George J. Navagh, attorney, ex-Elma town justice
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Aug. 16, 1931—March 17, 2009
George J. Navagh, an attorney and former Elma town justice, died Tuesday in his East Aurora home after a battle with brain cancer. He was 77.
Mr. Navagh was born and raised in Buffalo. He attended St. Joseph’s Collegiate Institute and Canisius High School. He graduated from Canisius College, where he was captain of the baseball team his junior year. He turned down an offer to play in the Cleveland Indians organization, choosing instead to attend Georgetown Law School.
He was admitted to practice law in Washington in 1957 and served in the Army’s 4th Armored Division, Judge Advocate General Section, from 1956 to 1958.
The next year, he began practicing law in Buffalo. In 1963, he became a partner in the firm later known as Goldstein, Navagh, Bulan&Chiari. For the last few years of his life, he had his own practice.
Mr. Navagh was known for his skills as a litigator and trial lawyer, as well as taking a personal interest in his clients’ cases. Among the highlights of his career was a complicated racketeering case in federal court in 1991 where one of the opposing counsels was Rudy Giuliani.
He served as Elma town justice from 1966 to 1979.
Mr. Navagh was active in sports throughout his life. He played basketball, softball, handball and golf, and later took up ice hockey and skiing. He exercised at the Knights of Columbus on Delaware Avenue.
He was a longtime member of East Aurora Country Club, where he won many tournaments and at one time held the club record for the back nine. In 1982, he and his father, George E. Navagh, were inducted into the Western New York Softball Hall of Fame.
Mr. Navagh shared his athletic knowledge by coaching youth hockey, baseball and basketball. His family was active in the Buffalo Regals hockey organization, and he coached the Regals’ girls hockey team in the mid-1970s.
Mr. Navagh is survived by two daughters, Jeanne M. and Karen R.; three sons, James J., Geoffrey P. and Gregory M.; two sisters, Elaine Farrington and Barbara Soltow; and his companion, Donna Barnett.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 11 a. m. today in St. Louis Catholic Church, Main and Edward streets.
Published: March 21, 2009, 12:30 am