Obituary of Augustain Lefebvre

After living with a cancer diagnosis for nearly 4 years, Augustain "Gus" Lefebvre, 88, of Baker St. Ext., formerly of S. Main St. Ext., passed away peacefully on Wednesday, April 26, 2023 at UPMC Hamot. Although he was born at home in Smith Mills, Pa. on Sept. 6, 1934 to Augustain Sr. and Matilda "Tillie" Lefebvre, he called the Jamestown area home since 1951. He graduated from JHS in 1951 and the following year enlisted in the US Marine Corps where he served until 1956 with an honorable discharge as Sergeant. Gus returned to Jamestown and began working at Marlin Rockwell, MRC/TRW, and in later years when it was bought out by SKF. He was employed for 36 years, until 1989, and served as Union Steward for the company. He was very proud to have been the chairman of the Bargaining Committee in 1986 for negotiations between UAW Local 338 and SKF. The result was good for employees, their families, and also good for SKF, making them more competitive in the Global Marketplace. While working at MRC, Gus met the love of his life, Beverly Joan Lantz, and they were married on September 21, 1957. They raised 3 children and celebrated 62 wedding anniversaries together. Despite the fact he worked many hours in the factory, between 1970 and 1971, he built his beautiful dream home on S. Main St. Ext., teaching himself how to do the plumbing, wiring and other construction trades to complete the house. Unfortunately, these skills were again necessary in 1985 after a tornado destroyed a large portion of the home. After retiring, Gus, never one to be idle, took up organic gardening. Many people will remember him peddling his vegetables in Brooklyn Square. His interests diversified and he started following his oldest daughter's love of antiquing. He could be found waiting for an Estate Sale to open or selling his wares at markets throughout the area. One of the most memorable things about Gus was his full head of thick wavy hair that impressed everyone who knew or met him. Gus was an avid outdoorsman. Until recently, he never missed a deer season. He also enjoyed fishing on Chautauqua and Lake Erie. When his family was young, he would take them camping, snowmobiling and motorcycle riding together. He was a lifetime member of the Busti Trap Club, as well as the Department of Environmental Conservation, Frewsburg American Legion #556, UAW Local #338 Retirees, and Marine Corps Friendship League. He was also a member of the Eastside Fellowship where over the years he helped feed many a young ball player as they arrived in Jamestown for the Babe Ruth World Series. He also assisted the annual Easter Egg Hunt at 100-Acre Lot. Politically, he was the Democratic Committeeman for the town of Kiantone. He is survived by two daughters: Cheryl (Mark Diprosperis) Lefebvre of Wheeling, WV and Karen Lefebvre of Covington, KY; three grandsons: Alex Lefebvre of Erlanger, KY, Jake Lefebvre of Taylor Mill, KY, and Vincent Diprosperis of Wheeling, WV. Along with his parents, Gus was preceded in death by his wife, Beverly in March 2020; his son, Timothy Lefebvre in March 2017; and his sister, Betty James. No visitation or service will be observed at this time. Memorials can be made in his name to Chautauqua Hospice & Palliative Care, 20 W. Fairmount Ave., Lakewood, NY 14750; or to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22718, Oklahoma City, OK 73123-1718.