Raymond F. Westpfahl

WESTPFAHL, Raymond “Westy” Francis

94 of Lackawanna, NY passed away peacefully in his home on April 17, 2024. He was born in Scranton, PA on October 10, 1929.

Westy was preceded in death by his wife Nina E. Westpfahl (nee Ippolito), daughter Karla Szafranek, parents Alice (nee Engle) and Joseph Westpfahl, sisters, Ann Kaufman and Alice (Redmond) Welsh, mother and father in law, Josephine (nee Fadale) and Vincent Ippolito, and his sister in law, Rosita (Joseph) Phelan.

Loving father of Tracey (David) Wozniak, Raelynn (Gary) Cardinale, Paula (James) Schmigel, Kellie (Dominic) Mariani, Dana (Jason) Kirker, and Corey (late Bryant) Galbaugh. Adoring Papa of  Bobbi (Nate) Kumro, Shauna Cardinale, Jena (Adam Rucinski) Westpfahl, Joseph Cardinale, Andrew Westpfahl, Michael (Mary King) Szafranek, Hailey Kirker, and Jillian Galbaugh.  He is also survived by his faithful sidekick dog, Handsome, as well as several great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.  

Westy was a proud veteran of the Army, having enlisted at the age of 19. He was a military policeman with the Second Infantry Division.  Westy valued this service highly and attained the rank of Corporal.  He served our country in the Korean War where he was seriously wounded near the Manchurian border, but not before being credited as a hero, by another soldier assigned to the same unit, for saving the lives of 187 men through bravery in action.  For these and other actions, he was decorated with a Bronze Star with Valor, the Purple Heart, Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation Badge, Korean Service Medal, United Nations Medal and Good Conduct Medal.. 

Westy had a long career with the Lackawanna City School district and Bethlehem Steel in Lackawanna, NY.  In retirement, he enjoyed his part time role delivering payroll for ADP.  

Westy was a long time member of The Crown Club; The Barrewilkes Club; Korean War Veterans Association; Matthew Glab Post 1477 American Legion; and was the last founding member of The Flint Hollow Lodge of Lackawanna hunting club in Great Valley, NY, where he enjoyed time with his buddies hunting since 1960.  He spent many years coordinating the appreciation tent for the Korean War Veterans at the Erie County fair. In his spare time, you could find him painting, gardening, helping friends and neighbors, repairing things around the house or enjoying a meal at his favorite restaurant, Apollo. He was an amazing dog trainer, artist and had a fantastic sense of humor, always ready to tell you his latest joke. 

Relatives and friends may visit the LOMBARDO FUNERAL HOME (Southtowns Chapel), 3060 Abbott Road, near Lake Ave., on Sunday from 2-7 PM.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in St. Anthony’s Church, 306 Ingram Ave., Lackawanna, on Monday morning at 11AM (please assemble at church).  Entombment Holy Cross Cemetery.