Obituary of Russell P. Wanish

Russell P. Wanish, 91, of Cortland, NY, passed away Saturday, August 27, 2016. Born on October 25, 1924 in Canandaigua, NY, he was the son of the late George G. and Florence Cummings Wanish. Russell graduated from Cortland High School in 1942. He went on to attend Syracuse University and was enrolled in the Pre-Med program. Russell returned to Cortland to work in the family business, The Cortland Corset Company. He later became Vice-President of the company, a position he held until his retirement in 1997. Russell was a devoted Catholic. He was a parishioner of St. Mary’s Catholic Church and a member of the Knights of Columbus. Russell was a lifetime member of the Cortland Elks Lodge BPOE 748, a member of the Moose Lodge and the Cortland Country Club. Russell generously volunteered his time at St. Mary’s School and at Cortland Regional Medical Center. Russell was a kind and gentle soul with a quick wit and a keen sense of humor. He maintained a consistently positive outlook and sought out the good in each person whom he met. Those who knew Russell loved him dearly and were better for having known him. Russell is survived by his nieces, Donna and Jean Wanish; nephews, John (Angela), Charles (Patricia), and James Wanish, Paul (Jacquelyn), David (Susan) and Daniel (Deborah) Yaman. Great nieces and nephews, Ryan, Brandon and Stacey Wanish, James Sease, Jamie (Valentina), Emily, Molly, Jason and Alyson Yaman, Michael (Lindsay), Caitlin and Alex Stevens, Sarah and Joe Sturges. Also surviving, long-time friend Marion Carey; caretakers, Patricia Buchholz and Linda VanWagonen. Russell was predeceased by his wife Laurice Yaman Wanish; brothers, Edward (Norma), George Jr. and Charles (Madelon) Wanish; nieces, Mary and Lindsay Wanish; brother and sister-in-law, James and Jeanie Yaman. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10:00 a.m. Wednesday at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, 46 North Main St., Cortland. Interment will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery. Friends are invited to call Tuesday from 4:00 to 6:00 pm at the Wright-Beard Funeral Home, 9 Lincoln Ave., Cortland. Contributions in memory of Russell can be made to St. Mary’s School, Cortland.