Malcolm Metzler Sr.

Mr. Malcolm G. Metzler Sr., age 86, of 31 Cleveland Avenue, Salamanca, New York died unexpectedly Monday evening, May 17, 2010 at the Bradford Regional Medical Center.

Born on March 12, 1924 in Salamanca, New York, he was the son of the late Willard & Marie Whitmer Metzler. He was married on July 23, 1949 in Little Valley, New York to the former Edna Myers who predeceased him on January 13, 2002.

Mr. Metzler was a veteran of the U.S Army serving in the European Theatre during World War II.

He was employed as a bus driver for Salamanca Central Schools System and the Blue Bird Coach Lines prior to his retirement. He also owned and operated the Big Hat in Salamanca, New York & Metzler Fuel Company in Killbuck, New York.

He was a member of The American Legion Hughes-Skiba Post #525, The Veterans of Foreign Wars John F. Ahrens Post #5296, The Holy Cross Athletic Club, the former Loyal Order of the Moose #1002, and the former BPO Elks Lodge #1025. He was an avid bowler and sports fan of St. Bonaventure basketball, Buffalo Bills, and the Cleveland Indians.

Surviving are: 2 daughters, Marcia (Robert) Gordon, Kathi (Jeff) Sarver, both of Salamanca, New York; a son, Malcolm Metzler Jr., Salamanca, New York; 7 grandchildren, Amy Metzler of Olean, New York, Robert (Sarah) Gordon of Columbus, OH, Leaudra Sarver of Salamanca, New York, Cheyenne Metzler of Geneseo, New York, M. Jesse Metzler, Steven Ray Metzler, Sioux Metzler all of Little Valley, New York; one great-grandchild, Aerie Gordon, Columbus, OH; a sister, Joyce Shinners, Salamanca, New York; a brother, George Metzler, Great Valley, New York; many nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by a daughter, Deborah Walsh-Campbell, 2 brothers, James Metzler, Willard Metzler, and a sister, Audrey Novik.

Friends may call at the O’Rourke & O’Rourke Inc. Funeral Home, 25 River Street, Salamanca, New York on Thursday from 2-4 and 7-9 P.M.

A prayer service will be held in the funeral home on Friday morning at 10:30 A.M. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 A.M. in Our Lady of Peace Parish with Rev. Patrick Melfi, pastor, as celebrant.

Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Salamanca, New York. Full military honors will be conducted by members of the American Legion Hughes-Skiba Post #535 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #5296.

E-condolences can be sent to john@orourke-orourke.com.