Obituary of Edward John Sledziona, Sr.

Edward John Sledziona, Sr. was welcomed into heaven by his beloved wife of 64 years Dorothea Bartolomeo Sledziona on March 29, 2022. He is predeceased by his parents John and Anna Pazdro Sledziona, two sisters Helen Seybold and Mary Mierek, and two brothers Joseph and Stanley Sledziona. Ed was born October 1, 1937 in Rome, NY and graduated with honors in 1956 from Rome Free Academy. He was active in High School including four years of track. He was part of the medley team which “shattered” a record set 21 years earlier in 1934 in the 880-yard medley. Immediately after graduation, Ed joined IBM. He moved to Endicott for training and wrote daily letters to his fiancée. They married on September 21, 1957 at St. John the Baptist Church and made their home in Rome, NY. They relocated several times as he pursued job opportunities living in Apalachin and Rochester. Ed worked for IBM for 36 years and as a manager retired in 1991. Later, he enjoyed working part time at Mapes Auction House as well as the “landmark original” Dick’s Sporting Goods. Ed had many hobbies and interests. He shared his sports expertise with the customers and staff at Dick’s. He was an expert golfer and taught his grandsons to golf and bowl. He was a hunter, building his own tree lookout stand hoping to bring a deer home on Thanksgiving Day. He would fish in the center of a rambling stream, middle of the ocean, or in a lake on his boat. He made his own lures and fishing poles. He was an expert game and card player and loved to place a bet at the black jack table or the race track. He was a long time Mets fan and a forever Buffalo Bills fan. He was a member of the IBM Quarter Century Club, Lady of Sorrows Church, Knights of Columbus, Elks Club, and RFA Alum. Edward J. Sledziona Sr. is survived by his daughter Darlene Sledziona Colby of Rochester NY and his son Edward J. Sledziona Jr. of Fort Lauderdale FL. He shared his love of life and sports with his son-in-law Richard Colby and grandsons Marc Colby and Scott Colby. He loved his family and extended family including Sledziona, Czop, Mierek, Pacicca, Venturo, Eidt, Tramacera as well as countless lifelong friends. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday May 20, 2022 at 11 am at St. John the Baptist Church, 210 E. Dominick Street, Rome, NY 13440. There are no calling hours. Internment at St. Mary’s Cemetery will be private. In memory of Ed, please consider donating to your church. Please remember Ed as you play cards, golf, fish, cheer on a sports team, or watch the thoroughbreds run. Arrangements have been entrusted to Nunn and Harper Funeral Home, Inc., 418 N. George Street, Rome, NY 13440.