Obituary of Allen J. Galbraith

Allen J. Galbraith, age 65, of Old State Rd. in Wadsworth, died suddenly but peacefully on March 14, 2014. He was predeceased by his parents, Sharon B. and Dorothy A. McDonald Galbraith. He is survived by his children, Peggy (Rob) Kaufman of Dallas, TX, Don Galbraith of Wadsworth, Erin (Adam) Worden of Wadsworth, sisters, Jeanne Galbraith of Piffard, Bette (Charles) Amico of Chili, Linda Jones of Chatham, IL, Nancy (David) Leven of Dansville, brother, Jim (Donna) Galbraith of Wadsworth, aunt, Gladys Bailey of Ft. Myers, FL many nieces and nephews. Known to his legions of friends as Al, Big Al, Alley Cat, or just Allen, he was a 1966 graduate of York Central School, and attended Alfred State before coming back home to help work the family farm. He spent virtually his entire life in the Genesee Valley, and loved this place and his people. He served on the York Town Council for eight years, and had been an officer with the Livingston County Farm Bureau. In addition to his own family's farm (first Dor-Sha and later A&J Farms), he proudly worked for Trathen Logging, Lawnel Farms, his good friends and neighbors the Weiland family, and many other farms and family businesses in the area. Even when he wasn't on official farm business, he would often hop in his truck for a drive, "just seeing what's goin' on." He was extraordinarily proud of his children, and instilled in them the knowledge that your education is something that can never be taken from you. Allen was an avid college sports fan, and loved both Duke and SUNY Geneseo, as he would have said, "big time." He was a fixture at basketball, Softball, and hockey games at Geneseo, where he was a member of the Roundtable Athletic Association and was recognized as a "Legend of the Blue Knights" at Geneseo's Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremony this fall. He was a regular with his euchre card club, at dozens of bars and restaurants all over the county, and at York Central School Board meetings. For a big, strong man, he had a remarkably soft heart, especially for animals, and many of us will hold on to fond memories of seeing him around town with his best pal, Molly. Calling hours will be Tuesday, March 18, 2014 from 2-4 & 7-9 PM at the Rector-Hicks Funeral Home, 111 Main St. in Geneseo where Funeral Services will be held Wednesday, March 19, 2014 at 1 PM with Rev. David Hotchkiss officiating. Burial will be in Pleasant Valley Cemetery in York. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the York Fire Department, P.O. Box 92, Retsof, NY 14539.