Neil Landers Dempsey

Born on Nov. 22, 1931, in Wellsville, NY, to Rose Agnes (Landers) Dempsey and Joseph S. Dempsey, Sr., Neil grew up in Bolivar and graduated from Bolivar Central School in 1949. He competed in football, basketball, and track, and was part of the Alleghany-Cattaraugus League football championship team in 1948. He attended Notre Dame University from 1949 to 1952 and later graduated from St. Bonaventure University in 1962.

On Aug. 25, 1956, Neil married his high school sweetheart, Kathleen Marie “Katie” Dunn, at St. Mary’s Church in Bolivar. Together they built a warm and welcoming home, raising their children with love, faith, and a strong sense of community. They shared nearly 38 years of marriage before Katie’s passing on July 2, 1994.

Neil began his career in the family business, Dempsey Pipe, working there from 1952 to 1955 before being drafted into the U.S. Army. He served as a radar repairman from 1955 to 1956, stationed at the Savanah River Project in Fort Aiken, Georgia, and achieved the rank of Specialist 4. After his service, he returned to Dempsey Pipe part-time (1957-1962) while completing his education. Neil went on to work for Air Preheater as an accountant (1963-1984) and later as Business Manager for Bolivar Central School District (1985-1996).

His dedication to community service ran deep. Neil served on the Bolivar Central School Board for 16 years, including a decade as President, and later contributed his financial expertise as Treasurer on the Northern Chautauqua Catholic School Board. He also helped guide the boards of First Trust Union Bank and St. Mary’s Cemetery in Bolivar. In local government, he served as a Bolivar Town Councilman (1993-1995) and Town Supervisor (1995-1997), earning respect for his steady judgment and fair-minded leadership. Neil’s civic spirit extended to the Bolivar Lions Club and the Kenyon Andrus Post 772 American Legion.

Faith and family traditions were at the heart of Neil’s life. Sunday mornings meant Mass with Katie and the children. Neil was an active member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Bolivar, where he was honored with the Lay Award of St. Joseph from the Diocese of Buffalo for his dedication to parish life. After moving to Fredonia, he became a member of St. Anthony’s Catholic Church. Dedicated to the Catholic fraternal service organization, Neil was a member and past Grand Knight of the 3rd Degree Knights of Columbus with the Fr. Michael J. McGivney Council and held long-term leadership roles with the 4th Degree Knights of Columbus Cardinal Mindszenty Assembly.

Neil had a love for organization, Texas Hots, fishing trips with friends, and Friday evening Manhattans with Katie after a busy week. Known for his sweet tooth, Neil enjoyed hot coffee with homemade coffee cake, muffins or donuts. A trip to BJs meant stocking up on Diet Cherry Pepsi. Neil was a generous dispenser of dog-treats to all the family canines, but “Isie” held a very special place in his heart. Affectionately nicknamed “Winston,” Neil proudly supported his grandchildren, always wearing t-shirts from their colleges. Every family move was a masterful game of Tetris with trucks packed perfectly under his watchful eye.

Widowed far too soon, Neil honored Katie, the love of his life, by arranging for a Mass to be celebrated each year on the anniversary of her passing. He cherished time with his large family, especially July 4th celebrations in Mayville and Thanksgiving gatherings in Eden. Of all his accomplishments, Neil was most proud of his family. A true gentleman and quiet diplomat, he had a rare gift for connecting with people from all walks of life.

After moving from Bolivar to Fredonia in 2004, Neil embraced his new community, volunteering at Brooks Memorial Hospital and working as Assistant Office Manager at Lakeshore Orthopedic Group. Neil enjoyed genealogy research and delighted in preserving family history–copying photographs, letters, newspaper articles, and putting his laminating machine through its paces to ensure each of his children has a set of treasured documents. The “paperwork” in his home office was an ongoing project.

In addition to his wife and parents, Neil was predeceased by siblings Joseph S. (Millie) Dempsey, Jr., Daniel (Patricia) Dempsey, Carolyn D. (Bernard) Suda, Charles Dempsey, M. Anne Dempsey, and sister-in-law Suzanne Holland. He is survived by his children Rose (James) Fitzgerald, Fredonia, NY; William (Stephanie) Dempsey, Victor, NY; Theresa Hart, Fredonia, NY; Matthew Dempsey, Portland, OR; Suzanne (Michael) Nye, Wellsville, NY; Margaret (Jack) Cuddihy, Eden, NY; Thomas (Ellen) Dempsey, Forestville, NY; Joseph (Holly) Dempsey, Mooresville, NC; 25 grandchildren: Michael (Nina) Fitzgerald, Timothy (Maggie) Fitzgerald, Bridget (Andrew) Stegemann, William (fiancÈ Brittany Morgan) Fitzgerald, Kyle Dempsey, Andrew Dempsey, Colleen (Matthew) Hart-Martinez, Thomas (Leona) Hart, Nicholas Hart, Sarah (fiancÈ Samuel Wasson) Hart, Kevin Dempsey, Stephen Dempsey, Kaitlyn Dempsey, Shawn (Hannah) Dempsey, Shannon Nye, Joseph Cuddihy, Daniel Cuddihy, Patrick Cuddihy, Robert Dempsey, Bryan Dempsey, Christopher Dempsey, Kelly Dempsey, Megan Dempsey, Elizabeth Dempsey, and Madeline Dempsey; and five great-grandchildren: Mila and Eli Martinez, Rhys and Roey Fitzgerald, and Brennan Stegemann. He is also survived by his sister Deana C. Dempsey, Rochester, NY; sisters-in-law Jacqueline Eastman, Patricia Nelson and Anne Marie Clayton; brothers-in-law Bernard Dunn and William Dunn; and many nieces and nephews.

The family extends their gratitude to the staff at Chautauqua Nursing & Rehabilitation Center and Brooks Memorial Hospital for their kindness, compassion, and skilled care.

Ever the advocate for education, Neil donated his body to Upstate Medical School for medical research.

Visitation will be held at St. Anthony’s Church, Fredonia, Saturday Aug. 23, 2025 from 10 am-11 am, where a Funeral Mass, officiated by Rev. Joseph Walter, will follow at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Kathleen and Neil Dempsey Scholarship at Bolivar-Richburg Central School, Attn: Mrs. Susan Bokman, 100 School St., Bolivar, NY 14715 or the Mount Irenaeus Franciscan Mountain Community (at mountainonline.org). On-line condolences may be made at larsontimkofuenralhome.com. Arrangements by David J. Dengler, LARSON-TIMKO Funeral Home.