Beatrice Price and her brother, Leon, died of COVID-19 within less than two weeks of each other.

High school students in northern Chautauqua County and Gowanda High School who are considering employment in education or a closely related field can now apply for two new scholarships that are being offered in honor of Beatrice and Leon Price, respectively, both Dunkirk residents who recently died as a result of COVID-19.

Applicants must be in the upper third of their graduating class and submit the application to the Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation by May 17. Applications are available from high school guidance offices or by contacting the Scholarship Coordinator, Victoria Howell-Siracuse at vhowell@nccfoundation.org.”

The Price family has a long history in the area. He was born and raised in Dunkirk and worked for the Dunkirk Evening Observer. He was a self taught linotype operator. His wife and her sister, Mary Parlarto, of Fredonia both worked at Van Raalte.

Their four children all attended School 7 and graduated from Dunkirk High School. With the exception of Oliver, who became a Naval Lawyer and Judge, their children all entered the field of education. Robert taught in Brocton and the Campus School before becoming a graduate assistant at the University of Texas, then a professor at the University of Oregon, and finally at the University of Colorado in Boulder.

Leon spent many years delivering the Dunkirk Evening Observer and as a lifeguard at Cassadaga and Point Gratiot. Upon graduation from high school, he entered the U.S. Navy and served on the USS Ponchatoula in the Pacific. After receiving his teaching certification from Fredonia State Teachers College, he taught sixth grade in Norwalk-LaMirada City School District in Calif., while pursuing graduate work at UCLA, L.A. State, and University of Oregon.

Receiving a master’s degree in 1964, he relocated to Laramie, Wyo., where he undertook graduate work at the University of Wyoming and served as Reading Specialist for the Albany County School District in Wyoming. In 1969, he accepted a position as principal at School 3 in Dunkirk. In 1975, he was transferred to his alma mater, School 7, and for several years, also was assigned duties at School 6. He retired in 1995, after major heart surgery. In December, he was hospitalized with COVID-19. Although he recovered from the virus, he died of complications on Jan. 11 from a fall at the rebab home. His four children all attended School and two of them entered teaching.

Beatrice Price spent her entire life in Dunkirk. She started her long association with young children as Playground Supervisor for the city of Dunkirk Recreation Program. She was also a student at School 7 and graduated from Dunkirk High School. In 1961, after receiving her teaching credentials, she accepted a position teaching second grade at Forestville Elementary School until her retirement in June, 2000. She received her master’s degree from SUNY Fredonia. Throughout the years, she developed close relationships with her students and their parents, as well as with the faculty. Many students contacted her on Christmas and her birthday for years after they graduated. Beatrice contacted COVID 19 and passed away on Dec. 31.

Many cousins remain in the area, including Millie Price of Dunkirk, David Price and family of Dunkirk, Kathy Ross of Fredonia and Diane Romanik and family of Dunkirk.

To make a contribution to either of these scholarships, please contact Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation at 212 Lake Shore Drive West, Dunkirk, N.Y. 14048 nccf@nccfoundation.org or call 366-4892.