The Chautauqua County Genealogical Society is deeply saddened by the loss of Wayne Leamer, a dedicated researcher, volunteer, and friend, who passed away unexpectedly on Monday, December 8, 2025 at his home in Ashville, New York, at the age of 75.
Wayne was born May 22, 1950 and lived his early years in Ripley. He worked in construction in his youth and later operated an electronic repair shop near Lakewood. Wayne was an essential member of the Chautauqua County Genealogical Society, serving as the editor of the newsletter, Chautauqua Genealogist, for 19 years, longer than anyone in the position. Wayne also served as the Membership Chairman and was the consistent representative of the CCGS, showcasing our publications at various annual events and festivals. For the last year and a half, Wayne was also a weekly volunteer at the Chautauqua County Historian’s office. He could often be found conducting research at local libraries, clerks’ offices, the Fenton History Center in Jamestown, and the Barker Library and Museum in Fredonia.
Wayne was dedicated to his numerous projects that involved researching, indexing, digitization, and compilation of genealogical data. Recent projects include an expanded edition of the CCGS publication A Guide to Chautauqua County, New York Cemeteries and Burial Sites. Wayne was also industriously collecting and processing 21st-century obituaries, undertaking extensive downloading and scanning efforts to make these records accessible to genealogical researchers. In addition, he carefully verified newspaper availability, recognizing that database coverage cannot be assumed to include every issue. These efforts represent only a portion of the many projects to which he devoted his time and effort.
Wayne’s long consistent participation extending over the terms of numerous presidents and other society officers imparted a consistency and reliability to the image and the reality of the society that were a major part of its enviable reputation among genealogists. Wayne’s contributions will be irreplaceable. He will be deeply missed by his many friends and fellow researchers.
