06/24/2025
LeRoy James Gutekunst (1936-2025)
LeRoy (“Goodie”) Gutekunst, 88, of Hamburg, NY went to be with the Lord on June 19, 2025. He was born in Orchard Park, on June 27, 1936, to Roy and May Gutekunst. He was the youngest of six children and the only one to be born in the hospital. LeRoy is predeceased by his wife of 50 years, Judy, his parents, and his siblings, Marion (Max), Doris (Herman), Gerald (Jackie), Wilford (Shirley), and Kenneth (Margaret). He is survived by his daughter Kayann (Seth) and was a proud Papa to Avalon and Alden.
In October of 1961 he married Judy and they lived happily married for over 50 years. They had one daughter, Kayann. He loved Judy dearly and they made a great team, in both life and in business. He missed her so greatly when she passed away in 2012.
He served his country in the army. He worked at Bethlehem Steel in the mailroom, on the pneumatic tube mail system. After he was laid off, with a baby at home, he turned a hobby into a living and became a talented woodworker. He and Judy created Originals by Goodie. They made unity candles for weddings and would do home parties and craft shows with their small wood items (shelves, mirrors, napkin holders, etc.). The business evolved to the major projects of creating entertainment centers, kitchens, and decks. If you had an idea, he could draw it up and create it in a flash. He loved to make beautiful wood projects.
LeRoy was a member of Churchill Memorial United Methodist Church for most of his life. He loved his Monday Night Men’s Group at church. They would get together and make wood projects for the church fundraisers. They also loved to play cribbage and euchre afterwards.
His favorite hobbies, besides woodworking, were playing cards and working on puzzles. For years at Christmas, LeRoy and Kayann would each try to find the craziest, hardest, or most unique puzzle for each other. Many hours were spent around a table visiting and doing puzzles.
LeRoy loved being Papa to his two grandchildren, Avalon and Alden. When Avalon was young, he loved taking her on his morning runs (with Judy) to Tim Horton’s. He was a regular at Tim Horton’s, to the point that when they saw him walk in the door, they would prepare his usual order (black coffee and a glazed cinnamon roll) and have it ready by the time he reached the counter. He had many a fun conversation over coffee with any friend that would join him.
He lived out his final months at Houghton Rehab and Nursing. They took wonderful care of him. Even though his Alzheimer’s stripped him of the ability to talk and joke like he used to, many of the aides loved his personality and spent time laughing and joking with him.
There will be a memorial service at Churchill Memorial United Methodist Church, in Hamburg, on June 27 at 4:00 pm. A cookie reception will follow at the church. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in his name to your favorite charity.
