Dennis Barniak of Lancaster, New York passed away suddenly September 26, 2026 at 79 years old.

The son of Stanley and Stephanie Barniak, Dennis was born in Buffalo, New York in the Black Rock area where he spent the first years of his life on ChurchHill St. At the age of four, his family moved to Honorine Drive in Cheektowaga, New York, where he grew up with his siblings Tommy, Connie, and Paul. Dennis attended Resurrection Elementary School, followed by St. Mary’s High School, where he played football and did track and field. It was in a math class in HS where Dennis met the love of his life, Kathleen Ryan, who was his high school, sweetheart, and future wife of 56 years. Dennis graduated from St. Mary’s High School in 1965 and pursued a degree in education starting at Jamestown Community College and continuing onto Buffalo State College, where he received a Master’s degree in Special Education. While pursuing his college degree, Dennis also served in the Air Force National Guard. Shortly after beginning his teaching career, he started his family with the birth of his first daughter Jeannie in 1970, followed by Amy in 1973, and Kellie in 1974. Dennis’s teaching career began with his first job as a special education teacher at McKinley High School where he taught for 15 years. His teaching career spanned for another 18 years where he taught at Riverside HS for one year and Emerson HS for 17 years, where he retired in 2002. He took great pride in his final teaching position at the Emerson Commons Vocational Food Service Program.

Dennis’s greatest love and devotion was to his family. Family was everything to Dennis! It was the most important and central focus of his life. In addition to his three daughters and son-in-laws Kurt and Kevin, he was the beloved “Boppie” to his four grandchildren, Johnny, Katie, Skyler, and Kayla. The grandchildren were a constant source of love, joy, and pride in his life and he never missed any of their school, athletic, or musical events.

Dennis was an outgoing, cheerful, dependable family man, but will likely be remembered for his great sense of humor and storytelling. He was a familiar face in the Lancaster community and was often seen around the local bike paths with his biking partner, his daughter, Amy. He was a devout Catholic who lived a life of purpose and faith. His mantra was always “Take the high road”. He also had strong Polish Pride and was an active member of the Polish Falcons for many years. Dennis had many interest and hobbies that he embraced throughout his life, including golfing, boating, fishing, gardening (especially his famous tomatoes), daily morning grocery shopping at Dashes, cooking, reading, tending to his bird feeders, attending Bison’s games with his daughter Amy, watching the Bills and his beloved L.A. Dodgers, taking walks, and especially traveling. He enjoyed two vacations to Hawaii, a golf trip to Scotland, trips to Cape Cod, Put-In-Bay, and many winters in Marco Island and Cape Coral.

Dennis is survived by his beloved wife Kathleen (Ryan) Barniak. Cherished father to Jeannie (Kurt) Wojda, Amy, and Kellie (Kevin) Crane. Adoring grandfather to Johnny and Katie Peresan, Skyler and Kayla Crane. Brother of Constance (Thomas) Fischer, Paul (Patricia) Barniak and the late Thomas (Julie) Barniak brother-in-law to Deborah Miles, Michael (Judith) Ryan and the late Lynn Ryan. Also survived by many nieces, nephews, and friends.

Family will receive relatives and friends at the WENDEL & LOECHER INC. FUNERAL HOME 27 Aurora St. Lancaster, NY Friday October 2nd from 4-7pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Mary of the Assumption Church Lancaster, NY Saturday morning at 9:30am (please assemble at church). Share condolences at wendelandloecherinc.com