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
i will never forget you and your wonderful family. Paul thank you you were a great boss i will always remember the HUMPHREY FAMILY
YOU WILL BE MISSED
PEGGY FRANCIOSA
Paul
you’re in a better place now i’am sure you will have many projects to keep you busy. by the way i want you and your family to know you were one of the best boss that i ever worked for i loved my job and thank you for all you taught me i will never forget you or your wonderful family you will be missed
I worked for Paul at his cleaning company in the 60’s. He was a good boss. My prayers and thoughts are with his family.
I had the pleasure of being Paul and Barb’s friend and a brother Marine with Paul. I got to know them both well on a trip to Quantico in 2004 and in our membership in Cooper Marines. They were both wonderful people and we had a blast while visiting the museum.
And yes, Paul always whistled, I called him the Whistling Marine.
Semper Fi my friend.
My thoughts and prayers are with the Humphrey family during this period of great loss.
R.I.P. Marine – Semper Fi. One Marine to another – condolences to the family.
Paul was a special man who gave a lot for his community. I remember many times there was a town emergency seeing Paul out directing traffic wearing his awesome suspenders. I always felt better and not as worried. Many Halloween nights I recall Paul out with the firefighters making sure the children of Honeoye we’re safe walking the streets. Paul often came to Honeoye shows. He would leave the auditorium ,smile and look at me. ” Nice job young lady”, he would say and that meant a lot to me. Paul, many thanks for all you gave to those of us in Honeoye and to your country. You will be missed by many. The Sykes Family
Paul was a great friend to many of those young uns and will be missed by us all. Our heart felt condolences to Paul’s family. We know you all will miss him and your Mom. May their love story continue on.
Paul, I will miss our visits and lunches together, as well as all of your stories. You were a great man and a wonderful friend. I will truly miss you … until we meet again … Hugs!
My condolences to the Family. Paul was a good friend and respected and a lot of fun. I personally will miss him
Jerry Ketchum
Paul was such a nice man. We got to be good friends when he drove the school bus for Honeoye and I was his monitor. Loved all his stories how he went to clown college, he was a clown, how he was a pilot. We had one thing in common we both loved to whistle. Every time I whistle Paul I will think of you, RIP my friend.