Russell Drew Bailey, Jr.

North Rose

Russell Drew Bailey, Jr. passed away at his home in North Rose, on Thursday, August 8, 2019 at the age of 94. He was born on May 28, 1925 to Russell D. Bailey, Sr. and May B. (Foote) Bailey of Ballston Spa, NY.

Calling hours will be Tuesday, August 13,4-6 PM with service  at 6 PM at the Farnsworth-Keysor Funeral Home, 5025 Main St., North Rose. Burial is at the Ballston Spa Village Cemetery August 14 at 2 PM.

He was known simply as Russ to his friends, Uncle Russell to his nieces and nephews and Mr. Bailey to his many students. Russ was an intelligent and curious fellow right from his childhood, but few know that when he was young, he hated to read. It wasn’t until his senior year his English teacher, seeing the reluctant student asked him to just promise to read one book, Green Mansions by W.H. Hudson. He read it and from then on decided he was a reader. And so began his life that led him to becoming an educator where he became an inspiration to generations of students whose lives he touched. When he was once asked which skill he was proudest of mastering he said: “If you go way back, I’d have to say reading. I like to read.”

To all who knew him, his caring and concern for others was the basic element of the tapestry woven into his life. Russ was unassuming and unpretentious in his manner and he was gifted with a fine sense of storytelling that many who knew them both, said he learned from his father. Sometimes he would get so wrapped up in a story that he could not stop laughing and his “audience” would all take a break until he regained his composure and continued. He always encouraged his family, friends and students to be curious and stay engaged with the world as interested and concerned citizens.

He gave nearly his all to stop Hitler and Germany during World War II. He was drafted in 1943 to fight in the Italian Theatre, where he was designated as a Browning Automatic Rifle Soldier. He was in the 1st wave of soldiers to invade the beachhead in Southern France. He also participated in the Liberation of Rome and D-Day in Southern France in 1944. He was captured by the Germans and put in a prisoner of war camp near Munich, Germany where he nearly starved. Fortunately though, he was freed by the Americans nine months later. He received numerous combat medals, badges and awards. Although Russell preferred not to discuss the War as a young man, he decided when he was about 65, that it would be a valuable experience both for him and his audience to talk about it. He was a sought after speaker and gave frequent lectures and participated in discussions with various civic, historic and educational organizations. In spite of, or maybe because of, his experiences with war, he never rallied for the next conflict. He was a soldier of war but firmly a man of peace.

After the war, Russell returned on the GI bill to complete his studies at SUNY Albany and moved to North Rose to teach social studies in 1949. He was planning to teach for two years and move to a bigger school where they could pay more money. But instead he fell in love with the people of this small rural community and literally and figuratively sunk down roots. He bought 24 acres of abandoned farmland. Not only did he buy the land and put a house on it but he also began a major tree planting effort. It was his “jobs program” for local youth that helped plant 100s of trees on his property that was then just barren landscape. Trees grew, covering the property and later became inhabited by Winnie the Pooh character wooden cutouts much to the joy of local children and also his nieces and nephews who came to visit.

Russ always gave back to the community. He began guidance counseling in 1965 and became Director of Guidance from 1971 until his retirement in 1981. He was president of the local teachers association and was awarded “Teacher of the Year” in 1976. He served on the Supervisory committee of the WCTA Credit Union for 25 years and dipped his toe in politics by serving on Town Council for four years. Russ was awarded the Rose Grange “Citizen of the Year” in 1987 and has served on both the Rose and Wayne County Historical Societies. He was also a member of the Rose Free Library Board. Russ was a lifetime member of the United Methodist Church, the Rose Masonic Lodge and the Ballston Spa American Legion.

Russ shared a wide variety of interests including: the history of World War II; Ancient Egypt; Ancient Rome; Dreams—their causes and meanings; Canadian stamp collecting; board games and bridge.

The family would like to thank all the kind and compassionate caregivers; Danielle Silfies, Nicole Cuppetelli and so many others that have cared for Russell the past few years.

Russell Bailey is predeceased by his father, Russell D. Bailey Sr., his mother May B. Bailey, his sister Claire Sherwood.

Russell Bailey is survived by nephew Alan (Sandra) Sherwood, niece Jill (David) Martz, great nieces and nephews, Alexander Sherwood, Gretchen Sherwood, Curtis Martz, and great-great nephew Kellen Leyh-Martz.

His family and friends will miss his kindness, generosity, intelligence, curiosity, and sense of humor. We will miss his booming voice, his laughter, his engaging stories and his love.

In lieu of flowers, and if friends wish to, they may send a donation to the Rose Free Library, Rose Historical Society, North Rose United Methodist Church, or another charity of their choice.

He leaves us this epitaph in his words: “School’s out, teacher gone home.”

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