Andrew Baxter Jr. Obituary

Andrew Baxter of Niagara Falls, NY passed away at the Schoellkopf Health Center on Monday, June 7, 2004. Mr. Baxter was born on January 1, 1932 in Niagara Falls, NY. He was the first baby boy born in Niagara Falls in 1932; his parents (Janet McKay and Andrew Baxter) received a $25 gift from Max Oppenheim with the offer to raise him if anything happened to his parents. He graduated from Niagara Falls High School in 1950. Baxter was employed by Moore Business Forms and then by the Niagara Falls Gazette as a pressman, a job he held for 37 years until his retirement in 1994. Mr. Baxter also substituted as a pressman at the Buffalo News and the former Courier Express. Andrew served in the United States Army; he arrived in Korea the day the truce was signed. Mr. Baxter toured Korea singing in a group as part of a morale-building unit. Mr. Baxter was known for his singing voice. He performed in various local groups ranging from the Skola Cantorum, the Mary Mitchell Singers to the Niagara Frontier Male Chorus to the Good Sound. He also soloed at wedding ceremonies, funerals, and in the church choir.

Mr. Baxter was a long-time member of the First Baptist Church of Niagara Falls where he was active the in the choir and with the Diaconate. Baxter participated in the following boards and community groups: Niagara Council of Churches, board member of the Community Missions, and as a volunteer for Meals on Wheels. He was a member of the Graphic Communications International Union and served in various posts including chairman of the negotiating committee, Vice President of N30, and Sergeant at Arms. Longtime friend and co-worker Richard Stone says, “Andy was well respected at the Gazette and within the union and will be remembered as, ‘just one nice guy.’”

Family and friends are welcome to send flowers or leave their condolences on this memorial page and share them with the family.