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David J. 'Dave' Orr

David J. "Dave" Orr, 79, of Williamsville, N.Y., died Wednesday, July 29, 2015, at the Buffalo VA Medical Center in Buffalo, N.Y., after a battle over several years with illnesses and deteriorating health. He was the beloved husband of Doris Kathleen (Wolos) Orr, a loving father, proud Air Force veteran and accomplished businessman.

He was the son of Percy and Helen Orr, born Sept. 2, 1935, in Buffalo. He grew up with the family, including older brother Kenneth, in Kenmore, N.Y., and graduated from Kenmore High School. He majored in business administration at the University of Buffalo.

He served in the United States Air Force from 1954 to 1961, was based near Munich, Germany, and Paris, France, and honorably discharged as an Airman first class. He was a patriotic American and loyal Air Force veteran.

After returning to the States, he met the love of his life, Doris, of Buffalo, and they were married in Buffalo on April 11, 1959. They raised three children, James, Patricia and Susan, and lived over the years in Buffalo; Cleveland, Ohio; Jamestown, N.Y .; Pittsburgh, Pa., Utica, N.Y .; and the Washington, D.C., area as Dave progressed in his career.

Most of his career was in the insurance industry with Maryland Casualty Co., where he climbed the ranks as a claim representative, supervisor and manager, Northeast United States regional supervisor, and claim research and service manager at the company's home office in Baltimore, Md. His experience included all facets of property and casualty claims expertise, and the company called upon him to establish and manage a new office in Utica. He did this exceptionally. He received specialized training with "The Maryland" and earned certificates for completion of courses and seminar instruction.

Most of his career with Maryland Casualty was in the 1970s and 1980s in Pittsburgh, where he won a prestigious national company award in 1974 based on commendations from supervisors and clients. This honor came with a reward, a memorable trip to San Francisco, Calif., for he and Doris. While in Pittsburgh, he also was a member on the Inter-Company Arbitration Panel for Western Pennsylvania.

After his wife and children, his great love was for the Buffalo Bills and the American Football League in which the team began as an original franchise in 1960. He wore his beloved team's red, white and blue as a badge of honor until his final days. There has not been and will not be a bigger Buffalo Bills fan.

Family trips were an enjoyable part of his life, most memorable being the annual vacations to Long Beach, Ontario, Canada, along Lake Erie. In later years, he and Doris traveled across America and internationally, notably to Europe and the lands of his ancestors, Ireland and Scotland.

Mr. Orr's family salutes the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the staff at the Buffalo VA Medical Center for providing prompt, dependable and professional care every step of the way this past year.

He was predeceased by his parents, Percy and Helen, and a brother, Kenneth.

Survivors include his wife, Doris; one son, James (former publisher of The Glasgow Courier), of Ellport, Pa .; two daughters, Patricia Jasko, of Buffalo, and Susan (Reed) Orr-McMangle of Pittsburgh; three grandchildren, Christopher Jasko of New Orleans, La., Kathryn Orr and Claudia Bohman, both of Pittsburgh; one great-granddaughter, Phoebe Jasko, of New Orleans; sister-in-law, Nancy Orr, of Forest Hills, Md; a brother-in-law, Lee Wolos of Safety Harbor, Fla .; seven nieces and nephews; and his dear friends.

The family received friends Sunday, Aug. 2, at Perna, Dengler, Roberts Funeral Home, 1671 Maple Road, Williamsville, N.Y. A Mass of Christian Burial was Monday, Aug. 3, at St. Gregory the Great Roman Catholic Church. 200 St. Gregory Court, Williamsville.

Condolences and memories may be left at http://www.denglerrobertspernafuneral.com.

Memorials may be made to Willow Lodge Hospice Unit at the Buffalo VA Medical Center, 3495 Bailey Ave., Buffalo, NY 14215; or the Buffalo Bills Alumni Foundation, NFLPAR Buffalo Chapter, P.O. Box 118, Getzville, NY 14068.

 

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