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Francis J. (Spike) Slavin
Loving Father and Grandfather.
CHEEKTOWAGA - Francis J. "Spike" Salvin, formerly of Eldred, PA and Olean, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family on Saturday (Feb. 9, 2009) at the Garden Gate Nursing Facility on Union Road in Cheektowaga.
Born in Spangler, PA on Jan. 4, 1909, he was the son of Frank and Margaret Entler Slavin. The family moved to Eldred, PA in 1917. He and the former Justina Baldoni were married on Sept. 12, 1938, at St. Raphael's Catholic Church in Eldred, PA. They were married for nearly 61 years until Justina's passing on Aug. 28, 1999.
He graduated from Eldred High School with the class of 1927. In June 2007, the Eldred High School Alumni Association honored him with a plaque naming him the oldest living graduate.
He became an official centenarian on Jan. 4, 2009, and celebrated his 100th birthday with nearly 80 family members and friends at Garden Gates where he resided since 2005.
"Spike," the name he acquired as a child, was active in sports while attending Eldred High School. He played football, baseball and basketball and later played with area semi-pro teams. For several years he and his brothers were represented on so many teams that the standing response when an opposing team protested a delay in the game was, "we're waiting for the Slavin to show up."
He was an active member of St. Raphael's Catholic Church in Eldred and later St. John's Catholic Church in Olean where he served as usher and lector.
He served on the Eldred Council, was president of Eldred Chamber of Commerce, a charter member of the Eldred Park Commission, served as a director and treasurer of the Eldred Rotary Club, was a member and treasurer of the Otto-Eldred Joint School Authority, the toastmaster for many local functions, a member of Eldred Fire Department where he served as chief for 13 years and served as president of the Firemen's Relief Association He served as president of the Tri-County Firemen's Association and he was also a life member of the Knights of Columbus.
On Nov. 14, 1981 he received a certificate of appreciation by the Pennsylvania Department of Community Affairs for 50 years of active community service.
He was a life member of the Eldred Volunteer Fire Department. Members of the fire department recognized him in September of 2007 with a special trophy and plaque, honoring him for his 77 years of service.
One of the borough's leading businessmen, he ran a service station in Eldred for 20 years and then built Slavin's Furniture Store on the same site, which he and his wife ran for 25 years before retiring in 1977. This building now houses the World War II Museum. After retiring, they moved to Olean in 1982 to be close to family.
He is survived by five children, Judith Ballak of Cheektowaga, Joan Casazza of Holmdel, N.J., Francis J. "Buzz" (Carol) Slavin of Phoenix, AZ, Robert (Geri) Slavin of Lake Milton, OH and Mary Elizabeth "Liz" (Pat) Conese of Ft. Myers, FA; 14 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren; a brother, Richard Slavin (Alice) of Bull Head City, AZ, and a sister Helen Matlock of Lockport.
He was predeceased by three brothers, Russell Slavin, Kenneth Slavin and Harold Slavin and a sister, Marie Root.
The family will receive friends on Monday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the Guenther Funeral Home Inc., 1303 E. State St., Olean. Funeral services will be held Tuesday (Feb. 10, 2009) beginning with a prayer service in the funeral home at 10 a.m. followed by a Mass of Christian burial in St. John's Church at 10:30 a.m. Burial will be in St. Bonaventure Cemetery, Allegany. A scripture wake service will be held in the funeral home Monday evening. Father James Vacco will be celebrant.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Sjogren's Syndrome Foundation, www.sjogrens.org or (800) 475-6473, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, www.nationalsclerosissociety.org or (800) 344-4876 or to a charity of the donor's choice.
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