Donald Blair Fraser, 88, a former Grand Island town assessor and member of the Zoning Board of Appeals, passed away Sunday, July 2, 2017.
He was a resident of Grand Island since 1959.
Born in Buffalo to Donald Scott and Ella Mae (Briggs) Fraser, Donald is survived by his wife of 66 years, Rena (Robert) Fraser; daughter, Diana Fraser Govern (Joseph) of Boston, Massachusetts; and son, Robert Scott Fraser of Grand Island. He was predeceased by his sister, Yvonne Barbara Fraser of Toronto and Niagara Falls, Ontario.
Donald was a graduate of the University at Buffalo and served as a master sergeant in the U.S. Army. He was very involved in the betterment of the community serving early on as president of the Elmwood Avenue Business Association and, after moving to Grand Island, president of the Republican Club, town committeeman, director of the Chamber of Commerce, member of the Zoning Board of Appeals (1972-79), Taxpayers Association, Lions Club, and the University Club of Buffalo. Over the years he also took part in organizing activities for the Boy Scouts.
For many years, Donald worked as a general contractor, and in 1965 became sole owner of Donald S. Fraser and Son Inc. After closing the business, he became assessor of Grand Island and went on to work for the New York State Office of General Services.
Donald had a keen interest in forestry and planted hundreds of spruce trees on his Grand Island property. As a member of the Forest Growers Association, he traveled to numerous parks across the country. For some years, he raised sheep and kept honeybees. Donald also enjoyed researching genealogy, especially his Scottish and Canadian heritage.
At the family's request, funeral services and interment at Whitehaven Cemetery of Grand Island will be private. Memorial donations in Donald's memory may be made to American Parkinson Disease Association, 135 Parkinson Ave., Staten Island, NY 10305-1425.
Arrangements by Kaiser Funeral Home.
