Douglas "Dude" J. Herrick

Douglas “Dude” J. Herrick, 79, of Salamanca NY died Tuesday afternoon, September 24, 2024 at Erie County Medical Center, Buffalo, NY following a long illness.

Born July 4, 1945 in Salamanca, NY, he was the son of the late George and Marie Steffanhagen Herrick. He was married on November 14, 1969 in Salamanca to the former Phyllis Bailey, who survives.

He was a graduate of Salamanca High School, Class of 1963.

He was a veteran of the United States Army, serving in its Medical Corps stationed in Denver, CO.

Dude had been employed as a brakeman with Chessie System Inc. (B&O Railroad) for over 20 years, retiring in 1992.

He was a member of the former Grace Baptist Church and the First Baptist Church, Salamanca, NY, as well as the American Legion Hughes-Skiba Post 535, the Veterans of Foreign Wars John F. Ahrens Post 5296, and the Holy Cross Club. He enjoyed being with his family, attending his grandchildren’s sporting events, and will be remembered for his dedication in fund raising for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. He also enjoyed the outdoors, hunting, fishing, camping, playing men’s softball and basketball, playing into his sixties. He was an avid Buffalo Bills and NASCAR fan.

Surviving besides his wife are: a daughter, Amy (Danny) Earley, Salamanca, NY; two sons, Greg (Shelley) Herrick, Chad (Jenny) Herrick, both of Salamanca, NY; three granddaughters, Camryn Earley, Buffalo, NY, Addison Earley, Morgan Earley, both of Salamanca, NY; two grandsons, Andrew Herrick, Jacob Herrick, both of Salamanca, NY; a sister, Babette (Jim) Martin, Salamanca, NY; several nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by two sons, Brett Herrick and James Herrick, a sister, Lorna Reynolds, and two brothers, George “Jerry” Herrick and John Herrick.

Friends may call at the O’Rourke & O’Rourke Inc. Funeral Home, 25 River Street, Salamanca, NY on Monday, September 30, 2024 from 2 – 4 & 6 – 8pm.

Graveside funeral services will be in Wildwood Cemetery, Salamanca, NY on Tuesday at 11am with Rev. Ben Good of Riverside Chapel officiating.

Full military honors will be conducted by members of the American Legion Hughes-Skiba Post 535 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars John F. Ahrens Post 5296.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, 100 College Parkway, Ste 280, Williamsville, NY 14221.

E-condolences can be sent to orourke.orourkefh@gmail.com or posted to facebook.com/onofh.