Gerald E. Haase of Dunkirk died Saturday morning Oct. 17, 2020, at Brooks Memorial Hospital in Dunkirk.
Gerald was born on Oct. 30, 1932 in Weehawken, N.J., the son of the late Richard Sr. and Mary (Rossiter) Haase. Gerald moved to Dunkirk at the age of 9 and has lived there ever since.
He was a graduate of St. Mary’s Academy class of 1950. After graduation, he enlisted into the U.S. Air Force, serving in the Korean War 1950-1953, where he served as Air Patrol in the United Kingdom. After discharge from the service Gerald worked for the U.S Postal Service in Dunkirk for 34 years, retiring in 1988. Gerald went on to work for his brothers at Weiss Hardware and McGraw-Kowal Funeral Home. He also was a bartender at the Dunkirk Club and Elks Lodge 922.
Gerald volunteered many years at Brooks Hospital and as a bingo worker for St Elizabeth Ann Seton Church and the Dunkirk Elks Lodge 922. He was special a minister and lecturer at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton and served on the first church council at St Mary’s Church. He was a member of the St. Mary’s Holy Name Society, serving as Vice President in 1991.
Gerald was a devoted blood donor to the American Red Cross for over 60 years. He was a Life Member of the Dunkirk Elks Lodge 922, where he held the office of Exalted Ruler in 1993. He was awarded Elk of the Year 3 times; 1988-1989, 1997-1998, and 1999-2000. He received various honors from the Elks, including Community Service Award in 2000, Service Award 1995-1996, and Elks Salute Award 2000. He was a Life member of both the American Legion Post 62 and Dunkirk Lakeside Club, and a member of the Dunkirk Senior Center.
During his retirement years, you could find Gerald at many of his grandchildren’s school events and sporting events. He loved to travel with his wife. He was an avid bowler for many years. He loved watching sporting events, especially the Dodgers, Sabres, Bills, and Braves.
On June 3 1961, he married Joanne (Cerrie) at St.Anthony’s Church in Fredonia, N.Y. They were married for 57 years, until Joanne’s passing in 2019.
Survivors include his four children, Kathleen (Douglas) Schwertfager of Fredonia, Gregory (Annie) Haase and Gary (Lori) Haase, both of Dunkirk, and Paul Haase of Jamestown; 11 Grandchildren, Samantha, Alex, Elisha, Katelyn (Justin), Kevin, Karly, Ashley (Nate), Matthew, Brandon, Aiden, and Jace; three great-grandchildren Raelyn, Olivia, and Adelynn; his brother, Lawrence (Patricia) Haase; sisters, Johanna (John) Banach and Mary Woelfle; several nieces and nephews; and two sisters-in-law.
Besides his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents; granddaughter, Kayla Haase; brother, Richard Haase Jr., sister-in-law, Delores Haase; and brother-in-law, Arthur Woelfle.
Following the guidelines and protocols administered by the governor of New York family and friends may call from 5-8 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 20, at the McGraw-Kowal Funeral Home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Wednesday, Oct. 21, at 10 a.m. in St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church. Full military honors will be accorded by the John W. Dill American Legion Post 434, Brocton. Entombment will be in the Holy Spirit Columbarium of St. Mary’s Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to a charity of one’s choice.
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