Obituary: Lester Loucks, 91, West Seneca

WEST SENECA — Lester Loucks passed away on May 26, 2018 at the age of 91 in West Seneca, NY. He was born October 25, 1926, the son of Calvin and Millie Buckley Loucks, and was raised in Salamanca, NY. He had a sister, Marian Loucks (deceased), and a brother, Mason Loucks, who lives in Great Valley, NY. Lester graduated from Salamanca High School and attended Niagara University. He entered the Air Force and trained as a photographer. He was stationed in Germany where he worked on the Casey Little Project photographing aerial views of Europe and North Africa. He was also assigned to photograph the Nuremberg Trials. After his discharge, he opened a photography studio in Salamanca. In 1953 he moved to Wellsville where he was employed at Air Preheater Co. as an industrial photographer, eventually becoming Manager of Administrative Services, retiring after 37 years. He was elected Town Councilman in 1969 and was appointed Supervisor of the Town of Wellsville after the flood of 1972 and served for nearly 20 years, running unopposed in all but one election. The Wellsville Woods apartment complex was dedicated in his honor for his service to the community. Lester was dedicated to community service: He was named Person of the Year in 1989 by the Wellsville Chamber of Commerce, he served as president of the APB Club at Air Preheater, was president of the Wellsville Midget League Football, was secretary/treasurer of the Wellsville Little League, was a volunteer fireman for 35 years as a member of the Dyke Street Fire Company and was president of the Christian Temple. He also was a past-president of the Wellsville Lions Club as well as secretary for several years, and was given life membership as part of his 60 years of being a Lion. He was the recipient of the Melvin Jones Fellow, the highest honor in Lionism. After retiring in 1990, he and his wife, Betty, moved to Amherst where he served as chairman of the Government Study Committee. In 2004, they moved to Burchfield Village Patio Homes in West Seneca where he served on the Board of Directors for 12 years, retiring in 2017. He and his wife of 70 years, the former Betty Lou Morton, had six children: Pamela (Edward) McNey, David (deceased), Douglas (Dianne), Terry (Laura), Christopher (Sue, deceased), and Brian (Libby). He is also survived by 13 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. Lester donated his body to the University of Buffalo Anatomical Gift Program. A celebration of his life will be held later at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Wellsville Lions Charities Inc. (PO Box 52) or a charity of the donor’s choice.