Obituary of Walter Blackman

Walter E. Blackman, 96, of Blackman Homestead Farm, Cambria, NY, passed away on Monday, April 25, 2011 after a short illness and under loving care of nurses and his children at Niagara Hospice House, Lockport, NY. Walter was born December 7, 1914 in Lockport, NY, the son of Walter E., Sr. and Mae A. (Hoag) Blackman. He graduated from Lockport High School in 1932 and married the late Janice (Fogle) Blackman in 1938. Janice died May 31, 1994. Walter farmed all his life on Thrall Road, Cambria and was a life member of the Cambria Congregational Church. His many civic obligations were charter member of the Cambria Volunteer Fire Company; 14 years on the Starpoint Board of Education, instituting the centralization of the Starpoint District; over 50 years on North Ridge Burial Association board; instrumental in establishment of the Inter-Community Memorial Hospital, Newfane, as a Founding Member of the Board of Directors. He served on the Cambria Zoning Board; Niagara County Civil Service Commission; Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service (ASCS); and was a member of the Niagara County Farm Bureau and other agriculture organizations. He enjoyed winters at Saddlebag Lake, Lake Wales, FL, playing games of golf and horseshoes. He is survived by his children Barbara A. (Harold) Hartwig; Robert E. (Margaret) Blackman, Lockport, NY and the late (infant) David Lee Blackman. Eight grandchildren, Daniel (Kathleen) Hartwig of Spencerport, NY; Mary (Bruce) Zeller of Newfane, NY; Timothy (Barbara) Hartwig of Myrtle Beach, SC; Rebecca (Robert) Miller of Grand Island, NY. Julie Blackman of Lockport, NY; Jennifer (Daniel) Irvin of Prides Crossing, MA; Molly (Steven) Dunn of Danvers, MA; and Jeffrey Blackman of New York, NY and twelve great grandchildren; Krista Mae, Marc and Bradley Hartwig; Derek, Troy and Maegan Zeller; Robert, Elizabeth and Elaine Irvin; Jane and Evelyn Dunn and the late (infant) Robert J. Miller Jr. The family will be present on Wednesday, April 27th 7-9 and Thursday, April 28th, 2-4, 7-9 at Prudden and Kandt Funeral Home, 242 Genesee St, Lockport, NY. Funeral service will be Friday, April 29th at 10 AM with Rev. Todd Blackely officiating. Burial will follow in North Ridge Cemetery, Church Rd., Town of Cambria. Memorials may be made to the Cambria Congregational Church, 4045 Lower Mountain Rd., Lockport, NY 14094; Cambria Volunteer Fire Company, 4631 Cambria-Wilson Rd, Lockport, NY 14094; or Niagara Hospice, 4675 Sunset Dr., Lockport, NY 14094. Visit www.pruddenandkandt.com. <h3>Visitation</h3> The family will be present on Wednesday, April 27th 7-9 and Thursday, April 28th, 2-4, 7-9 at Prudden and Kandt Funeral Home, 242 Genesee St, Lockport, NY. <h3>Services</h3> Funeral service will be Friday, April 29th at 10 AM with Rev. Todd Blackely officiating in the funeral home. <h3>Interment</h3> Burial will follow in North Ridge Cemetery, Church Rd., Town of Cambria.