Roy J. Timberlake, had heart transplant in 1988
Nov. 18, 1932—June 29, 2009
Roy Jerome “Jerry” Timberlake, of Cheektowaga, who lived for 21 years with a transplanted heart, died June 29 in Buffalo Veterans Affairs Medical Center. He was 76.
Born in Scranton, Pa., the fifth of nine children, he came to Cheektowaga with his family as a boy and attended Maryvale High School. He served for four years in the Marine Corps and was wounded in action in the Korean War. He received a Bronze Star and three Purple Hearts.
Mr. Timberlake worked for 25 years at Spencer Kellogg Research Facility, retiring as maintenance supervisor in 1979 due to his health. He underwent a heart transplant in 1988 and was told then that he probably had three years to live.
Mr. Timberlake was a life member of Korean Era Memorial Post 203, Disabled American Veterans, in Depew and visited, comforted and encouraged other veterans with his own stories of hope and faith.
An active member of MacAlpine Presbyterian Church for 50 years, he served on the board of elders and the board of trustees. He helped with church repairs and started the church’s first food bank.
When the church sponsored a Chinese family to come to the United States in 1986, Mr. Timberlake provided them an apartment and helped them study English and American history so they could become citizens.
He was active in the Boy Scouts for 25 years and served 17 years as scoutmaster of Troop 55 at MacAlpine Presbyterian Church.
Surviving are his wife of 54 years, the former Nancy Goodroe; two daughters, Susan Bogdan and Paula Montoro; a son, Aaron S.; four sisters, Janet Chubbuck, Patricia Quibell, Joyce MacDonald and Rebecca Peterson; and a brother, Brian J.
A memorial service will be at 10 a. m. Saturday in St. Stephens Bethlehem United Church of Christ, 750 Wehrle Drive, Cheektowaga.
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