By Rose S. Prinzi
It was about this time of year in 1994 when Mr. Richard O. Hartley of Lakewood contacted the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation to create a new fund to benefit the youth of the community. Through his generosity, the Richard O. Hartley Safe House Fund for Chautauqua County was created.
Some of you may remember Mr. Hartley. He was a spritely man, born in Jamestown, graduating from Jamestown High School in 1920 and from Colgate University in 1925. He was a veteran of World War II, serving as a Major in the Chemical Warfare Service. After his service he set out to make his fortune in New York City. He worked for the Olin Chemical Corporation. In 1930, he married Frances Irish from Auburn, New York. They had one daughter,
Ellen O’Connor.
Mr. Hartley retired from Olin Chemical Corporation in 1968. That year, the Hartley family returned to the area to live in Lakewood. He dedicated his retirement years to giving service to others. He was a village trustee for Lakewood for over 20 years. In 1984, as an involved Rotarian, he was named a Paul Harris Fellow. He annually led the Club’s Travelogue Ticket Sales. He was a volunteer with the Lakewood Library and Babe Ruth Baseball. In 1984, he was chairman of the retirees division of the United Way Campaign.
But he will long be remembered for his love of community and his profound love of children. He volunteered at the Lakewood Elementary School several days a week. Even at the age of 90, Mr. Hartley continued to work two days a week at the school.
St. Luke’s Episcopal Church was important to Mr. Hartley. He was active in the vestry and, at the time, was involved in a new collaboration by the church -- that of the Safe House.
The Safe House of Chautauqua County, established in 1993, provides a safe haven to runaway youth up to the age of 18 and those whose families have turned them out. As a result of his commitment to community and children, Mr. Hartley was dedicated to helping these youth.
In 1994, Mr. Hartley had come by a financial windfall. He knew he would like to put this money toward a need in the community involving youth. With the Safe House’s need of constant upkeep and repairs, he felt they would be an ideal recipient.
The money was placed with the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation so that the interest could be used for charitable purposes, with the principal remaining in perpetuity. As a result, that fund has help support Chautauqua Opportunities’ Safe House annually for the past 15 years.
Although Mr. Hartley sought no publicity for his generous contribution, he did say that he hoped people would think kindly of him for setting up this fund and that it may inspire others to give.
Mr. Hartley, we do think kindly of you and you will be remembered for generations to come.
In memory of Mr. Hartley or in support of youth at-risk, you may like to make a contribution to the Richard O. Hartley Safe House for Chautauqua County Fund, c/o of the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation, 418 Spring Street Jamestown, New York 14701 or go to www.crcfonline.org and click on “Be a Star” to make an online donation.