Don S. Weaver Sr.

He was born on Feb. 14, 1934, in Buffalo, NY, son of the late Fred L. Weaver and Ora B. (Hulburd) Weaver.

He lived in Detroit, MI for the first 10 years of his life before moving back to the Buffalo area where he became a caddy for the Wanaka Country Club and learned to play and love the game of golf. He attended Bennett High School in Buffalo, NY, where he played the clarinet in the band and orchestra all four years, graduating in 1952.

Don was a 1957 graduate of The New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University, majoring in Ceramic Engineering, to expand the technical expertise of the family metallurgy business his father started in 1944. He loved the military and joined the ROTC program in his first year at Alfred. He served at Fort Bragg, NC, attended training at Fort Belvoir, VA for several summers, and upon his college graduation, was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Army. He had the opportunity to attend the Artillery School in Fort Sill, Oklahoma and served as a Platoon Leader in a training regiment at Fort Dix, NJ. Although offered a Regular Army Commission, he opted to enter the Army Reserves and join the family business. He completed several assignments and was promoted to Capt. before resigning from his Commission in 1964 after serving 12.5 years in the Reserves.

Don joined the family business, Weaver Materiel Service, Inc., in 1958, as a salesman, and became President and CEO after his father retired in 1969. Under Don’s leadership, the company thrived, expanding its reach and reputation in the industry. Don was instrumental in grooming his son, Don Jr. (Dean), to take over the business, ensuring its continued success. Dean joined the company after graduating from Alfred University in 1984 with a degree in Ceramic Engineering, just like his father. Dean became President and CEO in 1999 while Don entered semi-retirement, serving as Chairman of the Board until his passing. He was enormously proud to witness the company’s significant growth under Dean’s leadership and had immense pride in his grandson, Drew’s commitment to the business since his joining in 2010. Don stayed abreast of the family business until his last days by reading the daily sales report and talking to Dean and Drew to learn about business developments. Weaver Materiel Service is a proud four-generation company today. Don was a lifetime member of the American Ceramic Society and the American Foundry Society, he was also active in the Cope and Drag Club, serving as its President for several years.

Don was a true gentleman and respected leader with organizations in the greater community of Jamestown and Chautauqua County. He was a 32-degree Mason – Mount Moriah Masonic Lodge #145 – and a member of the Shriners, and Jamestown Consistory. He lived by the principled values and integrity of these organizations. In addition, he was an active member of the Jamestown Rotary Club, and an original member of the Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy, where he served on the board for 19 years including president for two.

Don was an avid golfer and spectator of the sport. He and his family were members of Moon Brook Country Club where Don served as President for two years, and on the board for three years. He also held memberships at Cragburn Country Club in East Aurora, NY, and Pelican Sound Golf and River Club in Estero, FL. The family has very fond memories of watching the Masters Tournament together, with most of the family around him for his final Masters just days ago.

Don was lucky to have so many good friendships through his long-time membership in the Sportsman’s Club. Highlights of his membership include Friday night dinners, and annual Clambakes where it became a tradition for him to make the cocktail sauce.

Don was a faithful servant to God and member of the Christ First United Methodist Church, Jamestown, NY where he sang in the Choir for 25 years. In their later years, both Don and Amy volunteered for the Methodist House in Chautauqua Institution. During the winter months in Florida, Don was an Associate member of First Presbyterian Church of Bonita in Bonita Springs, FL and an active Rotarian.

He loved boating on Chautauqua Lake, and in Florida. He bought his first boat when he was 18, a 15-foot Old Town runabout, making the down payment with the sale of his clarinet. More recently, Don and Amy loved volunteering for the Lawson Center Boat Museum in Bemus Point.

In 2009, he and Amy decided to leave their Prendergast Point home, of 21 years on Chautauqua Lake and moved to Frewsburg, NY where they bought and renovated the “Buck Hollow Lodge”. Don was an avid hunter, enjoying the tranquility of nature while hunting deer, duck, and quail. He organized annual hunting trips with the boys and loved exploring the woods on his ATV, often talking to the deer he encountered.

Don and Amy officially became snowbirds in 2000 building a winter home in the Pelican Sound community in Estero, FL. There, Don could be found talking to the snowy egrets, cormorants, blue heron, alligators and turtles on his golf cart rides around the community.

In addition to golf, boating, and hunting, Don was a loyal fan of the Bills, Sabres, and Detroit Tigers. Don was interesting and witty. He could talk about anything and enjoyed meeting new people wherever he went. He was known for his storytelling, deep knowledge of his hobbies and interests, and had a gift for joke-telling. He often broke into song when hearing a word that reminded him of one. Don was a family man and wonderful father; he was loving, genuine, supportive, and completely “with it” until his time to go home.

He is survived by his devoted children, son, Don “Dean” (Debbie) Weaver Jr. of Jamestown; and his daughters, Nancy (Greg) Gilbertsen of Powell, OH; Allison Dawson of Estero, FL, and Betsy (John) Sicher of Mars, PA. Left to carry on his legacy are his 11 amazing grandchildren, Danielle (Dan) Nesselbush of Lakeview, NY, Drew (Jaime) Weaver of Mars, PA, and Douglas (Kristi) Weaver of Jamestown, Naomi Gilbertsen of Powell, OH and Ian Gilbertsen of Akron, OH, Trey Dawson of Estero, FL, Madeline Dawson of Washington, DC and Owen Dawson of Estero, FL, and Zachary Sicher of West Palm Beach, FL, Carli Sicher and Christopher Sicher both of Washington, DC; and his 3 beautiful, great grandchildren, Oliver, Eloise, and Emersyn. He has also left behind his devoted labradoodle Bemus, he affectionately called “baby doll”, who he shared with his grandson Owen. Bemus will miss her belly rubs, treats, and golf cart rides.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his loving wife, Amy (Koechling) Weaver in 2018; his brother Fred. L. (Florance) Weaver Jr.; and his sisters, June (Bob) Kauffmann, Marilyn (Henry) Chudy; and four of his nieces; his beloved dogs, Winfield, a hunting dog who was with him in his empty nesting years, and his childhood best friend, Biff; along with many good friends. What a wonderful homecoming he must have experienced as he entered the kingdom of heaven!

Visiting hours will be on Friday May 2, 4-6PM, at Lind Funeral Home, 805 West Third Street

Jamestown, New York 14701. A funeral will be held on Saturday May 3, 2025, at 11AM at Christ First United Methodist Church, 663 Lakeview Ave., Jamestown, NY 14701. A reception will be held directly following the service in Darrah Hall at the church.

In lieu of flowers, family and friends may make a donation in Don’s name to the Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy, The Lawson Boat Center, or Shriners Children’s Hospitals.

To share a memory or a condolence, please visit www.lindfuneralhome.com.