Frederick L. Stives Jr.

1945 - 2025

Frederick L. Stives Jr.,

husband, father, grandfather, friend

BOLIVAR - Frederick L. Stives Jr., 79, of 85 Wellsville St., Bolivar, passed away Monday (Jan. 6, 2025) after a short illness.

Born Dec. 31, 1945, in Wellsville, he was the son of Frederick and Beulah Cole Stives, Sr. On Oct. 14, 2006, at the Bolivar Country Club, he married the former Ella M. Slocum, who survives.

Fred was a graduate of Bolivar Central School, Class of 1964. While in high school he was a three-sport athlete and played football one season with a broken arm. He attended Alfred Tech. He proudly served in the U.S. Army from 1965 to 1967.

When he returned to Bolivar he went to work for the former Clark Brothers in Olean, holding various positions from March 8, 1965 until his retirement on Dec. 31, 2008.

Fred was active in the Bolivar community for many years. He was a life member and past commander of the Kenyon Andrus American Legion Post 772, was a former Village of Bolivar patrolman and Village of Bolivar town justice. He was also a past commander of the Allegany County American Legion, served as the 8th District vice commander of the American Legion, was past chief of the Bolivar Fire Department and Bolivar Rescue Squad.

As an avid sports fan he coached football, softball and little league. He was season ticket holder for the St. Bonaventure men's basketball and the Buffalo Bills for many years. He also followed the Chicago Cubs and attended many sporting events of the Bolivar-Richburg teams, but the girl's softball team held a special place in his heart.

There wasn't a vacation or place that Fred went where he didn't know someone. He always enjoyed conversing with his friends, going to auctions, hosting yard sales or attending the Springville auction and delivering the purchases his friends requested.

Each year he looked forward to attending the Erie County Fair and horse pulls, and let's not forget an occasional trip to the casino. Spending time with his family was always especially important to him and he always brought the relish tray personalized for the occasion.

In addition to his wife, Ella, he is survived by a son, Billy Stives of Belmont; a daughter, Donna (Kevin) Ewing of Wellsville; two granddaughters, Madison Ewing and Kennedy Ewing; two brothers-in-law, Dave (Cheryl) Slocum of Wellsville and Ed (Suzanne) Slocum of Little Genesee; a sister-in-law, Karen Slocum of Wellsville; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by a sister and brother-in-law, Shirley (Dana) Bradford; and his lifelong best friend, Charlie Hahn.

Friends will be received from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday (Jan, 12, 2025) from 11 a.m. until noon Monday (Jan. 13, 2025) at the Mark F. Rinker Funeral Home & Memorial Service, Inc., 554 S. Main St., Bolivar. The Rev. David Herne will officiate a funeral service beginning at noon in the Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Bolivar-Richburg Sports Booster, c/o Alice Hackett, 100 School St., Bolivar, NY 14715. Please note on the donation to be used for the softball team.

Online condolences may be sent at www.rinkerfuneralhome.com.