Obituary of Gustave A. Napoleon

Gustave A. "Gus" Napoleon

Allegany, NY     Gustave A. "Gus" Napoleon of 3813 West Branch Rd. passed away Tuesday (August 21, 2018) at the Olean General Hospital.

Born November 15, 1925 in Trenton, NJ he was the son of Gustave and Theresa Howe Napoleon.  In 1964 in East Stroudsburg, PA he married the love of his life Joan M. Furman who survives.

Gus was raised in the catholic faith and graduated from Trenton Catholic High School.  He then attended the former St. Charles College in Catonsville, MD and, subsequent to that, attended St. Mary's Seminary College in Baltimore where he received a bachelor's degree in theology and philosophy.

He moved to Allegany in 1963 upon learning from a Franciscan friar of a teaching position at Allegany Central School.  He taught English and Latin as well as public speaking and writing for 25 years until his retirement in 1988.  His passion for teaching continued at St. Bonaventure University for the next 10 years as he supervised student teachers and taught Methods of Teaching.  

All during his adult life he received great joy in expressing his talent in the arts.  He was inducted into the Allegany Limestone Central School Hall of Fame for his 18 years as director of the junior play and for being the "Voice of the Blue Devils" for athletic events.  He was also the school's golf coach.  For years he acted in many performances with the Olean Community Theater as well as the Theater Workshop.  He treasured his relationships with those he entertained with and they recognized his years of contributions by bestowing on him the Golden Robe Award.

Gus was a member of St. Bonaventure Church and a former president of the Retired Teacher's Association-Western Board.  He served as a member of the Allegany Limestone Board of Education, was instrumental in the formation of the former Carl D. Lackey Foundation, and was a volunteer for Interfaith Caregivers.  He was honored as a recipient of the YMCA's "Salute to Olean."  To his family, they loved him for his giving spirit, his unwavering support, his being the family "Santa Claus", and they treasured his guidance in the development of their mind and bodies.

Surviving in addition to Joan are a daughter Jean (Randy) Ewings of Olean; a son Chris (Melanie) Napoleon of Allegany; 7 grandchildren Nicole (Cody) Cochran, Matthew Ewings, Courtney Ewings, Zack Ewings, Roman Napoleon, Gus Napoleon and Angelina Napoleon; 2 great grandchildren Kennedy Ewings and Evelyn Cochran; 1 brother Joseph (Patricia) Napoleon of Barnegat Light, NJ; 1 sister Faye Kovac of Trenton, NJ and numerous niece and nephews.

He was predeceased by a sister Theresa Paglione of Trenton, NJ.

Friends will be received today (Thursday) from 1-3 & 6-8pm at the Casey, Halwig & Hartle Funeral Home, 3128 W. State Rd. Olean and again on Friday (August 24, 2018) from 9:30 to 10:30am.  A prayer service will begin at 10:30am in the funeral home, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00am in St. Bonaventure Church.  Rev. James Vacco, OFM, pastor, will be the celebrant.  Burial will be in St. Bonaventure Cemetery.

Memorials, if desired, may be made to Interfaith Caregivers, 212 Laurens St, Olean, NY 14760 or to Olean Community Theater, 3131 5 Mile Rd, Allegany, NY 14706.  Online condolences may be expressed at oleanfuneralhome.com.