Donald Reese

Donald D. Reese, age 81 of Ransomville, died Thursday March 17, 2016 in the Buffalo General Medical Center. Don was born February 20, 1935 in Niagara Falls, NY, the son of the late W. Duane and Mary L. (Stevens) Reese. He was a lifelong resident of Ransomville and a 1953 graduate of Wilson High School. Don served in the U.S. Army from 1958 to 1960 and on September 30, 1961 he married Dorothy L. (Brown) Reese. He was a Production Supervisor, employed by Carborundum Co. in Niagara Falls, NY and retired in 1996 after 43 years of service. Don was member of the Ransomville Free Methodist Church and a 59 year member of the Ransomville Volunteer Fire Co. He was also a member of the Exempts and had served as Treasurer of both the Fire Co. and the Exempts. An original member of the Ransomville "Slowpokes", he enjoyed auto racing, fixing cars, and especially enjoyed driving his 1932 Ford. Don also enjoyed camping and meeting with the Carborundum retirees breakfast club at the local coffee shops. He is survived by his wife, Dorothy; a daughter, Sue Reese (Kyle LaRuffa) of Lockport; a son, Steve (Zyta) Reese of Lewiston; his grandchildren, Ryan and Kaitlyn LaRuffa, Scott and Sara Reese; a brother, Franklin (Elaine) Reese of Victor, NY; three sisters, Marjorie McCollum of Youngstown, Norma (William) Freeborne of Seattle, WA, and Helen (Lynn) Sherrie of Wilson; and several nieces and nephews. Friends may call at HARDISON FUNERAL HOME 3648 Ransomville Road, Ransomville on Monday from 4 - 8 pm. Funeral Services will be held Tuesday, March 22, at 11:00 AM in the Ransomville Free Methodist Church, 3924 Ransomville Rd., Ransomville, with the Pastor, Rev. William Lowery officiating. Burial with Military Honors will follow in North Ridge Cemetery, Church Rd., Town of Cambria. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Ransomville Vol. Fire Co. Ambulance Fund, PO Box 239, Ransomville, NY 14131 or to the Ransomville Free Methodist Church.