Harry E. Boyer, 104 of Batavia, passed away peacefully on Tuesday (December 10, 2024) at the New York State Veterans Home in Batavia, NY.
He was born February 23, 1920 in Tonawanda, NY, a son of the late William and Betty Sablotny Boyer.
In 1953, he and his wife Elma, built their dream home in the Town of Alabama where he resided for 60 years before moving to his present apartment in Batavia. Harry served honorably during World War II with the U.S. Army from 1944-1946. He was witness to both theatres, serving first in Italy and then the Philippines and Japan for the occupation. He served as a motor mechanic for the Signal Corp.
Before and after he was drafted into the Army, he worked as a tool & die maker for the Farrel Machinery Group in Buffalo and Rochester for 45 years. After retirement, he became interested in woodworking and craft projects.
He volunteered faithfully for the Batavia Senior Center until he was 99 years old and also enjoyed taking Veterans from the Batavia VA Medical Center out to lunch. He was a proud member of the East Aurora American Legion for 63 years, the Ira Spring Post 273 VFW in Oakfield for many years and later the Batavia VFW. He was one of 56 Western New Yorkers to take part in one of Steve Hawley’s Honor Flights in 2009.
Harry was married for 57 years to Elma Keem Boyer, who passed away in 1998. He was also predeceased by his siblings, William Boyer Jr., Robert Boyer and Helen Girods.
Survivors include his daughter and son in-law, Janie and Bill Messinger of Batavia. Grandchildren, Jeanine Messinger of Niagara Falls and Kyle (Mary Kay) Messinger of Darien Center. Nieces, Judy Milhollen, Cyrene Winkler and Valerie Mitchell. Also survived by his dear friends, Patricia Passage and Clayton and Diane Fry.
Family and friends are cordially invited to share thoughts, condolences and fond memories on Tuesday (December 17th) from 2-5pm at the J. Leonard McAndrew Funeral Home, LLC, 2 Bogue Ave., Batavia, where military honors will be rendered at 3:30pm. He will be laid to rest next to his wife in the West Bethany Cemetery.
Memoiral donations in his name may be offered to Meals on Wheels of Genesee County, 2 Bank Street, Batavia, NY 14020. Expressions of sympathy may be shared with the family at www.mcandrewfuneralhomes.net.
ARRANGEMENTS WERE ENTRUSTED TO THE J. LEONARD McANDREW FUNERAL HOME, LLC, 2 BOGUE AVE., BATAVIA, NY 14020. RONALD KONIECZNY II, DIRECTOR.
