Wilbur James “Cy” Dawson
Wellsville, NY. -- Wilbur James “Cy” Dawson, 93, passed away at Jones Memorial Hospital on Monday, November 27, 2023, after a long illness. Mr. Dawson, son ofJames H. and Alice (Burrell) Dawson, was born September 3, 1930, in Bradford, PA. During his childhood, Cy spent many pleasant times with his maternal grandparents, Wesley and Grace Burrell in Farmersville Station, near Frankinville, NY. After his mother passed, Cy moved to Wellsville to live with his father and stepmother, Gladys, graduating from Wellsville High School in 1949.
Cy was always a good worker. At the age of 14 years, he was hired by Producers Gas Co. in Olean, NY to deliver their monthly bills. He rode his bicycle from street to street and door to door to deliver those bills. When he moved to Wellsville, he worked at the second-floor bowling alley on North Main Street setting up pins. He was also an usher at the Babcock Theatre.
After high school graduation Cy worked for Short’s Station in Friendship, NY for a few months and in 1950 joined the army for two years, spending some of that time in occupied Germany. After his separation from the service in 1952, he worked for Fred Short’s Service Stations on Dyke Street and on the Andover Road in Wellsville for several years. In 1956 he was employed by the then Air Preheater (now Ljungstrom) working the two jobs until 1962. He retired in 1993.
In 1954 Cy married the former Beverly Bartlett in the Allentown United Methodist Church. They lived in Wellsville and Allentown before purchasing a “gentleman’s farm” in Belmont, NY, where they and their family of three children enjoyed having room for their five horses, and eventually a few Holstein calves. The Dawsons have lived “on the farm” for 60 years.
Cy was a member of the Allentown United Methodist Church, and a life member of the Herbert DeLong Post 808, American Legion in Belmont, NY. He was a former member of the Wellsville F&AM #230, and the Corning Consistory, the M.Eva Williams Chapter #192 Order of the Eastern Star in Belmont, NY. Cy was also a former Director on the Allegany County Fair Board.
In 1985 Cy and Bev purchased a camp at Black Lake, in St. Lawrence County, a popular spot for fishing, enjoyed by many Allegany County residents. They spent as much time there as possible for 35 summers and made many close friends there.Cy and Bev also traveled to England a couple of times to visit Bev’s god-daughterHelen, and Helen’s parents, Dave and Doreen Argue.
One of Cy’s favorite pastimes was refurbishing old Economy (Power King) tractors and taking them to various tractor shows. He and his son David were known as “Team Orange”, with orange being the color of their tractors. Cy and David spent many hours together in their barn workshop making the old tractors look new again. Cy was very proud of that bright red barn and never refused anyone the privilege of stopping to take a picture of it.
Besides his wife Beverly, Mr. Dawson is survived by three children: Debra (Dirk) Knapp, of Belmont NY, Donna (Dominic) DiGirolamo of Belmont, NY, and David(Cathy) Dawson of Scio, NY: four grandchildren: Eric (Carissa) Knapp ofBelmont, NY, Danielle R. (Paul J.) Hinson of White Post, VA, Susan Wnek ofOrchard Park, NY, and Aaron J. (Katelyn) Dawson of Cheektowaga, NY; three great-granddaughters: Brinley Hinson, Annabelle Wnek, and Brynn Wnek, two great grandsons: Sebastian Wnek and Liam Hinson. Cy is also survived by one brother-in-law, James (the late Norma) Bartlett and sisters-in-law Thelia Swarthout and Ann (the late Stephen) Austin, several cousins, nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, sisters Constance (the late Anthony) Walsh of Erie,PA, Joyce (the late Leo) Eaton, Ruth (Don) Marsh, brother George (Janice) Buckout, sister and brother-in-law Gloria and Melvin Clark.
At Cy’s request, there will be no visitation or services. A private family celebration of life will be held later this summer. Memorials may be sent to: the Allentown United Methodist Church, 5815 NY-417, Allentown, NY 14707; The SPCAServing Allegany County, 5440 NY-19, Belmont, NY 14813; or to a charity of choice. To leave online condolences please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com.