Most of his life was lived in Perry Center and Geneseo. He was the salutatorian of Perry High School Class of 1942. He received a full scholarship to Cornell University and graduated with a degree in Government in 1946.Herb had a life-long love of theatre, music, and fine arts. In 1964, he was awarded the Dramatist Play Service Scholarship at the Univ of Wisconsin. He acted in plays at Perry High School, Cornell University, San Antonio, Texas, Little Theatre in Rochester, Batavia Players, and was actor, producer and director of Perry Players for fifteen years. Herb was a long time member of First Congregational Church in Perry Center, Perry Center Fire Department, and Masons Constellation #404 of Perry. He owned and operated an insurance and real estate business in Perry for 35 years.
In 2005 he established the Jean M Besser Scholarship for a student in the arts at SUNY Geneseo. He was the curator of the Stowell Wiles Art Gallery at the Perry Library, where he served as a trustee for 22 years, 8 of those years as president. He retired from the library at age 80, but continued as the principal fundraiser for the library parking lot expansion plan. He was also a volunteer at Memorial Art Gallery in Rochester.
The family would like to thank everyone for their kind words and support extended to us at this difficult time.
You are invited to join the family for Herb’s Memorial Service at 2:00 P.M. on Sunday, March 6, 2016 at the First Congregational Church in Perry Center 7205 Perry Center Road Perry, New York 14530.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Perry Public Library70 Main Street N, Perry, New York 14530 or the Prospect Hill Cemetery Association C/o Joan Sage7284 Route 20APerry, NY 14530. For more information please call (585) 237-2626 or to leave a message of condolence please visit www.eatonwatsonfuneralhome.com. Arrangements completed by Eaton-Watson Funeral Home, LLC. 98 North Main Street Perry, New York 14530.
