Obituary of Scott M. Hawbaker

Scott M.P. Hawbaker, of Lancaster, passed away suddenly on September 17, 2025. He was the beloved husband of 45 years to the late Diane M. Hawbaker; devoted son of the late Ross and Felicia (Michaels) Hawbaker. A dedicated and loving father, he is survived by his children: Donald (Lynnette) Smith, Deirdre (Robert) Giguere, and Danielle Hawbaker. Cherished grandfather of Robert (Cassandra) Giguere, Zachery (Kalasia) Giguere, and Stephanie Giguere, and proud great-grandfather of Alaina, Robert, and Missandei. Scott was the dear brother of Bonnie (Jay) Skiba, and was predeceased by his brothers Kevin (Cathy) Hawbaker and Gary Hawbaker. He is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews.

Scott was a graduate of Buffalo State University and dedicated his life to education. From 1972 to 2010, he taught in the Depew School District, inspiring students in art, technology, computer science, and industrial arts. Known for his boundless creativity and technical skill, Scott could fix, build, repair, design, and create just about anything. After retiring from teaching, he served as a technology and computer coordinator for an additional four years before fully retiring.
Scott was never one to sit still. When he wasn’t helping his children with projects, he was active with the Western New York Historical Railway Society, where he took great pride in helping restore the Buffalo Creek ALCO H660 #43 along with PRR #4483 steam engine. A passionate railroad enthusiast since the age of 8, he built an impressive collection of railroad memorabilia over the years and found great joy in all things trains—from restoring historic engines to sharing stories from railroading history. Equally passionate about cars, Scott could fix, paint, or restore just about any vehicle that came his way. There was truly no machine too old or broken for him to bring back to life.

In 1986, Scott and Diane purchased a 125-year-old farmhouse on Steinfeldt, which they lovingly restored over the next 35 years, turning it into a treasured family home. When it came time to downsize, they moved just around the corner to a patio home where they quickly became beloved members of the community. After Diane’s passing, Scott continued to thrive—refurbishing vintage pieces, woodworking, and creating his beloved “game room.” He was always ready to lend a hand, and his generosity extended to many local children’s and animal charities.

Scott had a lifelong love of music and theater—there was rarely a moment without a tune playing in the background, whether it was country, rock, or timeless classics spinning on his cherished Victrola. He found great joy in playing the guitar and singing, and in his younger years, he performed in a band called The Spectrums. In the last month of his life, he picked up his guitar once again, a quiet return to one of his earliest passions. In recent years, he especially enjoyed attending live concerts and shows with his daughter, creating lasting memories through their shared love for music.

In his younger days, Scott was an avid skier, runner, rollerblader, and actor—always eager to try something new and embrace life with energy and humor. He often joked that his "golden years had a little tarnish" and liked to say, “I don’t know who that old man is staring back at me in the mirror.”

Scott will be deeply missed by his family, friends, neighbors, and the many members of his weekly groups and social clubs. He had a gift for creating memorable holidays and took great pride in keeping family traditions alive, making each gathering feel special and full of love. His kindness, wit, generosity, and craftsmanship leave a lasting legacy in every life he touched.

A celebration of Scott’s life will be held on Sunday from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at his home, where family and friends are warmly invited to gather, share memories, and honor his legacy.
Location: 69 Grambo Drive Lancaster, NY 14086  All who knew and loved Scott are welcome to join us in remembering a life well lived