Chet Yauchzy, led firemen's bowling league
by DAVID F. SHERMAN Managing Editor

Yauchzy

Chester W. Yauchzy, 89, a 58-year member of the Main-Transit Fire Department, died Thursday, Nov. 16, 2006.

Mr. Yauchzy was a retired chief operator of the Amherst Engineering Department. He retired in 1979 after 21 years with the town. He also worked for Curtiss Wright.

A native of Arcade, he was a graduate of Arcade High School.

Although he was a past president of Main-Transit, he was known throughout the town for his leadership roles with the Amherst Fire Council and the Amherst Firemen's Bowling League.

Mr. Yauchzy first bowled competitively in the old GLF Mills League and was secretary of the Amherst Firemen's League from 1948-64.

"After 1964, it got to be too much work," he said in a 1979 interview. "But they talked me back into it."

He helped organize the first New York State Volunteer Firemen's Bowling Tournament in 1957, an event that has grown to include more than 600 teams each year. He also served as secretary of the Snyder Businessmen's League for several years and was president of the Buffalo Bowlers Association in 1979.

His high single game was 267, which he bowled twice, and his high three-game series was 657.

"Bowling leagues, especially firemen's leagues, have done a lot to strengthen the community," he said. "The firemen get to know each other socially and when an emergency arises, they can depend on a friend instead of calling, 'Hey you.'"

Mr. Yauchzy's first wife, Elsie, is deceased.

Survivors include his wife, the former Rhoda Zent; two daughters, Judith A. Klug and Janice A. Nolan; two stepdaughters, Rosemary Quinn and Nancy Spada; two stepsons, Thomas and Bill Zent; two sisters, Verna R. Marble and Linda Yauchzy; four grandchildren and 11 step-grandchildren; five great-grandchildren and 12 step-great-grandchildren.

A Mass of Christian Burial was offered Monday, Nov. 20 in SS. Peter and Paul Church. Arrangements were made by the Dengler and Roberts Funeral Home.