Bristol, NY: Wayne passed peacefully on September 21, 2019 at age 80. Predeceased by parents Franklin & Velma Houseman and son Aaron Houseman. Survived by his wife of 58 years Beverly (DeGraff) Houseman; children, Heather (Don) Sabol of Reno, NV and Kyle (Christine) Housman of Honeoye; grandchildren, Jennifer (Tom) Horton of Honeoye and Sarah (Jacob) Randell of Palmyra; great-grandsons, Ryan, Aiden, and Owen Horton. Also survived by his sister Glenda (Edward) Heselton and many other loving family and friends.
Wayne was born in Medina on June 10, 1939. He graduated from the State University of New York at Brockport with is Masters of Education. From there he became a teacher and then principal at Victor Central School. Wayne cherished his students and staff at Victor Central. He was very active in the schools Drama club participating in many musicals. Wayne also loved to chaperone dances so he could show off his dance moves. He retired from Victor Central School and then went on to become the Bristol Town Supervisor. As the Bristol Town Supervisor Wayne adored his community. He was a listening ear for all community issues and made great strides to better the terrain of Levi Courser Park. He served for over thirty years on the Ontario County Traffic Safety Board also serving as Its Chairman. He was a member of the Ontario County Historical Society and an avid volunteer. Each year he would volunteer as Santa Clause at the Bristol Town Library and various nursing homes in the area.
His hobbies included tending to his goats, outdoor activities such as hunting in the Bristol hills on his very own “Houseman Hill”, fishing and puttering around his Bristol Hills home. Wayne will be fondly remembered as a family man. He loved his wife Beverly with his whole heart and loved nothing more than spending time with his children, grandchildren and great grand children.
Family and friends may call on Thursday, September 26th, from 4-7pm at the Kevin W. Dougherty Funeral Home Inc., 8624 Main Street, Rte 20A, Honeoye, NY where a Service to Celebrate Wayne’s Life will be held at 1pm on Friday, September 27th. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Bristol Fire Department, 4350 Rte 64, Canandaigua, NY 14424 or to the Town of Bristol – Parks Dept., 6740 County Road 32, Canandaigua, NY 14424. To send a condolence or share a memory please visit: www.doughertyfuneralhomes.com
Mr. Houseman hired me to teach at VJH in 1980. I remember enjoying him so much at our interview, and then finding out what a great principal he was. It seemed he might have been cloned into multiples. He would be everywhere! He had his hand on the pulse of the teachers and the students all the time. He would read our plan books every two weeks, look at our process and procedures, and fill in comments about it all. He gave guidance for improvement, stood by when support was needed, showed us what a good leader and educator should be. I retired after teaching for 38 years, and I am grateful for the way he helped me find my way in the classroom. He supported me when I needed it, made us laugh at his puns, and holds the respect of students and teachers who will always love him.
Wayne was the heart of the Ontario County Traffic Safety Board for my years as STOP-DWI Coordinator, as well as a constant voice of reason and good sense.
All of us privileged to know him will miss him very much. Our thanks to his wonderful family for lending him to us as both a friend and an example of service to others.
My condolences to his family and dearest friends. Memories of him walking the halls at Victor Junior High School fill my mind. His sincere smile and spectacular handlebar mustache always greeted me and many others. At school dances, students would all gather around him just amazed to see his stellar dance moves. By far, one of the most beloved teachers at Victor Central. ~?~
Who could ever forget Mr. Houseman as Richard Henry Lee in the faculty production of “1776”. He defined that character for me and to this day I am convinced he did a better job in that role than the actor in the movie. “? Here a Lee, there a Lee, everywhere a Lee Lee..” My face still smiles at the recollection. It was truly a role made for Wayne Houseman. He was a kind man who knew how to lead life to the fullest. Our children were blest to have had the benefit of his leadership.
Me. Houseman hired me as a teacher’s aide in 1996 at Victor Central School. I retired after 24 years. I always admired his gentle and caring demeanor. Knowing him was a true pleasure and a blessing. I am certainly saddened by his passing.
So sorry to hear of Wayne’s passing. He truly loved Bristol and I am honored to have known such a dedicated public servant and overall kind person. RIP, Wayne.
