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Paul Gromosiak |
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A tearful Paul Gromosiak was honored this past Friday at a small ceremony in the state park to commemorate his life’s work. A retired school teacher, Gromosiak is best known as the author of more than 10 books, including “Niagara Falls Q & A: Answers to the 100 Most Common Questions About Niagara Falls” and “Zany Niagara: The Funny Things People Say About Niagara Falls.”
Along with proclamations from the city, county and state, a plaque was unveiled celebrating the accomplishments of the author and activist, beginning with a bit of his own poetry.
“Listen! Hear the wind;
“The thundering waters too!
“The gulls, soaring send
“The world of God to you”
“With gratitude and appreciation to Paul Gromosiak for his years of dedication to Niagara Falls State Park,” the plaque reads.
Accepting the honor, Gromosiak – who has been ill – quipped with Niagara Falls Mayor Paul Dyster that he hoped God would let him live long enough to see the Niagara Experience Center built. Dyster and Gromosiak worked together closely on that project, as well as the Underground Railroad Museum and Interpretive Center and the effort to remove the Robert Moses Parkway in the city.
“One of the privileges of being mayor is the ability to take part in honoring the heroes of our community,” Dyster said. “Paul Gromosiak has given of himself his whole life to celebrate our culture, history and natural environment and promote it to the world. It was only fitting and just that he himself should finally be honored for 0all the great work he has done.”
The event was organized by former city historian Chris Stoianoff.
“(State parks Marketing and Public Affairs Coordinator) Angela Berti made this all happen here,” he said. “A huge thank you goes out to her!”
Dyster said Gromosiak’s role as a Niagara Falls activist could not be underestimated.
“There are not a lot of positive things having to do with the history, the culture, the natural environment here in the Niagara region that have moved forward during the time that Paul has been on the public scene without his playing some sort of a very substantial role in them,” the mayor said.
In addition to his books, Gromosiak for years wrote a regular newspaper column that appeared in the Buffalo News, the Niagara Gazette and the Niagara Falls Reporter.