Donald E. Neuland

Olean- Donald E. Neuland “Loving Father & Avid Fly Fisherman”

 Donald E. Neuland, 90, of North 11th Street passed away on Sunday, February 2, 2025, at Olean General Hospital. 

Don was born on May 26, 1934, in Olean, New York to Louis and Amelia Neuland. As a boy he spent his summers at his family’s cottage on the north shore of Cuba Lake. He graduated from Olean High School, class of 1952. He married Carolyn Jean Keller on September 15, 1956, coincidentally on the same day that he received a draft notice. He served in the United States Army, B Company, 502nd Infantry Battalion, 101st Airborne Division from 1957 to 1959 while stationed at Fort Campbell in Kentucky. He completed 14 jumps during that time.

Prior to his retirement in 1996, Don worked in the retail grocery business. He was employed by Loblaws grocery store for 27 years at their locations in Olean, Salamanca and Bradford. He also worked at the Olean Wholesale, Ried’s Food Barn, Richardson’s Grocery, Service Stores in Olean and Giant Food Mart in Cuba, New York.

Don is survived by Mary Neuland, whom he joined in Holy Matrimony on June 17, 2006, in Jackson, MI. He was the proud father of six children: Celeste (Steve Crocker) Neuland, Craig (Lori Gaylor) Neuland, Dan (Nayibe) Neuland, Lisa (Matthew) Clark, Heather Keller, Michael (Ronda) Neuland. He also leaves behind thirteen grandchildren: Andre (Erin) Neuland, Braeden Clark, Elle (Bryan) Bennett, Edward MacLachlan, Collin (Molly) Clark, Caelen (Kaitlin) Clark, Brooks MacLachlan, Logan Clark, Michaela (Harry) Hewitt, Nathaniel (Najeyah) Neuland, Brett MacLachlan, Peyton and Karissa Keller. Six great grandchildren: Grace, Felix, Avery, Anna, Leah and Grant with number seven on the way.

Don was preceded in death by his parents and six siblings: Marie LeComte, Eleanor (Ellie) Keider, Gene Sterm, Charlotte Kahle, Victor LeComte and Leonard Neuland. He was also predeceased by his first wife, Jean Neuland, who passed on February 23, 1994, at the age of 58 after 37 years of marriage, and his fiancé and special companion Regina Pontus in 2005.

Don will be remembered for his passion for outdoor activities including fly fishing and hunting upland game with his beloved Brittany Spaniels (Brandy, Peg and Holly). When he wasn’t hunting or fishing, he enjoyed cross-country skiing in the winter, biking and rollerblading on the Allegheny River Trail and swimming in Cuba Lake in the summer, claiming to have swum from his family’s cottage on the north shore to the spillway.

His passion for hunting wild turkeys was such that he scheduled his vacation weeks according to the fall and spring turkey hunting seasons each year. He especially enjoyed fishing the Lake Erie and Lake Ontario tributaries for steelhead, salmon and brown trout with his sons Dan and Mike as well as his good friend, Jack Cyzeski.

Most importantly, he shared his interests with his family and friends. He inspired many on how to cast a fly rod and work a turkey call. Don’s fly fishing adventures included trips to Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, Washington and Alaska. He fished trout streams in New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland and enjoyed fishing lakes around Jackson, Michigan. His favorite local waters include the Allegheny River, Ischua Creek, the Genessee River and Cuba Lake.

He will be remembered as an honorable husband, dedicated parent and devoted parishioner of St. Mary of the Angels Roman Catholic Church (now Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels) in Olean, NY and St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church while in Jackson, MI.

Friends will be received at the Letro-McIntosh-Spink Funeral Home, Inc., 646 E. State St., Olean on Thursday, February 6, 2025, from 4:00pm to 6:00pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, February 7, 2025, at 10:00am at the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels, 202 S. Union Street, Olean. Burial will be in St. Bonaventure Cemetery. Online condolences may be made at www.letromcintoshspinkfuneralhome.com 

In lieu of flowers, donations would be greatly appreciated to FARA (Friedreich's Ataxia Research Alliance), 533 W Uwchlan Avenue, Downingtown, PA 19335 US .