It is with great sadness that I must announce the passing of Michael V. Walters, former Commissioner of the Erie County Department of Emergency Services.

Mike Walters retired as our commissioner in December of 2005 and was diagnosed with cancer in September of 2006. He lost that valiant battle early this morning.

Commissioner Walters is survived by his wife of 23 years, Karen; son Christian; brother Peter of Muncie, Indiana; and his sister Molly of Hamburg, New York.

Mike dedicated his life to his family, his community, his country and the emergency services community, serving Erie County for 33 years. He served in the United States Navy during the Vietnam conflict and in the Navy Reserve for three years following his honorable discharge. He served our department as an EMS instructor, deputy commissioner in charge of the EMS division and as commissioner from 1998 to 2005. Mike was instrumental in the early development of the EMT program in the Western New York.

Mike started his emergency services career with the Evans Center Volunteer Fire Company and went on to be an exempt and honorary life member of the Angola Volunteer Fire Department and is considered family within the Cattaraugus Indian Reservation Fire Department.

Mr. Walters also served as the Mayor of the Village of Angola from 1993 until 2000, executive director of the Western New York Stress Reduction Program, a member of the New York State Wireless 911 Board and several other organizations. He was employed by Kimball Engineers prior to his death.

Mike Walters was an avid motorcyclist and hunter and enjoyed spending time with everyone he touched. Please keep Commissioner Walters’ family in your thoughts and prayers during this most difficult time.

Sincerely,

Gregory W. Skibitsky Acting Commissioner
Erie County Department of Emergency Services

Please pass this information on to all who knew Mike Walters.

DEATH NOTICE: November 4, 2007

Michael V. Walters – Former Commissioner Erie County Department of Emergency Services

ARRANGEMENTS:

Visitation –

Addison Funeral Home 262 North Main Street (Rte. 323 between Beach Road and Lake St.)
Angola NY 14006
716-549-1100 – www.addisonfuneralhome.com

Wake –

Wednesday – November 7, 2007 – 2pm-4pm and 7pm-9pm

Thursday – November 8, 2007 – 2pm-4pm and 7pm-9pm

Wake Participation –

Emergency services agency honor guards are welcome to conduct a walk-through at the wake and are asked to coordinate their participation with Deputy Fire Coordinator Tiger Schmittendorf at 716-432-3915 or schmitte@erie.gov.

Due to limited parking at and around the funeral home, visiting firefighters and first responders are asked to stage at the Evans Center Fire Station#1 at 8298 Erie Road near North Main St. Shuttle buses will transport personnel to and from the funeral home.

Funeral service –

Friday – November 9, 2007 – 11am Most Precious Blood Church
17 Prospect St. at Lake St. (between Rte. 5 and North Main St.)
Angola NY 14006
716-549-0420 – www.mpbangola.org

Funeral Participation –

Emergency services agency honor guards and apparatus are welcome and are asked to stage at Angola Fire Department Station#1 at 41 Commercial Street near North Main Street by 9am.

All agencies participating in the funeral detail are asked to contact the Erie County Fire Safety Office during regular business hours at 716-681-7111 or contact Deputy Fire Coordinator Tiger Schmittendorf at 716-432-3915 or schmitte@erie.gov with the agency name, a contact name and phone number, and the number of apparatus and personnel participating.

Interment –

Immediately following funeral service Brant Cemetery - Rte. 249 – Brant NY

Fire Police Needed –

Fire Police are needed to assist with traffic control during the wakes and the funeral. Please contact Angola Fire Chief Doug Streebel at 716-880-4751 to coordinate participation.

CONTACT:

Please direct any further questions to Deputy Commissioner Jim McCullough at 716-432-3894.