He was one of my favorite teachers. Sorry to hear of his passing. May God Bless his loved ones at this difficult time.
Thinking of you Bev and your family at this difficult time. I will always fondly remember Wayne for his quiet, positive attitude, infectious smile and chuckle and great handlebar mustache
He was a great teacher. Sorry for your loss.
So sorry to hear about Mr. Houseman. Thinking of the family at this time.
What a gift Mr. Houseman was at Victor Jr. High. He was always willing to take a moment to listen to any student and offer support. I will always remember the year he dressed up as Santa and Mr. Fletcher (vice principal at the time) dressed up as his elf. I saw Mr. Houseman and his wife at Wegmans a few years back and he remembered my name. I introduced my youngest 2 children and he spent the next 15-20 minutes talking to them about school and their goals. A great man who had a warm heart, and well, lets be real, the best handle-bar mustache ever! Blessings and prayers to the Houseman Family.
I was hired my Mr Houseman as a teacher aide in the 80’s. I’ve always admired him for his integrity and fair mindedness. He established a great work environment .
I remember Mr. Houseman as a history teacher, I think he taught me about New York State history. Information I still remember and for which I am grateful. I remember a field trip to the Burning Springs in the Bristol Hills. He was an interested teacher and an involved citizen of his community. Fondly remembered, please accept my sympathy and gratitude. Rest in peace.
Although I have only seen Mr. Houseman a couple of times since graduating VCS in 1971, I will always remember him fondly. I remember his enthusiasm and humor as he taught me American History in 7th (or maybe it was 8th) grade. I remember his presiding over a noisy group of students in the old auditorium after lunch, and his remark that, “Silence is a virtue, and some of us are not very virtuous!”. And I remember him in a play that I believe was named, “The Solid Gold Cadilac”, put on by the faculty in the old auditorium… probably in the mid ’60’s. Godspeed, Mr. Houseman.
He really cared about the students and it showed. When my dad worked as a janitor at the school, he was just wonderful to my dad. Rest in Peace.
Sue Fox Garrett
I will always remember Mr. Houseman as my Jr. High Principal. He always tried to make a difference. I remember when he brought me to his office because I was smoking. He took my cigarettes and called my mother. She told him to do what he thought best and for him, that was talking to me with no judgement, no criticism. He was an amazing man and very gifted with his interactions with others. May he rest eternally knowing the impact he had on so many lives. ??
Heather: I am so sorry for your loss.
Bev and Wayne were our neighbors on Rt. 64. We always waved as we went by and admired how hard working he was. When the Bristol Fun days were going on he was always friendly and hard working. May God sustain you Bev and family with many happy memories. Maggie and Jim Brewer
I remember Mr. Houseman well, not only as my teacher at VCS, but also as the camp director at Bristol 4-H Camp. He had great patience and tolerance for us as we came up through those tough years. My favorite memory is his performance at the Christmas school program and his rendition of Winter Wonderland, which I have sung to all my grandchildren. He clearly has left his mark on the world
I will always remember Mr. Houseman as my junior high principal. He stood tall in his suit with his tie and his pocketwatch And twirling that signature moustache. I never had any issues with him but know many who did. He didn’t take any you-know-what! After school many years later , he was a customer at my work place. He was tickled to know I remembered him and he was a sweet man. My sympathies to you all and sorry I cannot attend. May he rest in peace.
So sorry to hear of Wayne’s passing. Prayers and thoughts to Beverly and family. Sincerely ,Sandy Smalley Bartlett.
Back in the 1970’s Mr. Houseman was then The Jr. High – Vice Principal & hall monitor, 7th and 8th grade “Social Studies” Teacher until his full time Jr. High Principle in 78, 79 school year.
He will surely be missed by all who knew Mr. Houseman ? May he rest in piece
From
Albert J. Gliewe – Student – neighbor, friend
Many yrs at vcs and back in the day sharing Sunday’s at church ( presb) the towns and communities truly were blessed by your family. Stetn with a fair hearted sole while rubbing that 1 of a kind handle bar mustache . Classic icon whom gave us all a moment, story , or helping hand. That deep laugh showed how deep he cared. A full life is his blessing. Enjoy your tears of love for him while he towers over you all from above now. Star.
So very sorry to read about the passing of Mr Houseman. Prayers for all!