He previously served as trustee in 1964-65 and as mayor from 1971-81 and 1993-2001.

     Born and raised in New Jersey, Lazar has lived in Gowanda since 1955. He attended Buffalo State College receiving a B.S. degree in 1955 and a master’s degree in administration in 1964. From 1956-58 he served in the U.S. Army as an instructor in Fort Chaffee, Arkansas.

     Lazar started his career in education as a fifth-grade teacher in Gowanda in 1955. In 1958 he returned to Gowanda until 1962. During the summer of 1962 he went to Forestville Central schools where he served as elementary principal until he retired in 1988.

     In 1988, Lazar was employed by Autistic Services of Tonawanda. During that period he also filled in as elementary principal in the Randolph Central School for 1-1/2 years, taking leave of the Tonawanda position. He was offered a permanent position in Randolph as elementary principal but refused, returning to Autistic Services until June 2000.

     Lazar is past president of the Gowanda Jaycees and the Elementary Prinicipals’ Association as well as past chairman of the Southwestern Branch of the American Red Cross.

     In 1979 Lazar was honored by the State University College of Buffalo for Distinguished Achievement in Public Service.

     Additionally, he taught adult education in Gowanda, served on the board of directors of Tri-County Memorial Hospital and taught evening classes at Collins Correctional Facility from 1983-88.

     He is a member of the Gowanda Moose Club and the American Legion of Gowanda. He also was a member of the Gowanda Barbershoppers, Little Theatre and a Wednesday night bowler.

     Both he and his wife, Carol, are active volunteers with the Messinger Woods Wildlife Animal Hospital and Sanctuary in Holland.

     The Lazars have three children and three grandchildren.