Alfred A. Funk

Susan (James) Taylor;cherished grandfather of Brian, Nicole, Kevin, Jennifer and Kelly; dearest great-grandfather of Taylor, Matthew, Natalie, Sydney, Savannah and Sierra. Alfred is also survived by a sister, Cecelia Wegner and a brother, Francis.

Friends may call Tuesday 2-4 and 7-9 PM at DENGLER, ROBERTS, PERNA FUNERAL HOME, 8630 Transit Rd., E. Amherst (one mile north of Maple Rd., just past Klein Rd.). Friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial, Wednesday from St. Mary’s Chapel, Swormville at 10:30 AM. In lieu of flowers, memorials to Hospice Buffalo.

Alfred A. Funk, a retired Buffalo Fire Department division chief and a World War II prisoner of war, died Saturday at his home in Canterbury Woods, Amherst, after a short illness. He was 89.

Born in Portsmouth, Iowa, one of eight children, he left home after high school and worked in the Civilian Conservation Corps in Iowa, then joined one of his brothers, who had found a job in Buffalo.

Mr. Funk worked for Trico, then joined the Army and fought in World War II in Europe. Captured by the Germans during the Battle of the Bulge in December 1944, he was liberated five months later.

Returning from service, he worked again for Trico, then began a 38-year career with the Buffalo Fire Department, advancing to division chief. He retired in 1985.

His wife of 58 years, Betty M. Kain Funk, died in 2004.

Survivors include a son, Gary, and two daughters, Carol Weber and Susan Taylor.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday in the chapel of St. Mary Catholic Church, 6919 Transit Road, Swormville.