Bisons mourn the passing of former GM & Buffalo Baseball Hall of Famer, Don Colpoys

The Buffalo Bisons organization is deeply saddened to hear of the passing of former Bisons general manager and Buffalo Baseball Hall of Famer, Don Colpoys. He was 83.
Colpoys was Bisons GM from 1979 through 1984 and played an integral role in the return of professional baseball in Buffalo. In February of 1979, Colpoys learned that the Jersey City franchise of the Eastern League would not be able to host a team and contacted Buffalo Mayor Jimmy Griffin. He was then part of the 90-person ownership group that purchased the Jersey City franchise and brought it to War Memorial Stadium as the Buffalo Bisons. In their first two seasons back in existence, the Double-A Bisons led the Eastern League in attendance.
"Don was one of Buffalo's true legendary baseball people," said Bisons Vice President/General Manager Mike Buczkowski. "I always enjoyed our conversations about the game, not only the current state of baseball but also his extensive knowledge of the great history of the sport. On behalf of the Bisons, our heartfelt condolences go out to his family.

Colpoys, a catcher in his playing days, began a long association with professional baseball in 1954 when he signed with the St. Louis Cardinals. He later scouted for the Philadelphia Phillies and managed the Niagara Falls Pirates of the NY-Penn League in 1978. He also coached Canisius College from 1977 through 2001, winning a school-record 325 games, including a conference title in 1994.
Colpoys was inducted into the Buffalo Baseball Hall of Fame in 2007. He is also a member of the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame (2011) and the Canisius College Sports Hall of Fame (2012).