Charles W. "Chuck" Corson

Charles W. 'Chuck' Corson, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend.


OLEAN - Charles W. "Chuck" Corson passed away Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025, in Gowanda Rehabilitation & Nursing Center.


Charles was born in Olean on March 9, 1935, to Richard and Margaret Lundy Corson. In 1958, he married Jane Rose Jordan of Olean. Charles and Jane were married for 45 years until her death in 2004. In 2005, Charles married Joan R. Melaro of Olean.


He was a 1953 graduate of Olean High School. After high school, he entered the U.S. Army, where he served in the Korean War.


Upon honorable discharge in 1957, he went to work for New York Telephone for most of his professional career.


He was a lifelong resident of Olean and a member of St. John's Church. Charles was an active member of the Olean Exchange Club and Ancient Order of Hibernians. He was dedicated to sharing his love of his Irish heritage.


During the 1970s, he was instrumental in organizing the Miss New York State Pageant and Parade in Olean, a preliminary to the Miss America Pageant.


He was active and supportive in local and state government politics. In the 1980s Charles ran as the Republican candidate for State Assembly. In his post-retirement years, he worked as a court officer for the Cattaraugus County Sheriff's Department and a member of the grounds and maintenance team at Holiday Valley Resort.


Along with being a die-hard Notre Dame and Bills fan, he enjoyed many hunting seasons with his grandsons, family and friends.


He is survived by his wife, Joan R. Corson; daughters, Amy Jo (Michael) Kieta of Longs, S.C. and Meg (Todd) Thomas of Boca Raton, Fla.; stepdaughters, Janice (Robert) Blovsky of Olean and Judy (Tom) Gavigan of Racine, Wis.; stepson, Joseph (Laura) Melaro of Chattanooga, Tenn.; grandchildren, Eric Earley of Kennedy, Troy (Kristina) Earley of Randolph, Todd, Shane and Lauren Thomas of Boca Raton, Brock (Sarah) Blovsky of Olean, Nick (Samanatha) Blovsky, of Oberline, Ohio, Jake (Jenna) Melaro of Henderson, Tenn., Noah Melaro of Henderson, Cami (Jordan) Rackley of Birmingham, Ala., Katie (Jeff) Oldenburg of Brookfield, Wis., Dan (Robin) Gavigan of Racine, Emily (Chris) Botkin, Rebecca Stout and Joey Stout, of Vero Beach, Fla., Vicki Melaro of Olean and Katie Melaro of Allegany; several great-grandchildren; and nieces and nephews.


He was predeceased by his wife, Jane Corson; sisters, Geraldine Wenke, Mary Linehan, Norma Rickicke, Eileen Corson, Kathleen Wenke and Violet Butler; a brother, Richard Corson; and his stepchildren, Jean Melaro Stout and James Melaro.


A celebration of Chuck's life will be announced at a later date.


Arrangements are under the direction of Guenther Funeral Home, Inc., 1303 E. State St., Olean.


Online condolences may be shared at www.guentherfh.com.