Donald A. Heath Jr., WNED-TV 'auction guru'

Services were held Wednesday, Jan. 24 in St. Mary's Catholic Church for Donald A. Heath Jr.

Mr. Heath, 79, of Williamsville, a retired broadcasting executive who was known as WNED-TV's "auction guru," died Saturday, Jan. 20, 2007, in the Center for Hospice and Palliative Care, Cheektowaga.

Mr. Heath graduated from Amherst Central High School. He served in the Marine Corps during the Korean War.

He founded Heath Concert Productions, promoting shows by entertainers like Pearl Bailey, Dinah Shore and Della Reese.

During the 1970s, Mr. Heath served as a legislative assistant to Assemblyman G. James Fremming, D-Amherst.

His volunteer work at WNED-TV led him to be chairman of the channel's Great TV auction from 1980 to 1981. Several years later, he was hired by the Western New York Public Broadcasting Association as director of special events. Known as the "auction guru," he retired in 2001 after 14 years.

Mr. Heath was also president of the Buffalo Junior Chamber of Commerce and had a major role in bringing a national convention that attracted 10,000 Jaycees to the region. The group elected him as its state vice president and presented him with its highest award.

He was also international president of the Gyro International Club, served on the board of Hospice Buffalo and was chairman of the Dunlop Pro-Am Dinner for two years in the 1980s.

Mr. Heath is survived by his wife, the former Beverly Meyer; two daughters, Cynthia McNally and Deborah Wyrobek; and a sister, Delores Laird.

Arrangements were made by Dietrich Funeral Home.