Obituary Notice – Richard N. Slawson

SILVER CREEK:  Richard N. Slawson, 86, a resident of St. Columban’s on the Lake Retirement Home, Silver Creek, formerly of Bennett State Road, Forestville, passed away peacefully Saturday, May 15th, 2021 at his residence.  He was born in Silver Creek, on May 6, 1935, the son of the late Newton R. and Doris V. (Gritman) Slawson.

  Mr. Slawson was a graduate of Silver Creek Central School, Class of 1952 and attended Alfred State before serving in the U.S. Army from 1954-1956.  From 1956-1962, Mr. Slawson was the manager of the Dairy Herd Improvement Program of Ashville, where he worked with many local Dairy Farmers.  He owned the former Chadakoin Farms, Forestville, for 37 years.  He was co-owner, with his cousin, of Slawson & Mead, Inc. in Forestville and Dunkirk and, in later years, was a driver for Walker’s Wine Juice, Forestville.

  Mr. Slawson was a Councilman for the Town of Hanover for 20 years, serving as Deputy Supervisor for 14 of those years and was active with the former Cornell Cooperative Extension Experimental Station in Fredonia, implementing various farming advances.  He was a member of J. Carter Knapp American Legion, Post #953, Forestville and a member of Silver Lodge #757, F&AM, Silver Creek.  Mr. Slawson enjoyed traveling, skiing, snowmobiling, fishing, gardening & photography.  He enjoyed making breakfast for his family on weekends and was happiest during the fall “busy season”, when welcoming loyal customers to Chadakoin Farms, and delivering apples, grapes and cider to farm stands in the area.  He gave many local teenagers their first job picking apples and tying grapes and is fondly remembered for his good-humor, his ingenuity and the quality of his products.

  Survivors include three children a son, Dana (Sharmila Aroskar) Slawson, of Los Angeles, CA; two daughters, Bethany (Douglas) DeJoe, of Gig Harbor, WA; Melinda (Timothy Hanna) Slawson, of Ithaca, NY; and a sister, Marilyn Clark, of Lawrence, KS.  Also surviving are four grandchildren Ruby Wilson, Mira Slawson, Zachary DeJoe and Nicolas DeJoe.  Besides his parents he was predeceased by his wife Patricia (Brooks) Slawson, whom he married on August 8, 1987 in the Town of Hanover and who died February 24, 2020.  Friends are welcome to call at Riles & Woolley Funeral Home, 39 Main Street, Forestville on Wednesday from 2-4 and 7-9 PM from where Funeral Services will be held Thursday morning at 11 o’clock with Rev. David Watson, pastor of the Sheridan United Methodist Church, officiating.  Interment will be at the convenience of the family in Evergreen Lawn Cemetery, Town of Hanover.  A Masonic Service will be conducted in the funeral home at 7 o’clock, by members of Silver Lodge #757, F&AM, Silver Creek

  The family suggests memorials may be made either to J. Carter Knapp American Legion Post #953, PO Box 492, Forestville, NY 14062 or to the Alzheimer’s Association WNY Chapter, 6215 Sheridan Drive, Suite 100, Amherst, NY 14228.  To post condolences or memories go to www.rilesandwoolleyfuneralhome.com.