WILLARD JOHN MAGAVERN, JR.
With heavy hearts, the Magavern family regrets to announce the passing of our beloved father Willard John “Jack” Magavern, Jr., 87, of Orchard Park, New York.
Jack was the proud son of Willard J. Magavern and Mildred M. Magavern, of Hamburg, NY. Jack attended the Nichols School in Buffalo, NY and later graduated from Colgate University in Hamilton, NY. While at Colgate, Jack participated in the ROTC program, which led to his enlisting with the United States Air Force and became an accomplished fighter jet pilot. He also spent time with the National Guard after returning to Buffalo.
After his time in the Air Force, he returned home and attend the University of Buffalo Law School in 1959. Upon his graduation, Jack joined his father in the Magavern & Magavern law firm in Hamburg, NY as a 3rd generation attorney. His thriving practice was focused on real property law, wills and estate law, and banking law. The practice is ongoing today, with his son, Jeffrey C. Magavern, running the firm.
Jack loved most sports and outdoor adventure. He acquired his passion for hunting, fishing, camping and skeet shooting from his father. He also was an accomplished sailor and spent most of his summers racing with his family aboard his sailboat “Turkey Shoot” on Lake Ontario, at the Island Yacht Club in Wilson, NY and the Niagara-on-the-Lake Sailing Club in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario. Jack was also an avid skier, tennis player, as well as a recreational airplane flyer. Jack frequented the Venice Flying Club in Florida, where he spent the cold winter months with his wife Marcia.
His advice was sought by others, as evidenced by his service as President of Hamburg Rotary Club, Red Jacket Ski Club, Hamburg Indoor Tennis Club and NOMIS Hunting Club in the Adirondack Mountains. He served as a Board Member of the Hamburg Chamber of Commerce, Riefler Cement Company, Monroe Abstract and Title Corporation, Presbyterian Homes of WNY, First Federal Savings and Loan of Hamburg and Liberty Bank of Hamburg.
Jack married the love of his life Marcia (McKeeman) in 1960 and they welcomed four children into their lives and homes, Sarah (Julian) Ambrus, Jeffrey (Jeanne) Magavern, Willard “John” (Diane) Magavern III and Katherine “Katie” Laird. Jack will also be remembered by his five adoring grandchildren, Emily Magavern, Jeffrey “Jace” Magavern, Jr., Courtney Ambrus, Jackson Bredenberg and Jason Laird. He is also survived by two sisters, Joan Gregory and Julie Smith, and a predeceased sister, Joyce Magavern.
No prior visitation will be held, with a private family memorial service at this time. A celebration of his life will be held by his family for friends at a future date to be named. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in his honor to The National Audubon Society, www.act.audubon.org or his favorite charity, The Wounded Warrior Project, www.woundedwarriorproject.org.
Arrangements by Loomis, Offers and Loomis, Inc. Funeral Home (716) 649-5050. Please share condolences at www.loomisoffersandloomis.com
January 3, 2021, age 87, beloved husband of 57 years to the late Marcia (nee McKeeman) Magavern; devoted father of Sarah (Julian) Ambrus, Jeffrey (Jeanne) Magavern, Willard “John” (Diane) Magavern, III and Katherine “Katie” Laird; and loving grandfather of Emily Magavern, Jeffrey “Jace” Magavern, Jr., Courtney Ambrus, Jackson Bredenberg and Jason Laird. He is also survived by two sisters Joan Gregory and Julie Smith. No prior visitation will be held, with a private family memorial service at this time. A celebration of his life will be held by his family for friends at a future date to be named. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in his honor to The National Audubon Society, www.act.audubon.org or the Wounded Warrior Project, www.woundedwarriorproject.org Arrangements by Loomis, Offers and Loomis, Inc. Funeral Home (716) 649-5050. Please share condolences at www.loomisoffersandloomis.com
