The Post-Journal

Capt. Clayton R. Webeck Dies While Playing Golf

Fireman Outstanding in Polio Work

Captain Clayton R. Webeck, 51, of 145 Euclid Avenue, a member of the Jamestown Fire Department, and for 15 years director of the Chautauqua County March of Dimes, died Monday afternoon (October 8, 1962) of a heart attack while playing golf at the Cassadaga Country Club.

Capt. Webck became a member of the Jamestown Fire Department December 5, 1940. Appointed acting captain on September 4, 1956, he served in that capacity until September 23, 1957 when he was promoted to the rank of captain.

He had served in various city fire stations, but since his appointment he had been at the City Hall Fire Station as captain on the ladder truck.

Mr. Webeck was best known throughout the county and state for his tireless efforts in the March of Dimes program for 20 years. He had received state recognition from the National Foundation of the March of Dimes. He was executive secretary of the Chautauqua County Chapter, National Foundation.

He was the inspirational leader of the Mothers March on Polio in which countless women of Jamestown and area participated in a volunteer door-to-door canvas each year.

Mr. Webeck was also instrumental in organizing the Sabin Oral Vaccine program in Chautauqua County giving this county the distinction of being the first to administer the vaccine on a voluntary basis.

Formerly he had been chairman of the Salk Vaccine program and for the past three years he had been chairman of the Fathers' March for Blood, instrumental in organizing the first such Fathers' March in the nation. He was editor of the Polio News Monthly of Chautauqua County.

During the years he served as country March of Dimes director, the county led the state in per capita contributions five times; placed second, four times; third, twice; and fifth, once.

In his enthusiastic support of the polio program, Mr. Webeck also visited nearly all of the county's 650 polio patients, and a few years ago organized the Polio Emergency Volunteers to assist in a rehabilitation program for the patients.

Mr. Webeck took time out from his busy schedule to head the Jamestown Day Program for the Sesquicentennial in 1960. In that capacity, he was chairman of the Sesquicentennial Parade, which drew one of the largest crowds in the history of the city.

His athletic endeavors ran the gamut, including football, basketball, track, volleyball, baseball, table tennis, roller-skating, ice-skating and horseshoe pitching.

One of the most sensational runs on a Jamestown football field was made by "Big Clayt" when he was a member of the Crescent Athletic Club eleven, popular about three decades ago.

Basketball was his favorite sport. He started out as a member of the Washington Junior High five. Later he played with several city teams and also served as coach.

In sports, as in the health field, Mr. Webeck proved himself an able promoter. Among his promotional activities were the all-star basketball game for Municipal Stadium, the Finnish relief ice carnival, the Chautauqua Regional Open Tennis Tournament, as well as other city tourneys, junior bicycle races, junior and midget football leagues, winter ice carnivals and inter-city ice speed skating races.

He was a member of the building committee for the Municipal Stadium and Golf Course, a life member of the Triangle Athletic Association, and an honorary member of the Buffalo Firefighters' Association. He held honorary memberships in several other local, state and national organizations. He was a member of First Lutheran Church.

His active affiliations included the Morton Club of the Jamestown Fire Department; the Jamestown Area Council of Social Agencies; American Bowling Congress; Jamestown Athletic Association; Liberty Athletic Club; Chautauqua Aerie, Fraternal Order of Eagles; N.Y.S. Public Health Association; Cassadaga Country Club; Buffalo Eye Bank and Research Society; Ingjald Lodge, Vikings 65; Jamestown Booster Club and Jamestown Automobile Club.

For several years, as chairman of Fire Prevention Month, Mr. Webeck was responsible for bringing large parades to Jamestown. He was chairman of the 50th anniversary celebration of the Jamestown Fire Department.

A man of generous impulses manifest in his untiring devotion to health and welfare activities, Mr. Webeck held the affectionate regard of thousands with whom he came in contact. His gifted leadership was felt in many circles, and his warm friendly personality won for him a host of friends both here and throughout the state.

Surviving are his wife, Mrs. Ann E. Webeck; two daughters, Mrs. James Corkery and Nancy Webeck of Jamestown; a granddaughter, Cynthia Ann Webeck; a brother, Clarence W. Webeck, Jamestown; and a sister, Mrs. Burnett Bush, Jamestown.

Funeral services will be at 1:30 p.m., Wednesday, at the Henderson-Lincoln Funeral Home. Rev. Paul W. Peterson of the First Covenant Church will officiate. Burial will be in the Lakeview Cemetery.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home between 7 and 9 p.m. today. The Eagle Funeral Ritual will be held at 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.

The family is suggesting that those who wish to make memorial contributions, remember the First Lutheran Church or the National Polio Fund.


The additional financial assistance of the community is critical to the success of the Chautauqua Sports Hall of Fame.
We gratefully acknowledge these individuals and organizations for their generous support.