Francis Joseph “Shorty” Wisniewski, age 79, a lifelong resident of Erie, died Monday, July 21, 2014 at the Pennsylvania Soldiers’ & Sailors’ Home after a long illness. Born in Erie on October 9, 1934, he was a son of the late Stanley Peter Wisniewski and Stella Zamorski Wisniewski.

Wisniewski, Francis Joseph Francis served in the U.S. Army from 1957-59 stationed in Germany, and after returning home to Erie, was employed by Bucyrus-Erie for almost 30 years. He had many interests, but had four main passions: golf, bowling, fishing and hunting. He also was a proud blood donor for many years.

Family members that preceded him in death include a sister, Annie Mackowski, two brothers, Robert and Matthew Wisniewski, and his son-in-law, Anthony Cosentino.

Surviving family members include five children– Denise Miller of Erie, Dennis Wisniewski and his wife Virginia of Edinboro, Lori Brunner of Erie, Donny Wisniewski and his wife Dawn of Erie, and Diane Cosentino of Hope Sound, FL; eleven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren; and three siblings– Kathryn Wright (Donald) of Colorado, Raymond Wisniewski (Judy) of Erie, and Christine Rudolph (Robert) of Erie.

The family will visit with friends on Thursday, July 24, 2014 from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at the Van Matre Family Funeral Home, 306 Erie Street, Edinboro, and are invited to the funeral service there on Friday, July 25 at 10:00 a.m. Burial will be in Gate of Heaven Cemetery.