Obituary of Richard L. Gustafson

Richard L. Gustafson, 83, of 20 Webster Street, Lakewood, died Wedensday May 3, 2017, in UPMC Chautauqua WCA. A lifelong area resident, he was born June 21, 1933, in Jamestown, the son of the late John Walfred Gustafson and Gulli Larsson Gustafson Peterson. He was a 1953 graduate of Southwestern Central School, Celoron Branch where he was a member of the Chi Sig Fraternity. From 1953-56 he proudly served in the US Marine Corps during the Korean War attaining the rank of Sergeant and receiving numerous medals. Prior to his retirement in 1990, he was employed by Carpenters Local 66, with whom he had worked since 1967. He was also a Southern Tier Building Trades delegate. He was an active member of St. Luke's Episcopal Church, where he served as an usher and a volunteer for the Wednesday Group. He was a dedicated volunteer to the YMCA and Camp Onyahsa. He was a member of the Viking Lodge, Lakewood Memorial Post 1286 American Legion and Lakewood Rod and Gun Club. His awards include 1974 Jamestown YMCA Youth Volunteer Award, the AFL-CIO George Meany Award for outstanding service to youth and "Mr. Gus" for dedicated service as Scoutmaster to Troupe 131. He was an outstanding husband, father and grandfather who demonstrated tremendous courage in his fight with Parkinson's disease and Lewy Body Dementia. Surviving are his wife Ruby Kalen Gustafson, whom he married May 17, 1958 in St. Luke's Episcopal Chruch; two children Dawn (Guy) Costa of Edinboro, PA and Kurt (Margaret) Gustafson of Jamestown; four grandchildren Michael and Matthew Costa of Edinboro and Nicholas and Ryan Gustafson of Jamestown; a sister Lillian Chapman of Jamestown; sister-in-law Violet Bova of Jamestown; several nieces and nephews and his furry companion Buddy the cat. Besides his parents he was preceded in death by a sister Margaret Carlson. A memorial service will be held at 11:30 a.m. Friday in St. Luke's Episcopal Church. Rev. Luke F. Fodor will officiate. Entombment will be St. Luke's Columbarium. Friends will be received from 10:30-11:30 a.m. Friday in the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to YMCA Camp Onyahsa, 101 East 4th Street, Jamestown, NY 14701 or St. Luke's Episcopal Church, 410 North Main Street, Jamestown, NY 14701. You may leave words of condolence at www.lindfuneralhome.com.