Honeoye: Peacefully on July 5, 2018 at age 90 years. Predeceased by his wife Rev. Barbara Humphrey and grandson Austin Paul White. Survived by children; Margaret (Paul) Watkins of WI, Douglas (Tracy) Humphrey of Fairport, and Catherine (Dan) White-Barber of Honeoye. 8 grandchildren; Ray, Jen, Carrie, Michael, Matthew, Ashley, Zeke, Chloe, 8 great grandchildren; Jake, Michael, Ayden, Sean, Katie, McKenna, Darby, and Kalila. Paul was a dedicated member of the Honeoye Community where he served in the Rotary Club, Richmond Fire Department, and the Chamber of Commerce. He was also a proud US Marine that served honorably during the Korean Conflict.
Paul was born May 5, 1928 in Richford, Vermont to parents Edgar and Minnie (Gallup) Humphrey. The family moved to the “homestead” on Phillips Road in Webster, NY when he was a very small child. He had seven brothers and one sister. Prior to graduating from high school, Paul enlisted in the New York Guard, Company G, 21st Regiment, serving from November 1944 to October 1946. He transferred directly from there to the U.S. Marine Corps in 1946, and attended Alfred University, Alfred, NY from 1949 to 1950 where he earned high school credits and studied refrigeration and air conditioning. During college, he married Barbara Myers on February 22, 1950, and they spent 65 wonderful years together. He served his country as a supply sergeant during the Korean Conflict, shipping out in 1951 and receiving an honorable discharge the following year.
Following his service, he started a small business in fire and flood restoration, which he named, Humphrey Service Company. Humphrey’s grew to become a well-known and respected establishment, located at 700 Goodman Avenue in Rochester, NY. He and Barbara moved to the lake cottage in 1985 that he had built for Barbara’s parents, Ford and Lois Myers (both deceased 1975), at 188 West Lake Road, Honeoye, NY.
After retirement, he started several other side businesses to keep himself occupied. He had a pilot’s license and enjoyed flying the club’s WWII Waco bi-plane to fly-in breakfasts, acting in several amateur musicals, traveling, and was an avid supporter of his wife’s ministry. He was a longstanding member of the Masons and Cooper Marine. He served on the Richmond Planning Board, the Chamber of Commerce, the Richmond Fire Department as a first responder and traffic manager, and at St. John’s Episcopal Church-Gleaners Kitchen in Canandaigua. He and his wife were loyal supporters of the activities of their grandchildren and great-grandchildren, attending as many of their school and sporting events as they were able.
His perpetual whistling and dry sense of humor will be lovingly remembered and sorely missed.
Friends may call Tuesday, July 10th, from 4-7pm at the Kevin W. Dougherty Funeral Home, Inc., 8624 Main Street, Rte 20A, Honeoye, NY where military honors will conclude the calling hours at 7pm. Paul’s Funeral Service will be held on Wednesday, July 11th, 11am at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 183 North Main Street, Canandaigua, NY, 14424. Memorial Contributions may be made to Honor Flight Rochester, PO Box 23581, Rochester, NY 14692 or St. John’s Episcopal Church-Gleaners Kitchen at the address above. To send a condolence or for further information please visit: www.doughertyfuneralhomes.com
