Obituary of Donald E. Hafler

Donald Ernest Hafler Age 76, passed away peacefully at his home, surrounded by his loving family on Monday June 11, 2012. He is survived by his loving wife, Rosalie (Klinkiewicz) Hafler and their 7 children; Jeffrey, Elmira Heights; Scott, Tully NY; Terry (Donna), Canandaigua; Darryl (Vicky), Pine City; Michelle (Michael Battersby), Horseheads; Pamela (Ronald Morey), Chemung and Corey, Rochester; and daughter-in-law Brenda Hafler, Tully. He is also survived by his brothers; Robert (Zula) Hafler, Indianapolis, IN, Clark Hafler, Bakersfield, CA and sister; Lois Hafler, Scranton, PA; along with several nieces, nephews, and in-laws. Donald and Rosalie love and spoil their grand-children (19) and great-grand-children (12) and counting. Donald was born in Honesdale, PA to Robert and Genevieve (Bellamy) Hafler. He graduated from Honesdale High School and Williamsport Technical Institute. Donald retired after a long career with Westinghouse and later IST, both in Horseheads, NY. While at Westinghouse, he led the Explorer Scouts and saw many of his students go on to careers in electronics and engineering. Upon his retirement Don kept in touch with other Westinghouse/IST retirees with regular lunch gatherings. He was active in sports and scouting when his children were growing up. Don enjoyed tracking his family geneology and liked "surfing the net" on his computer. He was an avid hunter and could tell a deer story as good as the best of them and he had the racks in his basement to back up the stories. Donald was a long time active member of St. Charles Borromeo Church in Elmira Heights, and he and Rosalie made sure all of their children had the necessary spiritual foundation. Friends are invited to McInerny Funeral Home, corner of W. Water and Walnut Sts., on Thursday, June 14, 2012 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. A prayer service will be held at the funeral home on Friday, June 15, 2012 at 9:15 a.m., followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m. at St. Charles Borromeo Church, Elmira Heights. Interment, with committal prayers, will follow at St. Mary Our Mother Cemetery, Horseheads. In lieu of flowers, those wishing, may remember Don with a donation to one of the following…Christ the Redeemer Parish, 304 Demarest Parkway, Elmira NY 14905, Southern Tier Hospice, 11751 E. Corning Road, Corning NY 14830, or Meals On Wheels, 150 Fox Street, Elmira NY 14901. Donald's family extends their heartfelt gratitude to his life-long best friend, and co-worker, James Robbins of Pine Valley, long-time friends, Larry Howe and Bob Russell, neighbors, Harvey and Joanne Harris, and the entire health team staff that have been there for, and cared for Don over the last several months. A special thank you to Amber and Lynn Fahs for their wonderful care. Even with all the outside help that was forth coming, it was the selfless dedication of Don's family…Jeff, Darryl, Vicky, Michelle, and Michael that allowed Don to stay in his own home until his passing.