Honorable David A. Prince

He was born Sept. 20, 1942, in Brooks Hospital, to the late Arthur F. and Charlotte (Schwertfager) Prince English.

David is survived by his loving wife, caregiver and best friend for over 30 years, Susan Marsh; his son, David A Prince II (Sheryl) of Minneapolis, Minn.; grandson, Joseph David (JD) Prince; and his dog, Hunter.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and his sister, Patricia A Logan of Fredonia, N.Y.

David graduated from Fredonia Central High School, class of 1961, and, after his military service, from the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s academy. David grew up helping to run his family business, a local service station, where he worked after school and weekends from the age of 10 until his father’s untimely death when he was only 18.

David was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1964, where he served as a MP (Military Policeman). He was stationed at Fort Hood, Texas, until his first assignment as a bodyguard to Martin Luther King and marchers during the 1965 legendary march for civil rights, from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama. Soon after, he was deployed to Vietnam (1965-66). While there, along with his normal duties, he was assigned to escort and protect General William Westmoreland and Vice President Hubert Humphrey during their visits to Saigon.

After returning from the service in 1966, David began his long-time career with the Dunkirk and Fredonia Telephone Company where he worked for 35 years. On July 1, 1967 he was appointed as the Town of Sheridan’s police officer. He worked the next 23 years, nights and weekends, as their chief of police. In 1970, David was appointed as a special deputy sheriff for the County of Chautauqua by Sheriff John Bentley. He was the first Chautauqua County police officer to be certified as an EMT.

In 1990 David was elected as the Town of Pomfret Justice, a position he held until 2015. In 1997, he was also elected as the Village of Fredonia Justice, a position he held until shortly before his death.

David was a volunteer fireman with D.R. Barker Hose Co. since 1962 and the Sheridan Fire Department, when he lived in Sheridan. He was a member of the Fredonia United Methodist Church. David was a charter and life member of the Sheridan Veterans of Foreign Wars, a life member and past president of the Chautauqua County Deputy Sheriff’s Association, and a member and past president of the Van Buren Bay Association. He was also a member of the Shorewood Country Club, the Dunkirk Exempt Firemen, the Elks Club, the NYS and Chautauqua County Magistrates Associations, and a past member of the Dunkirk Yacht Club.

David has never been afraid of hard work, working two to three jobs all his life. Even with failing health, he still continued to work until he was no longer able. He took his work to heart and always gave it all he had. His greatest joy was helping someone turn their life around. David will be missed dearly by his friends, family and all who knew him.

There will be an opportunity for members of the community to pay their respects and share a memory in the Memory Book at the LARSON-TIMKO Funeral Home on Tuesday, July 7, from noon to 7 p.m.

On-line condolences and tributes may be made at larsontimkofuneral.com.

Because of the restrictions of COVID-19 the family will not be present but will enjoy reading your treasured memories.

Private services will be held on Saturday July 11, 2020.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations be made to the Lakeshore Humane Society, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, the Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation or Chautauqua Hospice & Palliative Care.

Arrangements by David J. Dengler.