Peter Dawson

Peter G. Dawson, 82, of Lakewood, NY, passed away peacefully on Monday, November 3, 2025,
at UPMC Chautauqua, with family at his side. He was born November 15, 1942, in Rochester,
NY, the son of the late Lawrence and Elsie Holley Dawson.
Peter graduated from Edgewater High School in Orlando, FL, and attended Jamestown
Community College and Parsons College in Fairfield, Iowa. He joined his parents in the family
real estate business, Dawson Brokers, and through hard work and vision expanded it to include
five offices and numerous agents throughout Chautauqua County. He served as president of the
Jamestown Board of Realtors and retired from real estate in 1995.
Following his retirement, Peter continued to stay active in the community, selling Class A dress
uniforms to fire departments across Chautauqua County. He later worked as a substitute teacher
at Falconer High School and as a bus and tram driver at Chautauqua Institution, where he
became well known for his "thought for the day" messages, shared at the front of his classroom
or bus. A dedicated member of St. Luke's Episcopal Church, Peter served as a lay reader and lay
Eucharistic minister. His commitment to service was perhaps best exemplified by his 64 years
with the Lakewood Volunteer Fire Department, where he served as Chief, President, and-his
most cherished role-Chaplain. He also served as Chaplain for the Chautauqua County Fire
Chiefs Association and for several police and fire departments throughout the county.
Peter was an active member and past president of The Cabin, as well as a longtime member of
the Chautauqua Lake Yacht Club.
Known for his humor, warmth, and ability to connect with anyone, Peter made friends wherever
he went and took great pride in sharing stories and history about the place he called home. Those
who knew him will fondly remember his, love for life, devotion to others, his nature as a
gentleman, His wit and humor, and his favorite expressions, including "Are we having fun yet?"
and "Imagine my joy!"
He is survived by his wife, Linda Anderson Dawson, whom he married on June 30, 1972; three
sons, Campbell (Lisa) Dawson and Mac Dawson, both of Jamestown, NY, and Patrick Dawson
of Boulder, CO; five grandchildren, Olivia, Owen, Miles, Sydney, and Ophelia Dawson; and his
brother, Lawrence "Chip" (Shirley) Dawson of Rochester, NY.
A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, November 14, 2025, at St. Luke's Episcopal
Church in Jamestown, NY. Burial will follow in Sunset Hill Cemetery, Lakewood, NY.
Friends will be received from 3 to 5 p.m. on Thursday at Lind Funeral Home, Jamestown, NY.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Lakewood Volunteer Fire Department or to St.
Luke's Episcopal Church.
Condolences may be shared online at LindFuneralHome.com.