Losing a loved one is heavy, and in a tight-knit place like Niagara County, finding where to pay your respects shouldn't be a secondary struggle. Honestly, when you're looking for Lockport New York obituaries, you aren't just looking for a date or a time. You're usually looking for a story. You're looking for that connection to a person who might have worked on the Erie Canal, taught at Lockport High, or spent decades volunteering at the Kenan Center.
Finding these records has changed a lot lately. It used to be that you just waited for the morning paper to hit the porch. Now, it’s a mix of digital archives, funeral home sites, and social media posts that can feel a bit scattered if you don't know the local landscape.
Where to Find Recent Lockport New York Obituaries
The first place most locals look is the Lockport Union-Sun & Journal. It has been the primary heartbeat of local news since the 1800s. While the print edition still exists, their online obituary section is where the most up-to-date information lives.
Typically, you'll find names like Richard "Dick" Ayers, a 77-year-old Buffalo native who passed recently, or Florence Danielewicz Dobrasz, a long-time resident of the Town of Cambria who was a fixture in the community until her passing on January 11, 2026. These notices aren't just names; they detail the "beloved husband," the "graduate of Niagara County Community College," and the "avid" hobbyists who made this town what it is.
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Funeral Home Digital Tributes
If you can't find a name in the paper, go straight to the source. Most funeral homes in the 14094 zip code maintain their own digital guestbooks. This is often where you'll see the most personal details—photos, video tributes, and comments from high school friends you haven't seen in years.
- Prudden & Kandt Funeral Home: Located on Genesee Street, they have a very active online portal. Recently, they’ve handled services for local figures like Lee R. Lewis and Charles Dobbs.
- Taylor & Reynolds Funeral Home: Situated on Niagara Street, they’ve been around for over a century. You’ll find detailed notices here, like the recent service for Willie Ray Bogar Sr., which included specific calling hours and burial details.
- Lange Funeral Home: A massive change happened here recently. After 44 years of service, Amy Lange Kenyon retired at the end of 2025. Now, the records and "pre-need" files are being managed by Sherrie-Bream Funeral Home over in Gasport. If you're looking for an older family record from Lange, you'll likely need to contact the Mitchell Family Funeral Homes team who took over that legacy.
Digging into the Past: Genealogy in Lockport
Maybe you aren't looking for someone who passed last week. Maybe you’re doing the "family tree" thing. Lockport is a goldmine for this because people tend to stay here for generations.
The Lockport Public Library on Floor 3 is kind of a hidden gem for this. They have a Local History Room that houses microfilm of old newspapers. They even have an obituary index for the Union-Sun & Journal covering various chunks of the 1900s and early 2000s. If you aren't in town, they actually have a "Contact Us" form specifically for obituary lookups, though they appreciate a small donation for the trouble.
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Why Digital Archives Can Be Tricky
Sometimes, names get misspelled in digital scans. It happens. If you’re searching for a relative and coming up empty, try searching for just the last name and "Lockport." Or, if it's a married woman, search for her maiden name. Older obituaries from the mid-20th century often listed women as "Mrs. [Husband's Name]," which is a total pain for modern researchers but a reality of the records.
The Role of Niagara Hospice
It’s impossible to talk about Lockport New York obituaries without mentioning Niagara Hospice. So many of the notices you read today—like the recent one for Albert D. Ventura, who passed away peacefully at home on January 8, 2026—mention the care provided by this organization.
When a family mentions a donation to Niagara Hospice in lieu of flowers, it’s a clear signal of the impact that local care had on their final days. It’s a very "Lockport" thing to do, keeping the support within the community.
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Practical Steps for Finding or Writing a Notice
If you are the one tasked with putting a notice together, don't feel like you have to do it alone. The funeral directors at places like Ross Funeral Home Gaul Chapel or Rutland-Corwin are experts at this. They know the formatting the Union-Sun requires and can help you avoid the "per-line" cost traps that happen with longer tributes.
What to include in a local notice:
- The Hook: Start with the full name and any "kinda" famous nicknames. Lockport loves a good nickname.
- The Roots: Mention the school. Whether it’s DeSales or Lockport High, these details help old classmates find the service.
- The Work: Did they work at Harrison Radiator? Delphi? Those affiliations are huge for local reach.
- The Service: Be specific about the location. Don't just say "the church." Say "All Saints Parish" or "St. John the Baptist."
Actionable Next Steps
If you need to find a specific record right now, start by checking the Legacy or Union-Sun & Journal obituary search pages and filter by the "past 30 days." If the person was a long-time resident but moved away, check the Buffalo News as well, as many Lockportians are cross-listed there.
For those doing historical research, your best bet is to email the Niagara County Genealogical Society on Niagara Street. They have records that haven't even made it to Ancestry.com yet.
Lastly, if you're looking for a way to honor someone recently passed, checking the "Donations" section of their obituary is the most direct way to respect their legacy. Whether it's the Lockport Little League or the Niagara County SPCA, these contributions keep the spirit of the deceased alive in the city they called home.