Russell Wakeman

Russell G. Wakeman of Roscoe, NY a retired electrical engineer for NYS Electric and Gas, Liberty, NY and a life long area resident, died Friday, March 2, 2018 at the Chestnut Park Rehab. and Nursing Center, Oneonta, NY.  He was 90.

The son of the late Harry and Gladys Patterson Wakeman, he was born October 6, 1927 in Rock Rift, NY.

Russell proudly served Our Country in the US Army from 1945 to 1947; he was an active member of the United Church of Roscoe and served on several committees through the years; he was a member for over 50 years, past chief and past director of the Roscoe-Rockland Volunteer Fire Company; a former member and past president of the Roscoe Kiwanis Club; a founding member of the Roscoe-Rockland Volunteer Ambulance Corp.; a former Boy Scout Leader for Troop #107 in Roscoe, NY; a 15+ year member of the Board of Directors at the Roscoe Regional Rehab. & Residential Health Care Facility; a former member of the Sullivan County Board of Cooperative Extension and served as a Committeeman for the Republican Party. For many years, Russell owned a CB Sales and Service business and his CB "handle" was the "Treeclimber." Russell helped many travelers and made many friends through the years with his CB radio.

The Wakeman family is grateful and would like to thank the Staff at Chestnut Park for their loving care extended to Russ and his family during his illness and rehabilitation.

Survivors include his wife, and the love of his life, Virginia "Ginger" Wakeman, at home; one daughter, Sandra L. Fletcher and her husband Barry of Roscoe, NY; one son, Scott R. Wakeman and his wife Sandra of Kemmerer, WY; one sister, Martha Foster of CA; brother-in-law, Thomas Lake and his wife Roxanne; sisters-in-law, Barbara Cromie, Sharon Keene, Alice Meyers, all of Roscoe, NY, and Carol Gerow of Cary, NC; seven grandchildren; and several great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He was predeceased by one brother, Thomas Wakeman; brothers-in-law, Donald Lake, William Lake Sr., Ronald Keene, Thomas Gerow Sr., George Fassberger, Thomas Meyers Sr., Vern Cromie, Walter Bury, and Victor Pherreigo; and sisters-in-law, Joyce Bury, Dorothy Pherreigo, and Rosemary Fassberger.

Visitation will be Friday, March 9, 2018 from 2-4 and 7-9 PM in the Harris Funeral Home, Railroad Ave. Roscoe, NY.  The Roscoe-Rockland Fire Company will conduct firematic services at 7PM in the funeral home.

Funeral services will be Saturday, March 10, 2018 at 10 AM in the United Church of Roscoe, Church Street, Roscoe, NY.  The Rev. Dora Odarenko will officiate.

Burial will be in the Riverview Cemetery, Roscoe, NY.

Memorial contributions in Russell’s name may be made to the United Church of Roscoe, PO Box 233, Roscoe, NY 12776 or a charity of one’s choice.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Harris Funeral Home, Railroad Ave. Roscoe, NY. 607-498-4929 or 845-439-5200 www.Harris-FH.com