Donald E. Wirth

Donald E. Wirth, 75, of 62nd Street, died Thursday, August 28, 2008 in Millard Fillmore Gates Circle, after a brief illness.Don was born August 4, 1933 in Niagara Falls, the son of Charles “Happy” and Jennie (Lum) Wirth. He graduated from LaSalle High School in 1952, where he played baseball, basketball and ran track. He served in the U.S. Navy in Operation Deep Freeze, setting up a station at the South Pole in 1954. He was employed at Carborundum Abrasives Division, where he worked in numerous departments for 37 years, prior to retiring in August 1995.Don was a Past President of the Men’s Bowling Association. He was a volunteer coach for LaSalle and Niagara Falls High Schools bowling teams. He worked at Beverly Lanes and Rapids on Saturdays with the Junior Bowlers. He ran his own bowling clinics, teaching what he loved, giving back to others the knowledge he had on the sport he loved. He bowled the ABC Tournament and participated in the Masters Division. He bowled on Beat the Champ and on Tops TV Challenge. Don won medals in the Empire State Games. He had two 800 series which he was very proud of because it took three good games to achieve plus numerous 300 and 299 games. He was inducted into the Niagara Falls Men’s Bowling Hall of Fame in 1995 and the Old Timer’s Hall of Fame in 1998.He loved working with children and anyone who wanted to learn how to bowl. Don even helped those who didn’t ask if he spotted a problem. He liked playing cards and pool and was very good at both. After his family, bowling was his love. Don will be sadly missed by all who knew him. He loved fishing with his father-in-law, Clarence Boeldt. He is survived by his loving wife of almost 50 years, Gloria (Boeldt) Wirth; two daughters, Dawn (Roland) Jamieson of Niagara Falls and Debbie (Bob) Kurek of Wilson; seven grandchildren, Laura, Steven and Brian Jamieson, Stefanie (John) Stevens, Jennifer Jordan, Katie and Andrea Kurek; a sister, Edie Wirth and a brother, John Wirth, both of Tonawanda. He was the brother of the late Bill Wirth.The family will receive friends from 2-5 and 7-9 PM Sunday in the LANE FUNERAL HOME, INC., 8622 Buffalo Avenue. Funeral services will be held Monday at 11 AM in Bacon Memorial Presbyterian Church, 166-59th Street, with the Rev. Robert W. Peck officiating. Interment will be Tuesday at 11 AM in N.F. Memorial Park, Town of Lewiston. Memorial donations may be made to Bacon Memorial Church or to Niagara Hospice, 4675 Sunset Drive, Lockport, NY 14094.Visit www.LaneFuneralHome.com for on-line guest register.