Roger Van Every

Roger A. Van Every, Sr., 90 of Lakewood, died Friday May 23, 2025, in UPMC Chautauqua.
He was born August 1, 1934, in Jamestown, a son of the late Walter H and Jane E Simmons Van Every.
Following graduation from Southwestern Central School in 1953 he was employed at Hopes windows and was then drafted into the US Army where he served active duty from 1957-59 and then in the reserves until 1963.
Prior to his COVID enforced layoff (leading to retirement at the age of 85), he had been employed by Hopes Windows for 65 plus years. Leaving the job was not by choice and he often said (including two days before he passed) that "he wished he was still working". He visited Hopes Plant 1 often (including in the weeks before he passed). Thank you to the owners, managers, and employees for allowing him to continue to be part of the Hopes family.
Surviving are three children Roger (Julie) Van Every of Russell, PA, Reid (Dawn) Van Every of Lakewood, NY and Jane Van Every (Doug Johnson) of Lakewood, NY; four grandchildren Matthew (Abbi) Van Every, Corinne (Jordan) Briggs, Chad Van Every, and Victoria (Bryant) Knowles; great grandchildren Everhett and Dawson Briggs, Madalyn and Natalie Franklin as well as Jane/Doug's grandchildren Kendall, Kaylee, and Kwynn Couse, and Grace Swan. And, many nieces and nephews.
Roger never missed an opportunity to cheer on his children and grandchildren (and great grandchildren) at their school activities and sporting events.
Roger coached both of his sons little and lion league baseball teams in the early/mid 1970s (Busti Royals, Busti Cubs) and was head coach of the Lakewood Sailors midget football light-weight team as well as an assistant coach on the heavy weight squad in the early/mid 1970s when Reid played and Jane cheered.
Roger had unique bonds with each of his grandchildren and great grandchildren and attended all of their sporting events and other activities as much as possible. He loved them equally but carried on an extremely unique bond with his grandson Chad who called grandpa at least twice EVERYDAY from the day he learned to talk as an infant right up to the day grandpa became ill. It did not matter to grandpa what time of day Chad called; grandpa lived for those calls.
Roger was preceded in death by his brothers, Walter Van Every Jr., Richard Van Every, and Gordon Van Every, and sisters, Dorothy Bush and Donna Lindstrom.
Visitation will be from 10AM to Noon with service to follow at noon this Saturday May 31st in the Lind Funeral Home. Pastor Warren VanDewark will officiate.
Burial will be in Sunset Hill Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to The Lakewood and/or Busti Volunteer Fire Departments or an organization of their choice.