Chad J. Pchelka, 59, of Fredonia passed away on Wednesday, April 8, 2026 at ECMC after a brief illness, surrounded by family. He was born in Dunkirk on September 27, 1966, the son of the late John and Dale Pchelka.
After graduating from high school in Arizona, Chad attended college in Flagstaff, AZ. He then went on to do Grand Canyon river tours. After returning home to Fredonia, he began working side by side with his father at his car lot. Chad was a car enthusiast and talented when it came to mechanics and autobody. He had a love for classic cars and refurbishing them. He then went on to carry on the tradition of re-opening the original Lena's Pizza with a close friend of his. In his later years, he worked as a diesel-tech at Penske Trucking, and his last place of employment was Modern Window, where he absolutely thrived in sales.
Chad had a fierce love and loyalty to his family and friends. His pride and joy has always been his two sons, Nicholas and Lucas. He was involved in coaching the boys in baseball, football and hockey. His hobbies included hunting, fishing, golfing, and cooking. He took great pride in cooking family recipes that were handed down by his paternal grandparents. For many years, it was tradition to gather with his father, Uncle Vern and cousins a few days prior to the Christmas holiday to prepare homemade sausage, pierogies, rigatoni and Kapusta. Chad had a tremendous love for all of his lab pups.
Chad is survived by his loving sons, Nicholas and Lucas; his brother, Brett Pchelka; nieces, Elizabeth Shifflett and Jessica Chavarria; nephew, James Pchelka; and his beloved canine companions, Riley and Luna. In addition to his parents, Chad is preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Joseph and Lena Pchelka; uncles, Thomas Pchelka and Joseph D. Pchelka; maternal grandparents, Clefford and Dorothy Farnham; and his uncle, Daniel Farnham.
Chad will be missed immensely by all who knew and loved him.
A memorial service will be held at a later date.
Arrangements are by R. Michael Mackowiak III, R. Mackowiak Funeral Home, Inc., 56 East Doughty Street in Dunkirk.
