Community service vital part of newspaper effort 

By RETIRED BEE PUBLISHER GEORGE J. MEASER
From dirt roads to paved expressways, from farmers selling their products at home to overflowing supermarkets, from local news in the printed form to still local news in the printed form and the Internet, the Measer family has seen it all.

March 18, 1907 was an important date for our family for it was when my father, George J. Measer, saved enough money from working at The Amherst Bee to purchase the newspaper and printing business from the widow of its founder, Adam Rinewalt. In 1907, my father earned $2 per week.

There are not many firms that can claim four generations in one business.

But the Measer family can and is very proud of it!

My father was the first Measer family publisher, George J. Measer Sr. Then I came along in 1925 and started working at a young age in The Bee back shop sweeping floors; in 1950, my wife, Joan Moesel, of Eggertsville made my father a grandfather with the birth of the present publisher, George J. Measer III (Trey); now our grandson, Michael A. Measer, is the Bee Newspapers circulation manager, the fourth generation.

There might even be a fifth generation, as Michael and his wife, Ami, have a 2-year-old son, Ryan!

My brother Bob, who was editor of The Bee, passed away in 1963. My father died in 1965. Both lived long enough to witness the many changes to the newspaper industry and the Town of Amherst.

Our family has always believed in giving back to the community for all the blessings we have received from Williamsville and Amherst.

And this hasn't changed in 100 years.

George J. Measer, my father, was a member of the Williamsville School Board for almost 20 years.

He also was a founding member of the Rotary Club of Williamsville and participated in its many community activities including the idea of a suburban hospital, which later became Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital. In newspaper affairs, Dad was treasurer of the New York Press Association for more than 20 years.

My mother, Eugenie Snyder Measer, was a member of a large Williamsville family. After graduating from Buffalo Normal (Buff State), mother began teaching in 1901 in the old stone schoolhouse on Cayuga Road. Upon marriage, she joined my father in the operation of The Bee. "Gene" was very active at SS. Peter & Paul Church, heading the church's women's organization. Joan and I followed in my parents' footsteps, active in many civic organizations. My wife, Joan, was a founding member of the Hutchinson Hose Company Ladies Auxiliary, a Girl Scout leader and a member of the Suburban Hospital board, the Amherst Museum Board of Trustees and various other groups. Joan is still very active with her two embroidery guilds in Sarasota, Fla. We moved to Sarasota in 1998.

For my "giving back to the community" I enjoyed many functions and organizations. These included but are not limited to: chairman of the Suburban Hospital board; member of the Rotary Club of Williamsville, Amherst Kiwanis Club, Amherst Chamber of Commerce, American Legion and VFW; and board member for both Daemen College and the University at Buffalo. During World War II, I served in Italy for two years with the 88th Infantry Division.

For the newspaper industry I was president of the New York Press Association and the National Newspaper Association out of Washington, D.C.

Our family involvement grew with one of our daughters, Karen Hadala, working in The Bee's commercial printing business in the 1970s.

Our son, "Trey," the present publisher, followed the family footsteps in community service. Trey served on the Williamsville Planning Board for many years, was president of the New York Press Association and a member of the Suburban Hospital and Amherst Symphony boards. He is the chairman of the Williamsville Education Foundation and a member of the Boy Scouts (he is an Eagle Scout), the Williamsville Business Association and many other organizations.

Our four generations served Village of Williamsville residents in the fire department. My father, George Sr., was a member of the Rough and Ready and could recall many historical fires in the village.

I served in the fire company 35 years, and my son, Trey, is still an active member. Trey's son Michael has a leadership role as captain in the fire company.

As the Measer family celebrates this momentous milestone of 100 years of ownership of The Amherst Bee and of community service, we pledge to continue giving back to the community in thanks for the many blessings the Measer family has received.