Donald J. Herberger

Donald J. Herberger was born in 1936, not far from St Mary’s Church, Swormville, in the home where he would live with his parents Ed and Marie (Popp) Herberger and his eight siblings. He later moved a little further down Stahley Road, to the home he built for himself and his wife, Kathy (Walker) Herberger. Don and Kathy had seven children, adding on to their home as their family grew.

Don built a large woodworking shop behind their home. Carpentry was his livelihood - building cabinets and stairways, installing hardwood floors, trimming windows and doors, and putting the finishing touches on many homes in the Buffalo area. Don loved working with wood, and even after he retired, he kept busy in his workshop. There was always something to build or fix.

Early in his career as a woodworker, Don purchased his first Volkswagen bus. The funny-looking but roomy vehicle was perfect for hauling his tools to job sites and for transporting the family. Eventually there was a line of VWs in the driveway, and driving through a neighborhood of new homes, it was easy to figure out where Herberger Construction was working. Don kept all his Volkswagens in good working order, the family bus always ready for a road trip and the work truck organized and tidy, with a place for all his tools. Later in life, he enjoyed taking his antique 65 Bug for drives, and his 2001 Eurovan is still in great shape.

Don was an active member of St. Mary’s, giving his support to both the church and school. He and Kathy were students at St. Mary’s, their children and some of their grandchildren went to the school, and their great-grandchildren are now St. Mary’s students. Don served chowder and filled countless mason jars over the years at the St. Mary’s Picnic. He and his son built the altar, lectern, and tabernacle in the church, as well as the altar and lectern in the St. Mary’s chapel.

Don put his craftsmanship to work on the cottage that he and Kathy bought in northern Ontario. Rather than bring in a bulldozer to knock it down as the seller suggested, Don saw the potential in the old building and knew he could turn it into something special. Relaxing on the beach, swimming, and sailing, were fit between the work that would transform the old building into a beautiful summer home. Don and Kathy filled the cottage with love and gave their family a lifetime of memories.

Don earned his private pilot’s license and flew for over twenty-five years. He enjoyed seeing the world from above - finishing work for the week and flying north to the cottage to join his family, traveling to Florida for a vacation and Montreal for Expo 67, sometimes taking a short morning flight on the weekend to a nearby town for breakfast, and occasionally just taking off to “drill holes in the air.” He was a careful pilot, with checklists for takeoff procedures, precise navigation, and meticulous aircraft maintenance, but he never forgot the magic of flying. He enjoyed every flight.

Don donated blood platelets at Roswell Park for nearly twenty years. When he was diagnosed with lymphoma and could no longer donate blood, he began biking in the Ride for Roswell. At check-in for his first ride, when he was asked if he wanted a “Rider” or a “Survivor” shirt, he quickly answered, “Well, I’m both” and proudly collected his two shirts every year after that. The Ride for Roswell team that Don’s family created in his honor gets its name from one of Don’s favorite sayings - Keep Smiling.

Donald J. Herberger

Of East Amherst, NY entered into rest on May 19, 2024 at age 88. Beloved husband of Kathleen (nee Walker) Herberger. Loving father of Donna (Jeffrey) Allan, James Richard, Jeffrey (Mary Beth), Andrew (Lynn), Brian (Maureen), Daniel (Jaima) and the late James Edward Herberger. Dear grandfather of 16 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. Beloved son of the late Edward and Marie (nee Popp) Herberger. Brother of Loraine (William) Galley, Richard (Harriet), Gerald (Marianne) Herberger and the late Rev. Edward Herberger, Thomas (Audrey) Herberger, Carol (Donald) Buzzard, Leonard and Kenneth Herberger. Brother in law of Shirley Ann and Joanne Herberger and the late Judith Herberger. Also survived by many nieces and nephews. Family and friends may call on Thursday, May 23, 2024 from 3-7pm at DENGLER, ROBERTS, PERNA FUNERAL HOME, 8630 Transit Rd., East Amherst, NY 14051. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, May 24, 2024 at 10:30am at St. Mary’s Church Swormville, 6919 Transit Rd. East Amherst, NY 14051. Please assemble at church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Mary’s Church, where Donald was a lifelong parishioner, or Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center.