Douglas C. Stock

Douglas C. Stock, 81, of Fredonia, died Friday, April 19, 2024 at Buffalo General Hospital following a short illness, surrounded by his loving family.

Born on May 24, 1942 in Staten Island, New York, the son of the late Charles and Dorothea Stock.

Doug attended New Dorp High School in Staten Island. He attained his GED and joined the Naval Reserves in 1960. He was assigned to the Destroyer, the USS Charles S. Ware, and was involved in the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962.

Doug moved to Fredonia in February of 1967 and got his start as an electrician apprentice with Fredonia Electric on the Fine Arts building at SUNY Fredonia. Doug had over 30 years experience as an electrician in all phases of electrical construction.

After finishing his apprenticeship, he was elected to the Executive Board of the local union and soon thereafter was appointed as a delegate to the Dunkirk Area Labor Council. At that point, he became active in politics. From 1976 to 1980, Doug was a part-time coordinator of the New York State AFL-CIO Committee on Political Education. He coordinated telephone banks, plant visits and various campaign activities.

In 1982, he was elected President of IBEW Local Union 106 and in 1983, he took on the job of Local 106 Business Manager. During his 12-year tenure as Business Manager, Doug successfully worked with Chautauqua County officials and economic development leaders to develop major construction projects in Chautauqua County, including a destination hotel in Dunkirk, expansion of Brooks Memorial Hospital, expansion of local manufacturing and school addition projects.

Doug went back to work as an electrician in 1995 and worked until 1999 when he accepted a position with the New York State AFL-CIO as Regional Coordinator of Workforce Development from Western New York. His community positions and memberships include being President of the Dunkirk Area Labor Council, Recording Secretary of the Chautauqua County Workforce Investment Board, Board of Directors for the Northern Chautauqua United Way, Board of Directors of the New York State United Way, the Western New York 211 Advisory Board, and a board member of the Private Industry Council for 11 years. He was a member of the Lakeshore Street Rods Car Club and the Fredonia American Legion.

Doug was a loving father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He enjoyed riding around in his Chevelle. He also enjoyed playing golf. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

He is survived by his wife of 31 years, Joann (Bartholomew) Stock at home, whom he married May 2, 1992; three children, Keith (Lynn) Stock of Fredonia, Valerie Stock of Cassadaga and Brian Stock of Ransomville; five step-children, Brian (Melody) DeJohn of Westfield, Rick (Kim) DeJohn of Versailles, Kentucky, Mary DeJohn of Fredonia, Kathy (Jim) Rush of Fredonia and Sam (Tracy) DeJohn of Dunkirk; 20 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren; two brothers, Robert (Doreen) and Clifford (Julie), both of Staten Island; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Dorothea (Miller) Stock and by his first wife, Lynn Goetz Stock.

Friends and family are welcome to attend calling hours on Wednesday, April 24 from 5 to 8 p.m. at McGraw-Kowal Funeral Home. Funeral Services will be Thursday, April 25 at 10 a.m. at the funeral home. Inurnment in St. Mary’s Columbarium.