Wellsville, NY - David F. Gardner, 84, of 11 Meadowbrook Court passed away on Sunday, January 2, 2011 at the Highland Health Care Center in Wellsville. He was born on August 24, 1926 in Buffalo, the son of the late Charles and Florence (Albee) Gardner. On April 25, 1953 in Wellsville he married the former Joan Embser who survives.Dave was a graduate of Amherst High School and was a combat veteran of the US Navy during WW II and the Korean Conflict. He served aboard the USS St. Paul in the Pacific Theater of Operation and personally witnessed the formal surrender of the Japan at the end of the war. He was a graduate of Alfred State Agricultural and Technical College and Simons School of Embalming in Syracuse. He was first employed as a landscape contractor and owned operated Meadowbrook Nursery in Wellsville. He began his career as a funeral director with J. W. Embser Sons Funeral Home Inc. in 1960 and retired as president in 1993. He was a member of the Immaculate Conception Church, a life member of the Emerald Hook and Ladder Company, a member of the American Legion Post 702, a 45 year member of the Wellsville Lions Club; where he received the Robert J. Uplinger Award for distinguished service and was a Melvin Jones Fellow. He served on the Citizens Tree Board and several other civic and business organizations. He enjoyed all aspects of horticulture and gardening, cross country skiing, sailing, cooking and bird watching and was a railroad enthusiast.
He is survived in addition to his wife by five sons, Charles (Penny) Gardner of Livonia, Timothy (Heidi) Gardner of Orchard Park, Daniel (Carol) Gardner of Wellsville, Walter (Lisa) Gardner of Wellsville and Brien Gardner of Victor, two daughters, Kate (Brooks) Chandler of Girdwood, AK and Anne (Fred) Collins of Corning, 19 grandchildren and several nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased in addition to his parents by a brother, William Gardner.
Friends are invited to call on today from 2:00 to 4:00 and 7:00 to 9:00 pm and Wednesday from 10:00 to 10:30 am at the J. W. Embser Sons Funeral Home Inc., 34 W. State Street in Wellsville. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, January 5, 2011 at 11:00 am at the Immaculate Conception Church in Wellsville with Monsignor Vincent Becker as celebrant. Interment, with military honors will follow in Sacred Heart Cemetery. Memorial donations are suggested to any charity of the donor's choice. To leave online condolences, please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com.
I remember when I first began helping out with the home's computers Mr. Gardner would be there working around the grounds and he always had a wonderful smile. I always enjoyed our visits. Walt and all of the Gardner family are in my prayers. Pastor Dick Helms
ReplyDeleteI only met Mr. Gardner once, but knew of him through his daughter, Kate, who is a dear friend. My thoughts and prayers are with the family during this difficult time.
ReplyDeleteI was lucky enough to know Mr. Gardner and his family my entire life and thought him to be an excellent man. Not only was he a great husband, and dad but he also gave so much to ICS when I was a student there with Charlie and also at Wellsville HS. My family owes a debt of gratitude to Mr. Gardner for his kindness to my parents over many , many years My sincere condolences.
ReplyDeleteMr. Gardner was a kind, gentle and patient man. He always made me feel welcomed whether it was at the Gardner home in Wellsville or at Keuka Lake. I have wonderful memories of him and the Garnder family. My thoughts, prayers and love to you all. Cheryl Weaver.
ReplyDeleteTo the Gardner Family: Dave was a wonderful and kind person and I am sure he will be missed. Your family is in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
ReplyDelete(Sue Herr Conklin)
The things you don't know about someone you thought you knew pretty well! What a great man Dave was and how much he will be missed. My favorite memory of Dave (among so many others) was going to a fair the Lion's club hosted and Dave would be be running the spin art machine. It was the first thing I wanted to do every year! I am so blessed to have known Dave and his wonderful family is a testament to the kind of man he was.
ReplyDeleteThe Cronk family and Embser family have been connected in many ways since the 1930s. Our parents, Annette and Bob Cronk, were very close friends with Walter and Katherine Embser, Joan Embser Gardner's parents. My sisters and I can remember when Joan and Dave married, when their family started growing, when Dave joined the funeral home. It hardly seems possible that so many years have gone by! Our sincere sympathy to Joanie and the rest of the family.
ReplyDeleteMy condolences to Mr. Gardner's family. I did not know him well but remember him always smiling! I have wonderful memories of times in Wellsville w/ some of his children who also had that smile! My sympathy goes out to you.
ReplyDeleteBarb Allen Lee