Donald Raymond Holtz

Donald Raymond Holtz, age 67, passed away February 9, 2010 at Buffalo General Hospital. He was born on September 30, 1942 in Lockport, NY, son of the late Raymond C. and Emily (Ferris) Holtz. Donald grew up on Drake Settlement Rd. in Appleton, NY. He attended kindergarten in a one-room schoolhouse, graduated from Newfane Central Schools in 1960 and earned a Bachelor's of Science in Education in 1964 as well as his Master's in Education in 1969 from Fredonia State College. He began his teaching career with the Dunkirk City Schools as a High School Social Studies Teacher in 1964. In 1968 he began teaching for the Williamsville Central Schools as a High School Social Studies Teacher, teaching all three district high schools and retiring in 2001 from Williamsville South H.S. due to health issues associated Parkinson's Disease. Donald was a member of the Williamsville Teachers Association and served as President from 1973-1975 and from 1989-2001. He was also a recipient of the NYSUT Leadership Award in both 1989 and 1999. Donald was the first person to have Deep Brain Stimulation surgery at Buffalo General Hospital to combat Parkinson's Disease. Following his retirement, Donald pursued interests in American history and teaching by leading courses in the Civil War at the Amherst Senior Center, St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Williamsville and Elderwood Village at Glenwood. He did extensive research throughout WNY about soldiers from the area during the Civil War. He contributed historical writings about the Civil War that were published in Civil War Times magazine and the Lockport Union Sun and Journal, as well as an article about the history of the Lockport schools that was published in the Lockport Union Sun and Journal. In 2008 he organized Remembrance Day ceremonies honoring Civil War Veterans at Glenwood Cemetery in Lockport, NY. He was also active in historical reenactments as a member of the 42nd Royal Highlanders Regiment of the King's Army depicting the life of a British soldier during colonial and Revolution era America. At times he played parts in reenactments of the French and Indian War, American Revolution, War of 1812, American Civil War and World War II. Donald was a member of numerous organizations, including St. Paul's Evangelical Church in Williamsville, Erie County Historical Society, Niagara County Historical Society, Chautauqua County Historical Society, Sons of Union Veterans - Weber Camp (Lackawanna), Civil War Roundtable, 49th NY Volunteers Infantry of the Civil War, 42nd Royal Highlanders Regiment of the King's Army, Amherst Museum and Old Fort Niagara Association. Dearest father of Donna (Michael) Chismer of Allison PA, David P. (Renae) Holtz, and Kathryn (Jeffrey) Kurzrock of Rochester NY; former husband of Linda Holtz; loving grandfather of seven grandchildren; dear son the late Raymond C. and Emily (nee Ferris) Holtz; brother of Carolyn (Dennis) Newman, Robert (Karen) Holtz, Margaret (Richard) Murray, and the late David M. Holtz. Dear friend of Lois Yoerg. The Family will be present on Sunday from 7-9 PM and Monday from 2-4 and 7-9 PM at the (Amherst Chapel) AMIGONE FUNERAL HOME, INC., 5200 Sheridan Drive (corner of Hopkins Rd.). Funeral Services will be held on Tuesday at 11:00 AM at St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church, 68 Eagle St., Williamsville. Friends Invited. Burial in Chestnut Ridge Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to American Parkinson's Association. On-line register book at www.AMIGONE.com.