Page 9 - 07-2022-ESS-Final_Neat

[ in memoriam ]

Roger H. Holmes Garrison Scott
1959 – 2022 1944 – 2022

Roger H. Holmes – 63 passed Durham, North full of light beaming each morning as he
on Wednesday May 25, 2022, Carolina – Garrison poured his 98 cent cup of coffee in the
with his wife by his side. Westley Scott, Sr. was same mug he carried always, and chatted
born New Years Eve with them about how wonderful life was.
He was predeceased by his
parents, Robert & Jean of 1944 to Merville The genuine friendships formed there, as
Scott
and
Holmes, brother, Jesse (Jake) Holmes. Mother- Anne well as many equally cherished connections
in-law Marcella (John) Monico, father-in-law, Garrison Scott in Riverdale, New York. He and friendships elsewhere along the path
Gerald Paradysz, brothers-in-law; Edward and died peacefully, even thoughtfully we’ve of his daily life were so important to him
come to say, in his home surrounded (and
Gerald (Jerry) Paradysz and a sister-in-law; we mean surrounded) by his adult children, whether at the bank, places he purchased
Deborah Ingraham. He was also predeceased by their spouses, and his first wife, Laura. His stone for his jobs, the pharmacy or with
three nephews. quilt was gently covered with hands and his neighbors. It has been an honor, shared
by many, to be loved by him. He was the
Roger is survived by his beloved wife of 33 years, tears. His daughters whispered prayers and kind of man that caused the bank teller’s
Shirley; sister, Sharon (Russ) Reid, brothers, Gary thanksgiving to him as he passed, leaving a eyes to well up with tears when she read his
(Emma) Holmes and Michael (Sheila) Holmes. hole in the world that feels as big as him, name on a birthday check he had given his
Brother-in-law, Richard Ingraham, and sisters-in- and to us, he was a giant. granddaughter. The teller, eyes wide and
law; Christine (John) Varvaro, Tina Paradysz and Garrison graduated from the NY State brimming with tears, asked if this was a
Paige Holmes. He is also survived by numerous Ranger School at Syracuse University check from THE Garrison Scott. We didn’t
nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews. College of Forestry. He served in the even have to make sure we had the right
Uncle RaRa adored and will be missed by two great US Army from 1965 – 1967. After man. The ripples of the impact he had on
nephews – Kaiden and Quinten. photographing the historic stone walls of the spirits of those he touched can never be
lower NY and PA, he took a nighttime known fully, but can be seen clearly in the
Roger and Shirley always have a house full of masonry class in 1977, which eventually eyes of his children and grandchildren. He
pampered pets and three fur babies survive him – evolved into his lifetime passion of Sticks will live in our hearts forever. Garrison cared
Stryder, JT and Jethro. & Stones. Garrison had built many homes and loved in the most unselfish of ways and
Roger was a 1976 graduate of Union Endicott and was a licensed General Contractor his family is left with a collective striving
High School. He attended Alfred University and in NC. He specialized in all kinds of to be more like him. May we love more,
SUNY ESF Ranger School where he received a masonry hardscapes and the construction stress less, stop whining and truly believe
degree in Forestry. of outbuildings. He was a registered that each cup of coffee is the best we’ve ever
land surveyor in 6 states, including the had, each sunrise the most majestic, each
He was a licensed Land Surveyor and became a Carolinas, but his passion was in masonry,
partner – then sole owner of Southern Tier Land gardening, and the outdoors. He was little hand in ours the very sweetest.
Surveying. After the sale of his business, he was a stone mason by trade, but also by He is survived by his first wife of 30 years
employed by Delta Engineering, Architects and birthright. His lineage could be traced back and the mother of their children, Laura
Land Surveyors. to the 17th century where his ancestors Maria Scott, and his former, second wife,
A lifelong water enthusiast – Roger was a Red served the Royal family in England. Two Gayle Champion Gertsch, as well as his six
Cross certified lifeguard and swim instructor. While sons carry on the family tradition. children with Laura: Valerie Anne Schwartz,
employed by the Endicott Boys & Girls Club Garrison’s love of building transcended his Garrison Westley Scott, Jr., Randall Craig
he taught children to swim for several years. He career. He built a family with his wife of 30 Scott, Rebecca Laurie Scott, Russell Curtis
earned many PADI certifications including master years, Laura Maria Scott. Together they had Scott, and Elizabeth Suzanne Frohman.
scuba diver and dedicated time helping students at six children and enjoyed a beautiful and Fifteen grandchildren were his pride and
Binghamton University obtain their scuba diving adventurous life together, full of vacations joy. He was also quite fond of claiming at
certification. He enjoyed the challenge of diving ship in their camper, weeks at Disney World, least partial credit for the sixteenth “bonus”
wreaks in the St. Lawrence Seaway and cherished and weekends in their backyard pool. As his grandchild. A beautiful, miracle child Liz
trips scuba diving with his wife on the reefs around children grew up, married, and purchased carried as a surrogate for a wonderful pair
the Caribbean Islands. homes of their own, he would show up of precious parents.
with loads of plants, bulbs and flowers for Garrison Westley Scott was truly boundless.
Another favorite activity was golf – which
he enjoyed for many years with his wife, family, their newlywed gardens. He built his own His loss is felt heavily in so many hearts
and friends. gardens, which, after decades of loving today. Sitting in his garden, swinging on
design and care, watering and pruning, the hammocks, sharing with one another,
Funeral Services were held June 3rd at Allen cultivating and sharing, look like the we can close our eyes and picture him
Memorial Home in Endicott, NY. Entombment lifetime masterpiece of a master gardener. still with us. The light in his face and his
followed at Riverhurst Cemetery, Endicott. The He built relationships with those in his contagious smile will forever brighten our
family received friends at the Allen Memorial Home path each day. Nothing was mundane hearts. A celebration of life will be held
on June 3rd. in life and not a minute was wasted or Saturday, July 9th from 3pm-5pm. Please
Published by Allen Memorial Home – Endicott on hurried away. Employees at the corner email Liz for location information at liz@
May 29, 2022. gas station could count on his bright face, coppergaterealty.com.
EMPIRE STATE SURVEYOR / VOL. 58• NO 4/ 2022 • JULY/AUGUST 7