[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 166 (Wednesday, November 2, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1985]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              HONORING THE MEMORY OF JOHN J. NALBONE, SR.

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BRIAN HIGGINS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 2, 2011

  Mr. HIGGINS. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor a longtime leader in 
the field of aviation--the late John J. Nalbone Sr. Mr. Nalbone 
dedicated his life to the field of aviation and was tireless in his 
efforts to make the skies accessible to many of his friends, family and 
neighbors in his hometown of Dunkirk, NY.
  Mr. Nalbone was fascinated with flying since boyhood, and shortly 
after graduating from Jamestown High School he went off to Leroy, NY 
where he was chosen to undergo early government training in the field 
of modern aviation. This training became essential part of America's 
defense system as the United States entered World War II in 1941. At 
this time John was assigned to the 54th Flight Training attachment at 
Dorr Field in Acadia, FL where he was the primary instructor for 
Sherman Biplanes until the end of the war.
  After the war, John and his wife relocated back to Western New York, 
where he became a civilian flight instructor and was able to open his 
own flight school at Werle Field, a small grass strip equipped only 
with runway lights. John soon realized that through instruction, pilot 
exams, and rebuilding of aircrafts he could continue to pursue his love 
for flying while providing a modest lifestyle for himself and his 
family.
  By 1960, Mr. Nalbone became the manager of the Dunkirk Airport while 
still maintaining his own airfield, instruction school and building 
several of his own aircraft including a Steen Skybolt, and a Grumman 
Tiger which he flew into his mid 80's.
  During his lifetime, John was the recipient of numerous aviation 
awards including the FAA's Lifetime Achievement Award in both 1996, and 
2003. Mr. Nalbone was also awarded the prestigious Charles Taylor 
Mechanics Award, which is presented to aviators with 50 or more years 
of service in the aviation industry.
  Mr. Nalbone passed away at the age of 93. He is survived by his three 
children and six grandchildren. Clearly, Mr. Nalbone passed his love of 
aviation along to his family. I have dealt very often with his son Lou, 
who currently serves as President of Dunkirk Aviation, and who remains 
Chautauqua County's most tireless advocate for aviation in New York's 
Southern Tier.
  Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to ask you and our colleagues to extend 
the sympathies of the House to the family of John J. Nalbone Sr., to 
recognize his contributions to our military and to his community, and 
for his commitment to the United States of America, and to Western New 
York.

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