Obituary
Middlesex- Rudolph L. Elwell, 91, passed away peacefully Saturday, Jan. 7, 2017 at his home, surrounded by his loving family.
Friends may call Friday (Jan. 13th) from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Kenneth J. Perkins Funeral Home in Gorham. Friends may also call Saturday (Jan. 14th) from 10 to 11 a.m. at the Middlesex United Methodist Church. A Funeral Service follows at 11 a.m.
at the church. Burial will be in Overackers Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Middlesex Valley Volunteer Ambulance, 817 Rte. 245, Middlesex, NY 14507; or the Middlesex Hose Co., P.O. Box 145, Middlesex, NY 14507.
Rudy was born on Sept. 17, 1925 in Middlesex, NY. He was the son of the late LaVern Elwell and Alice Bordwell Elwell. Although Rudy contracted polio at the age of 16, he never let this disability hinder his activity in any way. He was a graduate of Middlesex Valley Central School. Rudy attended Morrisville College for a degree in Horology and Jewelry Making. He was a self-employed watchmaker and jeweler all his life.
Active in Middlesex affairs, Rudy was a member of the Middlesex United Methodist Church, the Middlesex Heritage Group and the Middlesex Odd Fellows. He enjoyed hunting and was a member of the Middlesex Conservation Club for 34 years, and was its former President and Treasurer. Rudy was a member and former Trustee of the Middlesex Hose Co. He was also a trustee of Overackers Cemetery.
Rudy enjoyed traveling with the On-Ya Senior Citizen’s Group. He was also a member and Historian of the NY State Watchmaker Association.
Rudy loved his family and his Middlesex community. He was an inspiration to the many people he came in contact with. Rudy was an inventor at heart and had an insatiable quest for knowledge. He always had an encouraging word and drew out the best in everyone. Rudy was indeed one of those extraordinary community pillars and his absence will be acutely felt.
Rudy is survived by two daughters, Alice (David) Ellison and Esther (Gary) Pacheck; five grandchildren, Matthew (Devyn) Ellison, Adam Pacheck, Joshua Ellison, Ethan Pacheck and Elizabeth Ellison; one great-grandchild, Malachi Ellison; three sisters-in-law, Patricia Elwell, Sally (Raymond) Van Noy-Bounds and Mildred (Alan) Vakiener; and several nieces and nephews.
Rudy was predeceased by his wife, Eleanor Randall Elwell in 2002; and by his brother, Robert Elwell; and two sisters, Betty Proper and Agnes Spike.