Charles D. "Don" Courtney Sr., 96, of the Levant-Gerry Road, Falconer, passed away Monday, August 27, 2012 at the Hamot Medical Center in Erie, Pa.
Mr. Courtney was born June 9, 1916 in Providence, R.I., the son of the late Peter James Courtney and Mary Ann Hughes Courtney.
Don attended school in Rhode Island prior to serving his country in The United State Army, under General George Patton, where he served as a Platoon Sergeant with the 119th Infantry Division from February 2, 1942 until he was honorably discharged on November 11, 1945. Mr. Courtney received the Bronze Star, WW II Victory Medal, American Theatre Medal, Good Conduct Medal and the European African Middle Eastern
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Charles D. “Don” Courtney Sr.
Ribbon with three Bronze Stars.
Prior to his military service he had worked for Brown & Sharp in Providence and as a draftsman for Spencer Lens in Buffalo. Upon his return, he worked for United Lumber in Jamestown and then started his long-standing career with Crescent Tool in Jamestown where was employed from October 20, 1947 to April 30, 1978, where he also served as a past president of their labor union.
Although he did not attend church regularly, Don had a very strong and humble faith. Mr. Courtney's legacy is his family. He always stated that his best investment in life was his family, which he loved dearly and with whom he spent much of his time. He enjoyed remodeling and doing carpentry around his house, ball room dancing, reading, classical music, life-long learning and he had a passion for politics.
He was a former member of the Jamestown Veteran of Foreign Wars Post and Lakewood Rod & Gun.
He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Adria Miller Congdon Courtney, whom he married on August 29,
1945 in Buffalo; a son, Charles D. Courtney Jr. and his wife Jackie of Falconer; four daughters, Mary Ann
Courtney Keyser of Cassadaga, NY, Barbara June Courtney Washburg and her husband James of Falconer, Maureen Kay Courtney Mayer of Falconer and Carol Adria Courtney of Palm Beach Gardens, FL; fifteen grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren and twelve great-great grandchildren; a brother-in-law Rodney B. Congdon and his wife Marilyn of Depew, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by two sons, infant James Peter Courtney and Brian James Courtney in 2009 and two brothers, James Leonard Courtney and John Stanley Courtney.
There will be no visitation or services at this time.
A memorial service is being planned with a time and place to be announced later. The VanRensselaer &
Son Funeral Home in Randolph has been entrusted with arrangements.
Memorials may be sent to the Falconer Library, Falconer Fire Department or to a charity of choice.
To leave a condolence, log onto www.vanrensselaerandsonfuneralhome.com.
