Obituary of Donald William Ahlstrom

Donald William Ahlstrom, 90, of Jamestown, NY, most recently of 165 Rockland Trail, Sharpsburg, GA 30277, passed away at home on Thursday, April 18, 2019. He was born in Jamestown, NY on December 9, 1928, the son of the late Raymond E. Ahlstrom Sr. and Elsie Anderson Ahlstrom. A lifelong resident of Jamestown, Donald was a graduate of Jamestown High School class of 1947. He attended Jamestown Community College and served five years in the United State Marine Corp. inactive reserves. Mr. Ahlstrom was a former Mayor of the City of Jamestown in 1990-1991. He also served as a Legislator for Chautauqua County from the 15TH district in 1994-1995. He served three terms as Jamestown City Republican Committee Chairman and one term as Chautauqua County Republican Committee Chairman. He was a thirty plus year member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and served Local Union No. 106 as President and Financial Secretary. He established the Health and Welfare and Pension Trust Funds programs for the local union. He was employed by the Electric division of the City of Jamestown Board of Public Utilities for ten years and by Ahlstrom-Schaeffer Electric Corp. for more than twenty-five years. Active in community and civic affairs, Mr. Ahlstrom was a member of the Ingjald Lodge No. 65 I.O. Vikings, Mt. Moriah Lodge 145 F&AM, Jamestown Consistory AASR, the United Commercial Travelers Council No. 202, and the Fenton Historical Center. He served three terms as President of the Chautauqua County chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution. Eight times he served on the Parade Committee for the Jamestown Babe Ruth World Series. He also served several terms on the Board of Directors for Jamestown area Meals on Wheels. In addition, he was a former board member of the Jamestown Board of Public Utilities, Jamestown Planning Commission, Blue Shield of Chautauqua County Corp., Blue Shield of Western New York Inc., Chautauqua Opportunities, Inc., Chautauqua County Visitors Bureau, Chautauqua Airport Commission, Jamestown Urban Renewal Agency, Downtown Jamestown Development Corp., and Chautauqua County Building Trades Council. In his personal life, Donald was a life long sports enthusiast and avid fan of the Philadelphia Phillies since his youth. He umpired baseball in the Chautauqua County Baseball Umpires Association. He particularly enjoyed golf, bowling and horseshoes. For a number of years, his labor of love was raising registered Black Angus cattle on a farm on Shadyside Rd. In his retirement years, he became a dedicated rose gardener and wood worker and also enjoyed the many cats that were part of his life. His grandchildren and great grandchildren were his special joy to him. Mr. Ahlstrom is survived by his wife, Norma Boardman Ahlstrom, whom he married on May 29, 1969 and seven children: Denise (Fred) Priestman of Jamestown, NY; Daphne (Richard) Easton of Greece, NY; Daniel (Karen) Ahlstrom of North Chili, NY; Ret. Lt. Col. Thomas (Marci) Swanson of Seaford, VA; Rebecca (Jeffrey) Lyons of Sharpsburg, GA; Julie Putnam of Hamlin, NY; and Gregory (Elizabeth) Ahlstrom of Franklin, GA; and twelve grandchildren: Matthew Easton, Michael Easton, David Ahlstrom, Danielle LaJuett, Stephen Ahlstrom, Nathaniel Swanson, Geoffrey Swanson, Nicholas Swanson, Ashlee Putnam, Kelsee Putnam, Adele Ahlstrom, and Anson Ahlstrom; eleven great-grandchildren; and a brother John Pitts III of Buckeye, AZ. He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother Raymond E. Ahlstrom Jr.; a sister Janet M. Potter; and a step-mother Freda M. Ahlstrom. A memorial service will be held at 1 pm Saturday May 4, 2019, in the Lind Funeral Home. Gregory F. Ahlstrom, son of Mr. Ahlstrom, will officiate. Prior visitation will not be observed. After the service, a gathering will be held at Lakewood Volunteer Fire Company Training Center, 116 Pleasantview Ave, Lakewood, NY 14750. Memorials may be made to the Jamestown Area Meals on Wheels, Chautauqua County Humane Society, or a charity of one's choice.