Steve J. Washuta, age 75 of Youngstown, New York passed away Tuesday June 10th, 2008, in Mount St. Mary's Hospital, Lewiston, NY.

Steve was born in Bruno, Saskatchewan Canada, on June 8, 1933. He was the son of Rinko and Anna Washuta and was one of eight children. He immigrated to the US in 1959 to work on the construction of the hydropower project for the New York State Power Authority in Lewiston, NY as an operating engineer.

Steve began S. Washuta Paving and Trucking in 1960 which evolved into Modern Disposal in 1964, building a one truck operation into a multi-national organization. Under his leadership, the Modern Corporations, operating as 12 subsidiary companies, now employs over 700 people in the US and Canada. His achievements have been recognized by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and nationally for ?Environmental Excellence awards. He was a leader and a visionary working in the solid waste industry, accomplishing many firsts in environmental construction and holding national and international patents as a result of some of his innovative projects.

Steve, a philanthropist, displayed enthusiasm for youth programs and teams throughout the years. Steve donated land to create Washuta Park on Model City Road. His generosity and love for his community provided support for countless local groups.

As a member of the Board of Associates of Mount St. Mary's, Steves decades of involvement included support of the cardiac care rehabilitation unit, the annual Hewitt Award Dinner for local athletic and academic excellence scholarship and coordinated many other fundraising events for the hospital.

As a 45 year member of the Kiwanis, Steve, as Clam Bake Chairman, was instrumental in the current success of the annual event which raises money for Mount St. Mary's and Lewiston's D.A.R.E programs. He was awarded Life Time Membership recognition and received the Hickson Award from the Kiwanis International for exemplary service to the club. He received the Buster Lombardi Community Service Award recognizing his contributions to the area and the Kiwanis Presidential Service Award. His significant continuous donations of services to the Lewiston Kiwanis Peach Festival helped make that event the success it is today.

Steve is also a lifetime member of the Lower Niagara Moose Lodge #584 and has supported many of their charitable efforts over the years. He has also supported Artpark, the Arthritis Foundation of Western New York, Lewiston Fire Company #1, Upper Mountain Fire Company, the Youngstown Recreational Department and the Village of Youngstown Veterans Park.

Surviving is his wife Sonia, a son, Richard [Gail] Washuta, a daughter, Lorie [Richard Butts ] Washuta, his grandchildren, Joleigh, Colbie, Whitney and Broc Washuta, two brothers, John and Michael Washuta, both of St. Catherines, Ont. and several nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his brothers, Raymond and Peter Washuta, and his sisters Annie Hnatiw, Mary Potashnyk and Alice Bilinski.

The family will be present at the RHONEY FUNERAL HOME, Cayuga and So. Ninth Streets, from 2 to 8 PM FRIDAY.

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Saturday at 10 AM, at St. Peter's Church, 620 Center Street, followed by Entombment in the Gate of Heaven Cemetery Mausoleum.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Mount St. Mary's Foundation for the Steve Washuta Cardiac Care Center, 5300 Military Road, Lewiston, NY 14092.

For directions to the funeral home, click the link above.

 Service Information