RICHFIELD SPRINGS - Edward Joseph Bak, 78, of Richfield Springs, passed away peacefully on Sunday evening June 6, 2010. Edward was born in New York Mills on January 15, 1932. He served in the U.S Navy during the Korean War. Edward was a life member of the Disabled American Veterans, American Legion Post #25, Mohawk, Bator Post Polish American Veterans, New York Mills, and Michael Pliseck Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #4915, Herkimer. He was a professional chef in the upstate New York area for many years, and he retired in 1989 from Richfield Springs Central Schoolas Superintendent of Building and Grounds. Edward enjoyed hunting, cooking, and playing guitar and harmonica for family and friends. He really loved a good cup of coffee. He is survived by four of his children and seven of his eight step-children and their families. Edward (Heidi) Bak of Franklinville, NJ, Carol (Rick) Starr of Richfield Springs, Rose (Joseph) DiRosa of Richfield Springs, Mary Heinz of Binghamton, Mary Ellen Ryan of Richfield Springs, Elizabeth Betty(Tom) Circelli of Port Orange, FL, Barbara (Dennis) Burton of Clifton Park, Frances (Lucas) Nolles of Latham, Suzanne (Daniel) Garbera of Richfield Springs, Sr. M. Richard of Jesus, O. Carm. (Dorothy) of Germantown, Louis (Deborah) Ryan of DeWitt, MI, and his son in law Paul Fleming of Syracuse. He is also survived by a sister-in-law Jenny Czajkowski of New York Mills, a brother Joseph of New York Mills, 56 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren; also nieces and nephews, and sisters-in-law Gladys Theobald of Whitesboro and M. Agnes Millson of Albany. He recently was predeceased by his lovely bride of 49 years, Gertrude. He was also predeceased by his parents Frank and Mary (Kazmarski) Bak, his sister Helen Roberts, stepdaughter Carol (Ryan) Fleming, son-in-law John Porter, and brothers-in-law Peter Roberts and Walter Czajkowski, sister-in-law and brother-in-law Harry and Lucy Millson, sister-in-law and brother-in-law Anna and Leo Clark, brothers-in-law George Millson and Nelson Theobald. Funeral from J. Seaton McGrath Funeral Home, 40 W. James Street, Richfield Springs on Friday at 10:15a.m. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00a.m in St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church, 35 Canadarago Street, RichfieldSprings. Interment with military honors will follow at Mount Olivet Cemetery, Whitesboro. The family will be present in the funeral home to receive relatives and friends Thursday from 4:00-7:00p.m In lieu of flowers, those wishing to remember Ed in a special way may send donations to the Richfield Springs Area Food Bank, c/o The Church of Christ Uniting, PO Box 896, Richfield Springs, NY 13439. Members of the American Legion Post #25 Mohawk are asked to meet in the funeral home at 6:00 pm. for a ritualistic service.