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Obit: Allan V. VanDenBosch

Sat, Feb 7th 2015 07:00 am

Allan V. VanDenBosch, age 81, a lifelong resident of Lewiston, died after a lengthy illness Sunday, Feb. 1, 2015, in Niagara Hospice House in Lockport.

Allan was born Oct. 7, 1933, in Lewiston, the son of the late Victor J. and Violet (Armstrong) VanDenBosch. He was quite proud of the fact that both he and his mother were born in the same room on their family's homestead.

Allan graduated from the Lewiston Red Brick School and from Bishop Duffy High School. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1953 and served until his honorable discharge in 1956. While in the Army, he served with the military police and boxed. He fought in the Golden Gloves under the name "Allan Day."

After returning from military service, Allan worked as an operating engineer on the New York state Power Project and became a member of the HARD HATS of America, a tribute to the men who worked on the project. In 1961, Allan joined the Niagara Falls Police Department as a patrol officer, retiring in 1990. During that time, he was president of the Police Club.

He was a life member of VFW Post No. 7487 in Lewiston, the Loyal Order of Moose Lewiston Lodge No. 584, a charter member of the Lewiston Kiwanis, a member of the Police Benevolent Association and a communicant of St. Peter's R.C. Church in Lewiston.

Allan always loved the outdoors, whether walking his beat in Niagara Falls, hunting at the family camp in Westfield, or riding his four-wheeler on his farm. He loved the history of Lewiston and enjoyed telling stories of the "good old days."

He was predeceased by his wife of 48 years, Ruth A. (Sherwood) VanDenBosch, on Aug. 18, 2010. He is survived by seven children: Pamela A. (Darryl) May of Ransomville; Cynthia (William) Ferry of Greenville, North Carolina; Victoria L. (Matt) Freehill of Tillamook, Oregon; Allan A. (Cameo) of Kissimmee, Florida; Timothy J. and Brian K. (Pearl) VanDenBosch, both of Ransomville; and Jennifer Lynn VanDenBosch of Niagara Falls. Additional survivors include two brothers: Laurence (Susan) VanDenBosch of Wilson and Paul (Joan) VanDenBosch of Ransomville; two sisters: Dorothy (late Thomas) Napier and Janine (late Ernest) Murdoch both of Lewiston; a granddaughter, Dana Nicole VanDenBosch, who lived with and was raised by Ruth and Allan and was considered a daughter; 15 other grandchildren; four great grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by two brothers: Jack (late Dolores) and William "Bill" VanDenBosch; and by two sisters: Norma (late Ivan) Harvey and Joan (late Joel) Dougherty.

Visitation was held Wednesday at Hardison Funeral Home, North Fourth and Ridge streets, Lewiston. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Thursday at St. Peter's R.C. Church, with the Rev. Msgr. David G. LiPuma officiating. Burial with military honors followed at Dickersonville Cemetery, Lewiston.

Memorials may be made to Niagara Hospice, 4675 Sunset Drive, Lockport, NY 14094 or to the Lewiston Volunteer Fire Co. No. 1 Ambulance Fund, 145 N. Sixth St., P.O. Box 748, Lewiston, NY 14092.

Visit www.hardisonfuneralhomes.com for online condolences.

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