ROBERT TECLAW: WNY loses Drum and Bugle Corps icon

http://www.observertoday.com/opinion/the-observers-view/2017/06/robert-teclaw-wny%E2%80%88loses-drum-and-bugle-corps-icon/

On Sunday, Robert A. Teclaw went home to be with the Lord. He was 84 years old.

Bob was director of the Alumni Drum Corps. In 2006, the Corps was incorporated and Bob was made the drum major. Under his leadership, the Alumni has entertained crowds all over Western New York and Pennsylvania.

Bob had been involved in drum corps ever since he was a young man, starting as a cymbal player with the old Flying Dutchmen Drum Corps. He eventually played drums and then he was voted in as drum major. It was a big deal in those days, because you really had to know your stuff. According to his friends, Bob learned to be a drum major from Bitzy Briggs, the Dutchmen’s horn instructor, whom he highly respected.

Bob was a major factor in the forming of the Patriots Drum Corps, which won their first field show under his leadership.

Bob and his corps have won numerous awards and trophies throughout the years. A parade was not a parade without seeing Bob leading his corps with pride. Many people knew and respected him. His knowledge and leadership will be sadly missed by family, friends and Alumni membership. Nobody has done more to keep drum corps alive in Western New York than Bob has.

He will be missed.

Robert A. Teclaw

http://www.observertoday.com/obituaries/2017/06/robert-a-teclaw/

Robert A. Teclaw, age 84, a life long resident of Dunkirk passed away after a lengthy illness on Sunday, June 25th at Elderwood in Hamburg, NY.

He was born on May 10, 1933 in Dunkirk, son of the late Leon and Julia Kuzdale Teclaw.

A lifetime member of Blessed Mary Angela RC Parish St Hyacinth’s Church, a former member of St. Joseph’s Men’s Society, the 1st Ward Falcons Club, and Dunkirk Hose Co. No. 1. He was also a avid Fredonia State sports booster.

He retired from Dunkirk Radiator Corp. and he previously worked at Plymouth Tube.

Bob’s love and passion was marching in drum and bugle corps. Marching with the Flying Dutchmen, Dunkirk Patriots, the Renegades, and the Western New York Alumni where he also served as Corps Director.

Survivors include his daughter Julie Banach and grandson Michael Szach both of Buffalo, and several cousins.

Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his sister Mildred Pangborn.

Funeral services will be held Thursday morning at 9:15 a.m. from the Newman Funeral Home, Inc. and at 10 o’clock in Blessed Mary Angela RC Parish St. Hyacnth’s Church with the Rev. Jan Trela officiating. Interment will follow in St. Hyacinth’s Cemetery.

Friends are invited to call at the funeral home on Wednesday from 4 to 8. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the WNY Alumni Corps, PO Box 565, Dunkirk, NY 14048.

Frewsburg To Host 92nd Annual Frewsburg Fire Gala Days June 15-18

http://www.post-journal.com/news/local-news/2016/06/frewsburg-to-host-92nd-annual-frewsburg-fire-gala-days-june-15-18/

FREWSBURG – A nearly century-old tradition will return to Frewsburg later this month when the Frewsburg Fire Gala Days are held over the course of four-days.

Sponsored and hosted by the Frewsburg Fire Company, the 92nd annual event will be held Wednesday, June 15, through Saturday, June 18, throughout the village in an effort to raise funds for its resident fire company.

The event will kick off at 6 p.m. on June 15-17, and 3 p.m. on June 18. It will include Midway rides, games, food, live music and a fireworks display. Music will be provided by Two For Flinching on Friday, June 17, and Smokin’ 45 on Saturday, June 18.

The parade will commence at 4 p.m. Saturday, June 18, featuring a variety of floats, area marching bands and fire trucks representing several Chautauqua County fire departments. The fireworks will also be held the same evening at dusk.

Most of the activities and attractions will be held along a portion of Main Street and Hazzard Street, where the Station Two grounds are located.

For more information on this year’s Frewsburg Gala Days event, contact Tom at 570-1145 or find “Frewsburg Fire Gala Days” on Facebook.