William Felski, retired restaurateur, motel owner
Services were held Monday, March 5 at at Pacer Funeral Home for William Felski.

Felski

Mr. Felski, 88, of Clarence and formerly of Amherst, a long-time Buffalo restaurateur and Clarence motel owner, died Thursday, March 1, 2007, in Millard Fillmore Gates Hospital.

Born in Buffalo, Mr. Felski worked during World War II as a tool and die machinist at Curtis Wright Aircraft and was the recipient of many awards for cost effective suggestions for aircraft production.

In 1950, Mr. Felski and his wife, the former Anita Knast, his brother Henry, and sister-in-law Theresa, started Fels Grill on Genesee and Mills streets.

In 1953, Mr. Felski and his wife started Fels Lounge, a family restaurant on Walden and Harmonia.

He was a member of the Innkeepers Association of Western New York for more then 50 years and served as an officer for approximately 30 years.

From 1964 to 1972, Mr. Felski owned Fels Three Crown Motel on Main Street in Clarence. In the 1970s, he co-owned and operated QK Auto Wash on Genesee Street for several years with his brother.

He and his wife retired from the restaurant business in 1982. Their home on Maple Road in Amherst gained wide recognition for the variety of lighted displays that covered it on holidays. Mr. Felski patented and produced the custom designed outdoor light decorations up until several years ago. Since 1995, Mr. Felski has resided in Clarence with his daughter Diana.

Besides his daughter, Diana, Mr. Felski is survived by another daughter, Elaine Polvinen; a sister, Theresa Miller; three grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.