Larry J. Welles

Larry Jay Welles



Canisteo



Larry Jay Welles, 73, of 23 Russell Street, passed away Friday (July 8, 2011) at Rochester General Hospital following a short illness.



Born in North Hornell, April 15, 1938, the son of William and Martha Brownell Welles, he had resided in Canisteo all his life. He was a graduate of Canisteo Central School, Class of 1956, and received his Associates Degree in Business Administration from the State University of New York at Alfred in 1959.



Together with his brother, Ronald, Larry operated the Welles Bros., Inc. sign company in Canisteo for several years. Later, with his wife Sandy, they operated the Good Times Cafe for 3 years in Canisteo. Larry was a member of the First Baptist Church in Canisteo where he served as deacon, trustee, financial secretary, church moderator, and a member of the choir of the church. He was a lay pastor at the Hornell Gardens where he wrote and delivered a sermon once every other month. He was interested in local history, and was a member and treasurer of the Kanestio Historical Society. He had traced his genealogy to England.



While at Alfred, he played trumpet in a jazz band, and also played in the Hornell Symphony and the Alfred Community Band for several years. He was recorded in the Guiness Book of Records in 2007 for his participation in Echo taps. Larry enjoyed helping people and was a community leader who was honored with the Paul Harris Award presented by the Canisteo Rotary Club. Larry enjoyed camping and hiking and was active in the Boy Scouts since 1952. He was a scout leader for nearly 50 years, and was currently an assistant scout leader for Boy Scout Troop #83 in Canisteo. He was a member of the New York Army National Guard for several years. He enjoyed Laurel and Hardy and listening to Spike Jones and Jazz Music. Larry was known as the "Happy Man" because he always whistled while walking down the street and always had a joke ready for anyone he happened to meet.



He was predeceased by his parents,



He is survived by his wife, Sandra Scott Welles, who together would have celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary on July 22, 2011, his daughters, Debra O'Shields, and Amy Welles both of Orlando, Florida, his son, David Welles of Seattle Washington, his brother, Ronald (Nita) Welles of Canisteo, 2 grandchildren, Ryan and Robin O'Shields, nieces & nephews.



To send a remembrance to the family, please visit www.brownandpowersfuneralhomes.com . The family is being assisted by Gerald R. Brown, Director.



The family will be present to receive friends at the Brown & Powers Funeral Home, 6 Spruce St., Canisteo this evening from 7-9 PM and on Monday from 1-3PM at the First Baptist Church, 45 Greenwood Street in Canisteo, where a Memorial Service will follow calling hours at 3 PM, Rev. James Patton officiating. Burial will be in Hillside Cemetery, Canisteo.



Friends may make memorial contributions to: Boy Scout Troop #83, % William Tucker, 43 Third Street, Canisteo, NY 14823, to the First Baptist Church Heating Fund, 45 Greenwood Street, Canisteo, NY 14823, to the Kanestio Historical Society, 23 Main Street, Canisteo, NY 14823 or to World Vision, PO Box 9716, Federal Way, Washington, 98063-9716.