Niagara Falls Teacher and President of Gavin Tours Sightseeing

Alfonse S. 'Al' Gavin, 87 of Niagara Falls, NY passed away on Sunday October 19, 2014 at Schoellkopf Health Care Facility in Niagara Falls, NY. Born in Hagaman, NY he was the son of the late Stanley and Catherine (Bogacz) Grzywienski.

Al graduated from Wilber H. Lynch High School, Amsterdam, NY in 1946. Afterwards he enlisted in the United States Army at the end of World War II and was stationed in Berlin. He returned stateside and moved to Niagara Falls, NY. He attended Niagara University and earned his Bachelor of Arts and Masters Degrees. While at Niagara, he re-enlisted in the US Army through the ROTC program. After graduation, he was stationed at Fort Benning, Georgia and later Fort Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania where he was involved in artillery and rifle training for troops and achieved the rank of Lieutenant. Following the service, On August 30, 1952, he married Pauline 'Morley' (Morell) Gavin at St. Joseph's Church in Niagara Falls.

Al was employed by the Niagara Falls Board of Education as a Social Studies teacher for thirty five years. He spent his career teaching at Gaskill Junior High. During that time Al also worked as a private tutor. Mr. Gavin also owned and operated Gavin Tours Sightseeing in Niagara Falls for many years. In his leisure Al enjoyed photography and was a contributing author of Outpost of Empires, a school textbook of Niagara Falls history.

In addition to his wife of 62 years, he is survived by his four sons, Gerald Gavin of Niagara Falls, NY, Kenneth Gavin of Grand Island, NY, Dr. David (RuthAnn) Gavin of Ft. Myers, FL and John 'Jack' (Constance) Gavin of Nashville, TN, three grandchildren, John Gavin, Juliann Gavin, Cadet US Army and Cheyenne Gavin, one sister Cecelia (late William) Carpenter of Amsterdam, NY, as well as several nieces, nephews and cousins. He was also predeceased three brothers, and two sisters, Zygmont (late Sadie) Grzywienski, Mary Grzywienski, Anastasia (late John) Hawryl, Joseph Gryzwienski and William Gryzwienski.

Visitation will be held on Friday from 4-9 p.m. at the M.J. COLUCCI & SON NIAGARA FUNERAL CHAPEL 2730 MILITARY ROAD NIAGARA FALLS, NY Family and friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial on Saturday October 25th at 10:00 a.m. at Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph Parish at St. Joseph's Church 1413 Pine Ave. Niagara Falls, NY. EVERYONE PLEASE ASSEMBLE AT CHURCH. Interment with Military Honors will follow in Acacia Park Cemetery. If desired memorial offerings may be made to Niagara University 5795 Lewiston Road Niagara University, NY 14109. Visit www.mjcoluccifuneralchapel.com for online guest register.