owning, breeding and training them.” Fond memories of the little terrier he gifted his bride to be to on their engagement, and attended their wedding, with its harness wrapped in white silk ribbons. There was a very long line of hunting dogs and rescues, in the Gunta family home. He bred Beagles and owned several Hungarian Vizslas, but everyone remembers best, his prized and titled, German Shorthaired Pointer, Herbie. Family gatherings were his joy. You could count on his infectious smile while balancing a generous plate of food. As young people, many of his nieces and nephews spent time with him at his dry-cleaning establishment, where he would give them little jobs to do. Generous and considerate, he’d pay his little helpers with cash and popsicles. Always with a story to tell. “If you stopped by his business or home, it might be hard to get out the door; but you left with a laugh and a new story to tell.” He was a favored uncle. “Fun-loving yet grounded with his responsibilities towards his family.” Reputed for his “kind and quiet nature” and “lived a life that touched many people.” A part of Joe’s heart remained with the verdant hills of Pennsylvania. He was a true outdoor sportsman, with a passion for hunting and fishing. If after a day’s hunt was unsuccessful, he never brooded; he’d be grateful for the quiet time spent in the woods. “Memory bank …In true Pennsylvania hunting style, he told me how to hunt for deer. You put out a bag of molasses coated cracked corn, sit inside the warm cabin with the window open.” Rest in Peace Dad Family and friends may call at Wattengel Funeral Home, 533 Meadow Drive, North Tonawanda NY, (716) 693-0440, Friday October 14, 2022 from 10:00AM to 11:00AM, where a celebration of life will be held at 11:00am. Followed by interment at, Olivet Cemetery, Elmwood Avenue, Kenmore NY. Joe was a supporter of many fine charities and organizations. In lieu of flowers donations can be made in his memory to: Weinberg Campus Mail Completed Form with Gift to: Weinberg Campus Attention: Donations 2700 North Forest Road Getzville, NY 14068 https://www.weinbergcampus.org/about-us/donate/ Alzheimer’s Association, Western New York Chapter https://www.alz.org/wny SPCA Niagara County https://www.niagaraspca.org/home Erie County https://yourspca.org/

Joseph Gunta

May 29, 1926 - February 16, 2021