Obituary of Harry R. Gustavson

Harry R. Gustavson, 93, of Ivory Road in Frewsburg, passed away Monday, December 16, 2013 at Heritage Park Rehab & Skilled Nursing. He was born in Jamestown on May 9, 1920, one of eleven children of the late Arthur and Signe Sjoquist Gustavson. Harry was a 1938 graduate of Jamestown High School, where he played violin in the orchestra and sang in the A Cappella Choir, and was a veteran of the US Army Air Corps, serving from 1942 until 1945. He had been employed by Weber Knapp, Premium Tool & Die and by Sylvania in Warren, Pa. In 1962, he began his teaching career in Industrial Arts at JHS and received his Bachelor's of Science degree in Mechanical Technology from the University of Buffalo in 1965. Harry taught until retiring in 1978. Following his retirement, he remained busy by building a number of area homes. Harry was a member of Christ First United Methodist Church and had served as chairman of the Board of Trustees. A well known tenor, he had sung in the church choir for over 65 years. He was a member of the Lakewood Rod & Gun Club, Vikings Lodge and the Ira Lou Spring Post 149 American Legion. Throughout the years, Harry enjoyed playing golf, bowling and tennis. Surviving is his wife, Phyllis Cass Gustavson whom he married August 23, 1974; five sons: David Gustavson of Shreveport, LA, Thom Gustavson of Quebec City, Canada, Wayne Gustavson of Shreveport, Randy Gustavson of Lebanon, IN and Todd Gustavson of Rochester, NY; six grandchildren: Kristina Harris, Michael Gustavson, Erica Davis, Samuel Gustavson, John Gustavson and Jonas Gustavson; and three great-grandchildren: Malin Harris, John Gustavson and Susanna Davis. Also surviving are two step-daughters, Christine Bingham of Tucson, AZ and Callie Saff of Bradenton, FL; four step-grandchildren; Scott Bingham, Jason Bingham, Kevin Saff and Eric Saff; a step-great-grandson, Brighton Bingham; two sisters, Alice Wells and Carolyn Johnson, both of Jamestown; and a brother, Darwin Gustavson. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Carolyn Stratton Gustavson in 1973; five brothers, Eric, J. Einar, Roy, Bertil and Ralph Gustavson; and two sisters, Dorisann Rinaldo and Marilyn Furman. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday in the Chapel of Christ First United Methodist Church. The Rev. Natalie Hanson will officiate. Entombment will be in the church columbarium. The family will receive friends in Darrah Hall of the church following the service Friday. Memorials may be made to Christ First United Methodist Church, 663 Lakeview Ave. Jamestown, NY 14701; or to Myers Memorial Library, Ivory Road, Frewsburg, NY 14738.