David P. Taber Sr

David P. Taber Sr., 76, of Fredonia died Tuesday evening (April 18, 2023) at Buffalo General Hospital following a lengthy illness.

He was born Aug. 27, 1946, in Buffalo, the son of the late Charles and Alice (Kozlowski) Taber.

A lifelong Fredonia resident, David was a graduate of Dunkirk High School, Class of 1966. He served in the U.S. Army from 1966-1968 and was a member of the Dunkirk Joint Veterans Council Honor Guard for 16 years and was a past Commander.

David had been employed as an auto Body mechanic by the New York State Thruway in Buffalo for 23 years. Prior to that, he worked at True Temper for 17 years until the plant closed.

Survivors include one son, Charles (Charity) Taber of Dunkirk; one daughter, Ally (Steve Krystofiak) Rosing of Dunkirk; a bonus son Eric Ferry of Georgia, eleven grandchildren, Shayn, Chelsea, Robert, Jayson, Breanna, Dominick, Zackary, Hannah, Savanna, Steven, and Jordan; nine great-grandchildren; three sisters, Sharon (Daniel) Barlette and Darleen Jagoda, both of Dunkirk and Judith (Gerard) Feniello of Fredonia, “Brother John” John Hollins of Dunkirk; and several nieces and nephews. Best friends of over 40 years Leslie and Linda Valentine, and friend/partner in crime Dave Huels since 1966.

David was an avid golfer and enjoyed playing with friends and family. He was also a classic car enthusiast having attended countless car shows as well as doing auto body and mechanical work on them throughout the years. In his younger years, he was an avid deer hunter and fisherman but had to stop due to medical issues. He was a lifetime member of the Moniuszko Club, a 24-year member of the First Ward Falcon’s Club, and a member of the Kosciuszko Club. He loved taking long rides looking for deer and then going to the lake to watch the sunset. He was most passionate about spending time with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He enjoyed watching them play sports, doing wood crafts with them, and just sitting and talking with them.

Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Kathleen M. (Galardo) Taber, who died on Oct. 7, 2020; one son, David P. Taber Jr., on Nov. 19, 2021; brother, Robert Taber; and infant brother, Leslie Taber.

A funeral service will be held Monday, April 24, at 10 a.m. in the funeral home. The Rev. Joseph Walter will officiate. Burial will be in St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Sheridan. Full military honors will be accorded by the Cassadaga Memorial American Legion Post 1280. Memorials donations may be made to the Dunkirk Fire Department.