The business awards went to Tim Mentley of Mentley Funeral Home and Robert Dingman Jr. of New York & Lake Erie Railroad. The Community Service Award went to George Stark, a commander for the American Legion Post 409, while the Excellence in Youth Award went to Andrew Kruszka, a senior at Gowanda Central School District.

For Tim and Jessica Mentley, the award came at a unique time. The couple recently became grandparents, with a possibility of having the new child be the future owner.

Tim Mentley took over the funeral home, located at 105 E. Main St., after his grandfather, Arthur Mentley, started it in 1946. The family-owned business stayed in Gowanda and grew under the Mentley name.

“It’s nice to carry the family name on and I am proud of it,” Mentley said at the event. “It’s good to see all the family and friends here tonight.”

OBSERVER Photo by Andrew David Kuczkowski Gowanda Chamber of Commerce President Nick Crassi, left, gives the Community Service Award to George Stark, who is the commander at the American Legion Post 409 in Gowanda.

Mentley was born in 1970 and graduated high school in 1988. With his family around him on Saturday, he was elated to receive the recognition and the award.

Dingman was with his wife Linda while he received his business award. An area railroad businessman, Dingman has been restoring the local rails and also adds to the area’s events like Christmas in Gowanda with his rides.

The award reflected the importance of railroads for Gowanda, Dingman said, and how it improved the area, both then and now.

“I was running out of time because I am getting old. No, no, that’s not good,” Dingman joked with a large smile. “I think it’s a great honor for us because it’s really not about the people like me or Linda, it’s about the railroad because the railroad was so important for the development of Western New York, especially Gowanda.”

Stark was very humble about the community service award. The American Legion Post 409 is a mainstay in the village and hosts many events, including the Spirit of Gowanda. It’s not only a meeting hall, but a place to be year round. Stark stated that its new pavillion will have live music every Thursday in July as he deflected many questions about his recognition to the legion’s efforts in the community.

OBSERVER Photo by Andrew David Kuczkowski Gowanda Chamber of Commerce President Nick Crassi, left, gives the Business Award for 2018 to Tim Mentley and his wife Jessica for the Mentley Funeral Home.

“I keep saying, ‘I’ve been in the right place at the right time,'” Stark said. “I happened to know a few little things. I don’t know what I’ve done that’s so special.”

Stark noted he is at the legion daily and he takes pride in the community, especially as an honor guard for funeral services.

The Kruszka name is tough not to know in Gowanda. Whether it’s the family name for baseball at the school district, to the school paper, to the school board, Kruszka is there and voicing his opinion.

Kruszka was appreciative when he was given the award and thanked many who assisted him in his endeavors.

“It’s awesome, obviously,” Kruszka said. “I thank the (Gowanda Area) Chamber of Commerce and everybody that ever done anything for me. … I know I do a lot, but I don’t think I do enough for this community because it surely is awesome.”

Gowanda Chamber of Commerce President Nick Crassi, left, gives the Business Award to Robert Dingman, Jr. and his wife Linda for their business of the New York & Lake Erie Railroad.

The Gowanda Area Chamber of Commerce meets the second Wednesday of each month at 15 S. Water St., Gowanda.

Twitter: @ByKuczkowski