Obituary of Alan L. Harding

Alan L. Harding, 18, of 2673 28 Mile Creek Road, Gerry, died unexpectedly Saturday, February 20, 2016, the result of a tragic accident at his home. Alan was a senior at Cassadaga Valley Central School and had earlier been a student at Maple Grove Central School. He had a passion for all things outdoors, hunting, fishing, mountain biking, farm work, and shooting trap. His Chautauqua County AIM Team won 1st place in the 2015 NYS Academics, Integrity and Marksmanship Team Championship held in Cicero last summer, with the team receiving recognition at the recent Chautauqua Sports Hall of Fame Awards Banquet. Alan poured his heart into everything he did and was never satisfied until he accomplished his goals, whether it was mastering a skill or building something with his own hands. He had a heart of gold, and anyone who knew him, loved him. He will be missed dearly by both his family and friends. Alan was born August 15, 1997 in Jamestown, the son of Rick and Diane Harding with whom he resided. Also surviving are his sister, Danyelle Harding; maternal grandmother, Marilyn Soehnlein of Gerry and paternal grandmother, Sharon Whitmore of Frewsburg; as well as aunts, uncles and cousins. He was preceded in death by his grandfathers, Ronald Soehnlein and Leonard Harding. The family will receive friends from 3 to 7 p.m. Wednesday in the Lind Funeral Home, Jamestown. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 11 a.m. Thursday in St. Mary of Lourdes Catholic Church in Bemus Point. The Rev. John L. Kuhlmann and the Rev. Todd Remick will be celebrants. Memorials may be made to a scholarship in Alan's honor being established at the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation, 418 Spring St., Jamestown, NY 14701.