Robert C. Senko

Robert Carl Senko, “Bob,” 99, passed away peacefully on March 10, 2025, at the NY State Veterans Home in Batavia.

Bob was born to Michael and Mary Senko on January 15, 1926, in Buffalo, and grew up in the Kaisertown neighborhood, around the corner from St. Bernard’s Church. He joined the U.S. Army in April 1944 and served as a rifleman with the 86th Infantry Division in Europe until Germany’s surrender, after which he was transferred to the Asian Theatre for service in the Philippines. Bob remained in the Army reserves after discharge and was called up for the Korean War, in which he helped stem the early communist attacks, engaging in hand-to-hand combat in Korea’s freezing weather. Cpl. Senko’s military decorations include the Bronze Star.

Bob always returned to Buffalo, and worked on the Nickel Plate RR, and later owned and ran a popular Gulf Gas Station at South Park and Reading Avenues. He married Mildred “Millie” Kotecki of Buffalo in 1950. The couple had three children: Cathy (Dennis) Hagner, Bonnie (Joe) Workley, and the late Robert D. (Susan) Senko, and eight grandchildren; Brenden, Matthew (Arielle) and Julie (Brett) Laubisch; Jesse, Jimmy, and Olivia Senko; and Joe (Demi) and Keri Ann Workley, four great-grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild. Millie died in 1977, and Bob remarried to Ruth Harkleroad, who died in 2022. The family circle also includes Marilyn (nee Zgoda) Zemrac, Ricky Kotecki and the Kotecki family, and his beloved niece Dr. Sharon Levin, nephews John and Michael Senko and their families.

Relatives and friends may visit the LOMBARDO FUNERAL HOME, 3060 Abbott Rd., Orchard Park, near Lake Ave., Sunday (March 16) from 2-6 PM.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart RC Church, 3148 Abbott Rd., Orchard Park, Monday morning at 10:00 AM.

Private interment St. Matthews Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Robert's memory may be made to The NYS Veterans Home, 220 Richmond Ave, Batavia, NY 14020.