Henry A. “Butch” Fallenstein 

Butch Fallenstein, born August 16, 1951 and a lifelong resident of Port Allegany, came to the end of this life’s journey on Wednesday, October 21, 2026 at UPMC Hamot in Erie, PA.

In his younger years, Butch was known and respected for his athletic talents. He played basketball, football, baseball and softball. In 1968, he was part of Coach Robert Christensen’s undefeated Gator football team and in 1969, he was awarded Co-Athlete of the Year which he shared with his lifelong friend, Mike Herger. 

After high school, he was selected to try out for the Kansas City Royals and the Pittsburgh Pirates. He played softball locally for The Ideal and The Green Turtle. He joined the Masons in 1976 and his 50th year of membership occurred in June. Around 1980, he started working as a janitor & maintenance worker in the Port Allegany School District, where he served until 2011 when he retired. Butch also coached football, specifically the junior high kids. He was loved and respected for his unique approach and was the first coach to start a female quarterback on the team. His players also fondly remember an offensive play he developed called the “Butchie Special.”

In 1976 and 1979 respectively, his children Sara and Jeff were born. Butch devoted his entire life to his children, becoming a single dad in 1989. He gave his kids a beautiful and wonderful life filled with outdoor excursions like gardening, swimming, hunting, fishing, sledding and ATV riding on the family’s farm. During his children’s teenage years, the Fallenstein farm became a gathering place for friends, and Butch was always admired for his candid wit and unfiltered life advice.

Whatever someone needed in Port Allegany over the years, they could be helped by Butch. He was known for driving his Kubota from Grimes District into town to help friends with digging or debris removal jobs. Butch preferred payment in the form of a cold Miller Lite or another favor to be returned later. After retirement, he most enjoyed Saturday morning coffee with Ron, Tony and Mr. Babcock at The Diner. When his children visited, they were invited to “the table,” and always came away learning new stories. His simple, humble life was something of which he was uncharacteristically proud. 

Butch was predeceased by his parents, Henry F. & Norma E. Fallenstein, and lost his beloved son, Jeff to suicide in 2020. 

Left to cherish his memory and celebrate his life are his sister, Sylvia Cole, his daughter, Sara Lynn and her husband, Chris McGonnell, along with several nieces and nephews, Doni (Mark) Ernst, Melissa (Lyman) Wu, Joshua Ernst, Christine (Christian) Smith, Cole, Kinleigh and Callan Smith, Mike (Becky) Cole and Seanna (Katie) Cole. 

A Masonic funeral will be held at Hartle-Tarbox Funeral Home, 105 N Main St. Port Allegany at 11am followed by a luncheon at the Moose at 1pm on Saturday, November 21, 2026. Memorials may be made to the Port Allegany High School Sports Boosters, the S.W. Smith Library or an organization meaningful to the donor. 

The family would also like to encourage everyone who loved Butch or was impacted by his quiet generosity to plant a tree. Correspondences can be sent to Sara & Chris at 29 Rockne Road, Buffalo NY 14223. 

Online condolences may be made at www.hartle-tarboxfuneralhomes.com

Arrangements are under the direction of the Hartle-Tarbox Funeral Homes, Inc., Port Allegany.