Obituary of F. Russell Bentley

F. Russell “Russ” Bentley, 96, of Cortland passed away December 3, 2013 at the Cortland Regional Medical Center Nursing Facility. Russ was born in Syracuse on August 22, 1917 and came with his family to Cortland in the 1920’s when his father was appointed Secretary of the Cortland YMCA. Bentley graduated from Cortland high School with the Class of 1935 and then was away from Cortland for 24 years. During that period, he attended and graduated from Oberlin College, Oberlin, Ohio; served as an officer in the United States Army, Quartermaster Corps in support of combat troops in North Africa and Italy; and worked in retail for Sears Roebuck, ultimately managing the Sears store in Yonkers, New York. In 1959, Bentley left Sears and returned to his home town. He purchased F.D. Smith Hardware store (later known as Bentley’s True Value Hardware), on Main Street Cortland, and operated the business until he closed it in 1997. Bentley served the City of Cortland in volunteer capacities as a police commissioner and as chairman of the Cortland Housing Authority. He served a term as president of the New York State Retail Hardware Association. He was a faithful member of the United Presbyterian Church of Cortland, an avid golfer, fisherman, pitch player and raconteur, and a devoted husband to his wife of over 70 years, Grace Van Tuyl Bentley. He is survived by his wife, their three children Allen (Judy) Bentley of Seattle Washington, Priscilla (Dennis) Godfrey of Philomont VA, and Douglas (Conni) Bentley of Cortland NY, eight grandchildren and ten great grandchildren. Calling hours will be Saturday 3-6 pm at the Wright-Beard Funeral Home, Inc. 9 Lincoln Ave., Cortland NY, 13045. A memorial service will be held Sunday 2 pm at the United Presbyterian Church, Cortland NY, with Rev. David Johnson presiding. Contributions may be made in Russ’ name to the United Presbyterian Church, 25 Church St., Cortland NY, 13045 or the Cortland Free Library, 32 Church St., Cortland NY 13045. To offer online condolences visit www.wright-beard.com