Notable people from Lackawanna

• R. J. Adams aka Bob Shannon, film/TV actor, radio personality (WKBW)^[25]
• Father Nelson Baker, Roman Catholic priest responsible for building the Basilica of Our Lady of Victory. This "Padre of the Poor" established social programs (for orphans, people with disabilities, unwed mothers, etc.), which still serve over 2,500 people a day.
• John Batorski, former professional football player
• Ann Burke, Second (after Sports Babe) female sports radio call-in host in America (Bob & Ann Show, WGR)
• Raymond Castilloux, racing cyclist, winner of first place classification at New York Central Park representing US cycling team at the Tokyo 1964 Olympics
• Raymond F. Gallagher, former New York State Senator
• Marie Gannon, former Erie County legislator
• Joe Hesketh, former Major League Baseball pitcher who played from 1984 through 1994 for the Montreal Expos, Atlanta Braves and Boston Red Sox
• Ron Jaworski, ESPN broadcaster and former quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles, Los Angeles Rams, Miami Dolphins, and Kansas City Chiefs^[26]
• Daniel M. Kozub, former Erie County legislator and City of Lackawanna Councilmember
• Edward J. Kuwik, former Erie County legislator
• Mike Mamula, defensive lineman at Boston College who was selected #7 in the first round by the Philadelphia Eagles in the 1995 NFL draft^[27]
• Pat McMahon, former college baseball coach
• John C. Ogarek, former Erie County Legislator and Mayor of Lackawanna
• John R. Pillion, former US congressman
• Mark Poloncarz, current county executive of Erie County and a 2004 and 2008 delegate to the Democratic National Committee's National Convention
• Francis J. Pordum, former New York State Assemblyman
• Frederick F. Pordum, former Erie County Legislator
• Connie Porter, author best known for her books for children and young adults^[28] Her novel All-Bright Court is set in Lackawanna.
• Ruben Santiago-Hudson, actor and playwright. He set his musical Lackawanna Blues in the Lackawanna community of 1956.^[29] Major acting role was in ABC series "Castle." In 1996 he received Tony Award for performance in "Seven Guitars".
• Dick Shawn, actor/comedian/singer who was born Richard Schulefand. His parents owned a store in Lackawanna. Dick Shawn appeared in The Producers and It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World among others.
• Dr. Lonnie Smith, award-winning jazz organist who has worked closely with George Benson; he has also appeared with Dizzy Gillespie, Gladys Knight, and Dionne Warwick.
• Margaret M. Sullivan, New York Times public editor who also serves on the Pulitzer Prize Board. Previously editor of The Buffalo News.^[30]
• John B. Weber, became the youngest colonel (age 20) in the Civil War after his appointment to the 89th United States Colored Infantry. He was elected to Congress and served one term from 1885 to 1889. Weber was also the first commissioner of the immigration station at Ellis Island