Larry Steele - Oakwood Cemetery Administrator

Larry has retired 3 times. Larry's family owned Steele Electric an industrial electrical supply company.  Along with his mother, Larry ran the business until he sold it to Wehle Electric of Buffalo.  Despite the competition with Wehle, Mr. Steele was asked to join them as an advisor, and ended up staying another 10 years.

Larry comes to the cemetery through his love of local history.  Larry is a Board Member of The Friends of the Local History Department at the Niagara Falls Public Library.  Larry also manages the gift shop in the Library.  Knowing of Larry's vast business knowledge, the Oakwood Cemetery Board of Directors created the position of Administrator and asked Mr. Steele to accept.  Larry once again said yes and immediately set up a budget and goals for the cemetery. Thanks to Larry's diligence and attention to details, he has turned the finances of the cemetery around.  

Larry lives in Western New York with his wife, Carol and his beloved Golden Retriever Abigail.  Larry has 2 daughters and a son, and is Grandfather of seven.

Tim Baxter - Director of Operations

Tim comes to Oakwood Cemetery by way of the broadcast world.  For 27 years Tim had been in involved with local television, first at WKBW-TV as a News Photographer/Reporter, and later the station's Commercial Production Manager.  Mr. Baxter moved WIVB-TV where he was a Photographer/Editor and Producer/Director in the station's Creative Services Department.  He then managed WIVB.com the station's presence on the world wide web. 

"I am really relishing this opportunity", Baxter said.  "Oakwood Cemetery is like a hidden treasure whose story has not been told.  It is my goal to make the Cemetery a popular site not only for local residents, but a destination for tourists and history buffs."

In his spare time Tim is Drum Major of the popular Niagara Falls Bagpipe Band The MacKenzie Highlanders.

Baxter lives in Niagara Falls with his wife Amy. They have two sons Michael and Jon, and a golden retriever named Hamish.

John Wilson - Chief of Grounds Crew

John Wilson has a vast knowledge of the Oakwood property.  John often knows the location of a grave by the mention of a name.

John has held various positions over the 13 years.  In 2002 he left to become Superintendent at Holy Trinity Cemetery for 3 years.  He returned home in 2005 to work at Oakwood.  His familiarity with our grounds made him a natural for a position with us.

John lives in Niagara Falls with his wife and 3 sons and a daughter.  He enjoys music of all kinds, martial arts, and even knows some conversational Chinese.

Interestingly enough, there is a John Wilson buried in the cemetery that used to be an Oakwood Cemetery Grounds Keeper back in the 1920's.  Our current John Wilson portrays him on special occasions, like the "Ghost Walk" in October.   

To the right, John is posing as "John Wilson" the Oakwood Cemetery Keeper from the 1920's.  Also in the picture are actresses portraying Annie Edson Taylor and Mrs. Lavinia Porter.

Mr. Wilson is also licensed by the State of New York as a Crematory Operator.

Michael Salazar

Mike comes to us from California.  He joined our team in April of 2012 and has been a quiet force that makes our grounds look great.  Mike is always ready to assist you with your cemetery needs.