William Cummiskey

1929 - 2025

William James Cummiskey, 95, of East Aurora, N.Y., passed away Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025, at Veterans Hospital in Buffalo, N.Y.
Born March 2, 1929, in Bradford, he was a son of the late Francis "Frank" and Mary Ellen (Hogan) Cummiskey.
Bill was a 1947 graduate of St. Bernard High School and attended University of Tulsa, Canisius College and University at Buffalo.
On Jan. 5, 1948, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving in Korea on LSM 419, and was stationed at Destroyer Base, San Diego, Calif. The battles he served in during the Korean War include Inchon Landing 1950, Evacuation at Hungnam 1950 and First U.N. Counter Offensive 1951. He was honorably discharged on Dec. 19, 1951.
On Feb. 22, 1952, he married Ardeth (Williams) Cummiskey, who preceded him in death Oct. 8, 2005. Then on Aug. 2, 2008, in St. Bernard Church, he married Mary (Wise) Bickel Cummiskey, who preceded him in death on March 15, 2014.
Bill was employed at Cornell Aeronautical Laboratory, which became Calspan, and later he retired from the Department of Defense at the Defense Logistics Agency in Buffalo.
He was a member of Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church in East Aurora and St. Bernard Church. Bill enjoyed his family and being active and was always there for his siblings, and to assist his brother John and sister Ann in their later years of life.
Surviving are three sons, Robert (Elizabeth) Cummiskey of Lancaster, N.Y., Daniel (Marianne) Cummiskey of Clarence, N.Y., and John (Salvina) Cummiskey of Lancaster, N.Y.; three stepchildren, Barbara (Mike) Speer of Seneca, S.C., Peter (Joellen) Bickel of Gibsonia and James (Beth) Bickel of Aurora, Ohio; 22 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
In addition to his parents and both wives, Bill was preceded in death by one son, William Cummiskey; two brothers, John Cummiskey and Francis "Frankie" Cummiskey; and two sisters, Mary AuBuchon and Patricia Ann Cummiskey.
Family will receive friends 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday (March 1, 2025) at St. Bernard Church, where a Mass of Christian burial will immediately follow with the Rev. John Jacquel, pastor, as celebrant. Following the Mass, full military honors by members of the U.S. Navy and the Honor Guard from American Legion Post 108 of Bradford will be accorded at St. Bernard Cemetery.
Funeral arrangements are under direction of Hollenbeck-Cahill Funeral Homes Inc.
Memorial contributions, if desired, may be made to St. Bernard Church or a charity of the donor's choice.
Online condolences may be expressed at hollenbeckcahill.com.