Roger P. 'Pete' Morczek

Ilion - Roger P. "Pete" Morczek, 74, of 6th Avenue in Ilion, and formerly of Herkimer and Capron Road, Lee Center, passed away on Monday May 4, 2009, at Mohawk Valley Nursing Home where he had resided since a sudden illness in 2000. He called his residence at the nursing home "his happy home," where he had many friends, and was fondly known as the "Lollipop King." A native of Highmarket in Lewis County, Mr. Morczek was born on the Morczek homestead farm on October 19, 1934 to Rudolph and Loretta LaCelle Morczek. He attended school in Highmarket, West Leyden and Constableville. He was employed as a machinist at the former Steinhorst, Inc. in Utica. He entered the U.S. Army in 1955 and served his country in Germany during the Korean Conflict era. He was honorably discharged in 1958. He returned to his employment at Steinhorst, where he made milk coolers until the factory closed. Roger moved to Ilion in 1975 and was employed at several machine shops in the area. He was of the Catholic faith, and a member of the Charles J. Love Post #406 American Legion, Boonville, and the VFW Post in Ilion. While living in Ilion he greatly enjoyed walks to Russell Park for recreation. He was an open and free spirit, who lived his life by being always willing to help someone in need. Mr. Morczek is survived by a son, Roger, a daughter, Jessica Morczek, two stepsons, Billy and Guy, and a granddaughter, Allana Proulx, all of Ilion; four brothers and two sisters-in-law, Gilbert of Constableville, Adolph and his wife, Jean, of Marengo, OH, David, and Rudolph, Jr. and his wife, Veronica, all of Lee Center; two sisters, Mary Rita Mathis of Boonville, and RoseAnna Tanner of West Leyden; several nieces and nephews; a loving special friend, Dawn; and a special cousin, Becky. He was predeceased by a brother, Robert, in 1940; two brothers-in-law and two sisters-in-law. His family wishes to extend a heartfelt thank you to Second Floor Nurses Aide David, and the staff of the Mohawk Valley Nursing Home. His funeral will be on Thursday at 1:00 p.m. at the Trainor Funeral Home, Inc., 143 Schuyler Street, Boonville, where the Reverend Lawrence Marullo, pastor of St. Mary's Church, West Leyden, will officiate. Interment will be in Evergreen Cemetery, Town of Lee. Calling hours are Wednesday 5-8 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society or to the Resident Activities Fund at the Mohawk Valley Nursing Home, 99 6th Avenue, Ilion, NY 13357.