Obituary of Murray L. Aldrich

Murray L. "Stub" Aldrich, 93, of Cortland, passed away on April 7, 2020 in Scottsdale, AZ. He was born in Cortland, NY in 1926, the son of the late Floyd M and Frances E Aldrich. Stub joined the Navy in 1943, graduating from boot camp at Sampson Naval Training Station in Romulus, NY and served during WWII as a Signalman on the USS Oglala and USS Rigel in the South Pacific theatre. Stub ran the Aldrich Insurance Agency with his late wife Agnes, for several years after his Naval service following his parents retirement. Stub then went to work for the City of Cortland Fire Department, working his way through the ranks to Captain, accepting the duties of lead Training Captain for many years. Stub took classes and received his AAS Degree from TC3 in 1978 at age 52 Stub was not a man to stay idle. He was a lifelong member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Cortland as well as a member of Our Lady of Perpetual Hope Catholic Church in Scottsdale, AZ; he volunteered at Cortland Memorial Hospital in Radiology; he loved driving the NY Jets VIP/Media van when they did their spring training at SUNY Cortland where he entertained team members and visitors with his history and colorful stories; he was a member of the Knights of Columbus, Elks Lodge #748, VFW Post 2354 Tioughnioga Post, American Legion Post #489, DAV of Cortland #153 and he participated in most every Veteran's event in Cortland, from Memorial Day to Veteran's Day, placing the WWII wreath and still wearing his Navy uniform from the 1940s. He was honored to be a part of Honor Flight Mission 8 at age 90. Stub loved family adventures and took his family every year on a camping trip all over including Yellowstone, Banff and Alberta, Canada and many other parts of the country. Fillmore Glen was a favorite camping "hot spot" for him and many of his firefighter friends and their families for many years. Stub enjoyed spending time with family playing cards, telling many stories of his time in WWII and soaking in the sunshine. He will be missed beyond words by so many for his loving and caring ways and his one liner comments always trying to catch us off guard ending with laughter. Stub is survived by his wife Marietta B. Aldrich, his children Daniel (Kathy) Aldrich, Kathryn (Robert) Wilcox, John (Barbara) Aldrich, Timothy Aldrich, Mark (Sheila) Aldrich, Donna Taylor (Roger Slater), Susan (Dan) Bell and Thomas (Jennifer) Aldrich; Step Children, Deborah Pleickhardt , Scott (Alicia Zupancic) Van Donsel, R Charles Van Donsel, John (Susan) Van Donsel, and Alan (Andi) Van Donsel as well as 22 Grandchildren, 33 Great Grandchildren and multitudes of nieces, nephews and other family members. Stub was predeceased by his first wife of 55 years Agnes (Van Donsel) Aldrich, son, James R Aldrich, sister, Ruth E Johnson as well as his parents Frances and Floyd Aldrich. We will love you always. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, no calling hours will be held. You are welcome to join the virtual service following private family time at the Wright-Beard Funeral Home which will then immediately proceed to St. Mary's Cemetery for the burial. The service can be joined via the Wright Beard Funeral Home public FaceBook page, which needs no login or membership, on Wednesday, April 22, 2020 at 1PM. Donations may be made to St Mary's School, 61 N Main St., Cortland, NY 13045