FALCONER - Charles D. "Don" Courtney Sr., 96, of the Levant-Gerry Road, Falconer, passed away Monday, Aug. 27, 2012, at Hamot Medical Center in Erie, Pa.
Mr. Courtney was born June 9, 1916, in Providence, R.I., the son of the late Peter James Courtney and Mary Ann Hughes Courtney.
Don attended school in Rhode Island prior to serving his country in the U.S. Army, under Gen. George Patton, where he served as a platoon sergeant with the 119th Infantry Division from Feb. 2, 1942, until he was honorably discharged on Nov. 11, 1945. Mr. Courtney received the Bronze Star, World War II Victory Medal, American Theatre Medal, Good Conduct Medal and the European African Middle Eastern Ribbon with three bronze stars.
Article Photos
Charles D. 'Don' Courtney Sr.
Prior to his military service he had worked for Brown & Sharp in Providence and as a draftsman for Spencer Lens in Buffalo. Upon his return, he worked for United Lumber in Jamestown, and then started his longstanding career with Crescent Tool in Jamestown, where he was employed from Oct. 20, 1947, to April 30, 1978, where he also served as a past president of their labor union.
Although he did not attend church regularly, Don had a very strong and humble faith. Mr. Courtney's legacy is his family, he always stated that his best investment in life was his family, which he loved dearly and with whom he spent much of his time. He enjoyed remodeling and doing carpentry around his house, ballroom dancing, reading, classical music, lifelong learning and he had a passion was for politics. He was a former member of the Jamestown Veteran of Foreign Wars Post and the Lakewood Rod & Gun.
He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Adria Miller Congdon Courtney, whom he married Aug. 29, 1945, in Buffalo; a son, Charles D. Courtney Jr. and his wife, Jackie, of Falconer; four daughters: Mary Ann Courtney Keyser of Cassadaga, N.Y., Barbara June Courtney Washburg and her husband, James, of Falconer, Maureen Kay Courtney Mayer of Falconer, and Carol Adria Courtney of Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.; 15 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; 12 great-great-grandchildren; a brother-in-law, Rodney B. Congdon and his wife, Marilyn, of Depew; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by two sons: infant, James Peter Courtney and Brian James Courtney in 2009; and two brothers: James Leonard Courtney and John Stanley Courtney.
There will be no visitation or services at this time. A memorial service is being planned with a time and place to be announced later.
The VanRensselaer & Son Funeral Home in Randolph, have been entrusted with arrangements.
Memorials may be sent to the Falconer Library; or the Falconer Fire Department; or to a charity of choice.
To leave a condolence, log on to www.vanrensselaerandsonfuneralhome.com.
