Special Condolences
Special Condolences
Zachary M. Golley • November 8, 2000 - March 1, 2025
ELLICOTTVILLE - Zachary M. Golley, 24, of Ellicottville, NY passed away on March 1, 2025 at ECMC surrounded by his family, as a result of injuries sustained in an automobile accident. He was born on November 8, 2000 in Buffalo, NY, son of John and Debbie (Lexer) Golley of Ellicottville, who survive. Zachary was engaged to Emily Hall of Ellicottville, who survives.
A graduate of Ellicottville Central School Class of 2018, Zach was quickly well known throughout the area for his hard work and dedication to whatever craft called his name. Immediately following his graduation, Zach worked for the City of Salamanca DPW, followed by Cattaraugus County DPW, until the Village of Ellicottville recruited him to where he was recently employed. He would eventually go to water and sewer school, earning his title of Grade 1 Sewer Operator for the Village of Ellicottville water department.
Zach started his own business, "Zach of All Trades,” where he continued to grow his landscaping and plowing company, and what turned into a diverse combination of moving company, scrapping company, heavy equipment operation, and whatever odd jobs came calling his name. Zach never turned down an opportunity to not only help others, but also make a quick buck in the process.
Zach started demo derbies at the Cattaraugus County Fair when he was 16, and would continue to demo as well as partake in CRASH-O-RAMA; he especially loved the Enduro and Boat Races. He was a proud and persistent provider for his family, and especially for his beloved daughter, Bailey Rose Golley, whom he was the most proud of to have in April of 2024. Zach was a dedicated and loving father who seamlessly continued his on-the-go lifestyle with slowing down to always make time for his fiancee, his daughter, and family. As much as Zach enjoyed being busy, he always found time to unwind with those important people in his life over a beer, going on the boat and surfing on Chautauqua Lake, a game of horseshoes, or even a simple conversation.
Of all the things that made Zach incredibly unique, his service may be remembered as his most memorable trait. From his time as a junior fighter to newly elected First Assistant Fire Chief of the Ellicottville Vol. Fire Dept., to becoming a certified EMT, Zach often was the first responder on calls and kept looking for more ways to be involved. He was also in charge of the ambulance maintenance for the Ellicottville/Great Valley Vol. Fire Dept. His life of service continued after his death, nobly donating organs to sustain lives of those in need.
Besides his parents, loving fiance, and beloved daughter Bailey Rose, Zachary is survived by three sisters: Ashley (Connor) Hellwig of Little Valley, Becca (Tommy) Fales of Randolph, and Caitlyn (Kevin) Bower of Grand Island; as well as four nieces: Madeline, Addyson, Laura, and Hallie; and five nephews: Kaiden, Lukas, Jackson, Tucker, and Cameron. Also surviving is a paternal grandmother, Barbara Golley of Ellicottville, several aunts, uncles, cousins, loving friends, his "Fire Fam" and especially Bailey's godparents, Kyle and Haley Germain.
Zachary is predeceased by his paternal grandfather, David Golley, and maternal grandparents, Stuart (Janet) Lexer, and beloved family friend, Richard "Dick" Kruse.
Friends may call on Wednesday, March 5, 2025 from 3:00-7:00pm, and Thursday, March 6, 2025 from 4:00-8:00pm from Mentley Funeral Home Inc., 411 Rock City St. in Little Valley, NY. Funeral services will be held on Friday, March 7, 2025 at 11:00am from the Ellicottville Town Center, 28 Parkside Dr. in Ellicottville. Burial will be in Holy Cross Cemetery in Ellicottville.
Memorials may be made to the family's Go Fund Me page for his daughter, Bailey: https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-zach-a-kind-hearted-individual-in-our-community?qid=8fbe4040777bc4bedfc395964b3f821d.
Online condolences may be made at www.mentleyfuneralhome.com.