Obituary
Farmington- Harold “Hal” E. Button, age 65, died peacefully at home on Thursday, March 28, 2019.
Hal was born January 13, 1954 to Harold and Edna (Grimm) Button. He is survived by his mother, Edna Button (Richard Clark); sisters, Edna (Dennis) Houser of Palmyra and Deborah (Richard) Vanderwall of Newark; brother, Tracy (Kathy) Button of Hopewell; three nieces, Laura Button (Dan Birdsey) of Farmington, Mary (Todd) Sharpe of Hopewell and Bobbi (Joshua) Pancoast of Clifton Springs; a great nephew, Ethan Sharpe; and two great nieces, Madison Sharpe and Amelia Pancoast; best friends, Andy Hall, Scott Reese and their families. Lastly, we would like to mention the friends that have been touched by Hal’s life along the way.
Hal graduated in 1972 from Red Jacket High School, and attended Finger Lakes Community College and Hobart College. He was a cook by trade and worked many exciting jobs, including Hobart College, Rochester School for the Deaf and Canandaigua American Legion. He enjoyed deer hunting, gardening, the outdoors and educating all who would listen. He built, by hand, two log cabin homes which he was proud of. During his scouting adventures he attended the National Jamboree and Philmont Scout Ranch. Hal had an uncanny ability to reach people in a deep and positive way, because of this he was a leader at Camp Babcock Hovey for many years, where his picture still hangs proudly.
Hal was predeceased by his father, Harold Button; grandparents, Harold and Helen Button and Joseph and Ethel Grimm; niece, Meghan Orbaker and nephew, Joseph Button.
Because of his love to enrich lives by mentoring, memorial contributions may be made to Camp Babcock Hovey:
2320 Brighton Henrietta Townline Road,
c/o Babcock Hovey,
Seneca Waterways Council,
Rochester, NY 14623.
Family and Friends whose lives Hal has touched are invited to join us in a celebration of life, planned for a latter date. Please contact Scott Reese at celebratehal19@gmail.com if you would like to be included.
Condolences
Steve Long from Geneva, NY on Mar. 28, 2024
I obviously have not kept in touch with Hal and did an internet search and found this. I am sooooo sorry to hear of Hal\’s passing. He was a huge influence on me back in the late 70\’s & early 80\’s. He will always be remembered fondly in my heart as a caring man that would do whatever he could to make good things happen in this world.
I\’m just in shock, I would have believed that The Goat would have lived forever.
I remember going to the first cabin, him showing me how to tan hides, live off the land.
Also when I was a Scout at Babcock then when we worked together at Babcock, those were joyous times.
Sorry for my belated condolences but be sure that Hal will be remembered in the best light.