Richard Bret "Dick" Yaw

The Villages, Florida - Mr. Richard Bret “Dick” Yaw, age 82, longtime Batavia resident, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, July 25, 2017 under the care of Cornerstone Hospice in The Villages, Florida following a brief illness. Mr. Yaw was born November 18, 1934 in West Seneca, the son of the late Charles Yaw and Ruth Woodard Yaw. Dick is preceded in death by his beautiful daughter, Mary Patricia Yaw in 1996. Surviving are his loving wife of 62 years, Maryann "Mame" Yaw; his loving children,  Kathleen Yaw of Aledo, Illinois, Todd (Amy) Yaw of Maitland, Florida and Margaret (James) Fasano of Batavia; six grandchildren, Douglas (Holly) Lamkin, Nathan Lamkin, Bret (Elizabeth) Yaw, Chelsea Yaw, Benjamin (Kimberly) Fasano and Jenna (Kevin) Arroyo; six great-grandchildren, Sydney, Cooper and Harper Lamkin, Addison and Jonah Arroyo and William Fasano; two sisters,  Carol (Richard) Smith of Lakeland, Florida and Charlene (Monroe) Kuhlkin of Spencerport; along with several nieces and nephews. A graduate of West Seneca High School in 1952 and Erie Community College in 1954, Dick and his family moved to Batavia in 1963 when he took a position with Graham Manufacturing. He would eventually leave the company to pursue other interests in metallurgy and after many successful years in the field, he retired from Q.I.S. in 2006. A diehard Buffalo Bills fan, Dick enjoyed many seasons alongside his "crew" from the "fan van" and had continued hope for a winning season until the end. An avid golfer, Dick was a lifelong member of Stafford Country Club where he served as the club president during the late '80's. Dick also enjoyed bowling, fishing with his family in Quebec and baseball. A lover of "his" New York Yankees, he was a standout third baseman while in college. A longtime member of St. Mary's Church, Dick was active in his community serving as a city councilman in the late 1970's, coaching little league and was a supporter of the YMCA. A true lover of life, Dick will be remembered for the immense joy he had in spending time with his family and friends, his infectious smile and his generous, kind spirit. There are no prior visiting hours. Dick’s Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, October 7, 2017 at 10 a.m. at St. Mary's Church, 18 Ellicott Street, Batavia.  He will be laid to rest in St. Joseph’s Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, please consider memorials to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, P.O. Box 1000, Department 142, Memphis, Tennessee 38101-9908.