May 28, 1952 – December 5, 2025
John W. Haley Jr., 73, of Salamanca, NY died early Friday morning, December 5, 2025 at home following a long illness.
Born May 28, 1952 in Salamanca, NY, he was the son of John W. Haley Sr. and the late Bertha Rockwell Haley. He was married February 26, 2021 to the former Julianne Seitz, who survives. He was formerly married to Judith Huntington of Salamanca, NY.
He was a graduate of Salamanca High School, Class of 1970.
John was a veteran of the United States Army, serving stateside from 1972-74.
He had been employed as a conductor with the Buffalo-Pittsburgh Railroad for almost 42 years, retiring in 2012. He had also worked at Worth W. Smith Hardware in Salamanca.
He enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren and attending their sporting events. He played in several billiards leagues, and enjoyed the outdoors, especially hunting and fishing. He was an avid motorcycle enthusiast, and rode his Harley Davidson as an American Legion Riders.
John was a member of Our Lady of Peace Parish, the United Transportation Union, where he served as local chairman, the American Legion Hughes-Skiba Post 535, where he served as past commander, the Veterans of Foreign Wars John F. Ahrens Post 5296, the Holy Cross Athletic Club, and was an avid Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Guardians fan.
Surviving besides his wife are: two sons, Paul (Carrie) Haley, John (April) Haley, both of Salamanca, NY; five stepsons, Jordan Nelsen, Jake (Melissa) Nelsen, Julian Nelsen, all of Charleston, SC, Troy Studd, Los Angeles, CA, Tyler (Julia) Studd, Raeford, NC; two granddaughters, Boston Haley, Delaney Haley, both of Salamanca, NY; four grandsons, Harley Hoag, Hayden Hoag, Charles Haley, Max Haley, all of Salamanca, NY; seven step-grandchildren, Chad, Dillion, Lauren, Madison, Noah, Jack, and Gianna; two sisters, Diane Haley DeBoy, Kathy Haley, both of Cleveland, OH; four brothers, Ray (Mary) Haley, Carrollton, NY, Jeff (Diana) Haley, Kill Buck, NY, Jay (Linda) Haley, Colonial Beach, VA, Jim (Ginger) Haley, Napoli, NY; several nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by a brother, Daniel “Jerry” Haley.
There will be no visitation.
A Celebration of Life will be held at the American Legion Hughes-Skiba Post 535 on Sunday, December 21, 2025 from 1 – 4 p.m.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the O’Rourke & O’Rourke Inc Funeral Home, 25 River Street, Salamanca, NY.
E-condolences can be sent to orourke.orourkefh@gmail.com or posted to facebook.com/onofh.
