Geneseo: Russ passed Peacefully at his home on July 23, 2018, at age 91. Survived by sons; Jeff (Latoya) Makeham of GA and Gordie (Sue) Laidlaw of Geneseo; grandchildren, Vanessa, Travis, Trayvan, Trionda, Kyle, Kari, and Jake. Also survived by several cousins and friends.
Russ was born on April 10, 1927 in Rochester, NY to parents George and Marion (Batchellor) Laidlaw. He graduated from Geneseo High School and later served our country in the US Navy from 1945-1946. Russ attended Cornell University graduating with a degree in Electrical Engineering. He worked at General Motors in Rochester, NY retiring after 33 years of service. Russ was a member of the Honeoye-Hemlock American Legion Post 1278, the Hemlock Fair Board of Directors, and was a member of many collector car and tractor organizations.
Friends may call on Friday, July 27th, from 10am-11am at the Kevin W. Dougherty Funeral Home Inc., 21 Big Tree Street, Rte 15 & 20A, Livonia, NY where his funeral service will be held following calling hours at 11am. Burial, Mumford Rural Cemetery, Mumford, NY with military honors. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made in his memory to the Central Presbyterian Church, 31 Center Street, Geneseo, NY 14454 or the Honeoye-Hemlock American Legion Post 1278, 4931 County Road 36, Honeoye, NY 14471. To send a condolence or share a memory please visit: www.doughertyfuneralhomes.com
I’m sorry to hear of Russell’s passing. He was a hell of a guy and will be missed.
Sorry for your loss. He was a great guy.
Our condolences to Russel’s friends and family.
Good bye Russ, I enjoyed knowing you, all those years ago.
Condolences to Jeff and Geordie, I remember you coming to my Moms to play!
(Fran Peck)
Dear Jeff, our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
My thoughts and prayers go out for Russ’s family. He was a super friend and legionnaire. He had a dry sense of humor. It has been years since I saw him last but remember him well.
Jeff, Gordie and families. I am so sorry for the loss of Russ he was a GREAT man and helped so much at the Hemlock “Little Worlds” Fair. He was a very intelligent man who could do anything and I mean anything and he will be missed by so many. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Take care and I’m so sorry for your loss.
Russ was a friend that everyone could hope to have. He was loyal, smart, generous, always helpful to lend a hand when needed and a lot of fun to socialize with. He was one of the smartest, mechanical minded man I knew. When Russell repaired or restored anything from a classic car to a lawn mower, it was repaired correctly and with the mind set that it will never have to be looked at again. I met Russell when I was about 12 years when I was repairing a Silver King tractor to get around with. He repaired the magneto in short order. From that day forward we worked together on restoration projects. That was 48 years ago and it doesn’t seem possible that he is gone. He is a friend that will never be replaced. I’m so lucky and grateful to have known and learned from my special friend. Rest in peace old buddy! Your friends , Mike and Shari West