Brian Lewis
WNY—Two recent fatalities dominated Western New York news cycles in recent weeks, both involving hard working dedicated CSEA public employees. A NYS DOT employee from Niagara County was involved in a two car crash on Niagara Falls Boulevard and 89th Street. Brian Lewis, 51, of Niagara Falls, was pronounced dead at Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center after the crash, which happened when he was driving to work in the early morning hours of October 20, city police said.
Brian was a 1983 graduate of Trott Vocational High School and later attended Eastern Carolina University. In 1983, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and served as a field radio operator until his honorable discharge four years later. Brian was married for more than 30 years to his loving wife, Enria (Billones) Lewis.
Brian worked for the NYS Department of Transportation for 17 years, and was currently employed as a Supervisor. He was an avid football, baseball and hockey enthusiast, and a passionate fan of the Miami Dolphins, Boston Red Sox and Toronto Maple Leafs. Above all, Brian’s life was centered on his family, especially his grandchildren.
Brian is survived by his wife and three children. If desired memorial offerings can still be made to Leukemia Society of America WNY Chapter 4053 Maple Rd. Amherst NY 14226 or to American Diabetes Association 315 Alberta Dr. Suite 102 Amherst NY 14226.
Donald Schultz
West Seneca highway employee succumbs to on-the-job injuries
On October 25, a West Seneca Highway Department employee was involved in a tragic accident with his town sewer maintenance vehicle. He died of his injuries four days later at the Erie County Medical Center.
Donald F. Schultz, 53, a 30 year employee of the town, was working on a project on Glenmar Drive around 9:00 a.m. when he lost his footing and slipped beneath the wheels of his truck while it was still in motion, according to police reports. Crews said he was flushing a sanitary sewer line at the time of the accident. Schultz was a father of six children.
Brian Cummins, Unit President for the CSEA West Seneca highway workers, has worked with Schultz for most of his 28 years on the job. “He was the type of guy who did a lot of things for everybody else,” Cummins said. “Now everybody else is doing things for his loved ones, namely, reaching out with their wallets and helping the family cope with this tragedy.”
Cummins said in emergencies like these, the local highway department comes together naturally; more like a family than a group of co-workers. Many details of the accident are still under investigation by state, local and union authorities.
Friends and co-workers have set up a GoFundMe page for the Schultz family to assist them in their time of need. To donate, you can visit this link.
