Wesley E. Mcdermott

Wesley E. McDermott passed away on Saturday, August 22, 2015, surrounded by his loving wife, children and special cousins.

Born January 17, 1942 to the late Samuel B. and Lillian (Coon) McDermott, in Auburn, NY, and lifelong resident of Lansing NY. Wes was a respected Attorney in Ithaca, practicing law for over 40 years. His list of accomplishments is almost as long as the list of the lives that he has touched over his lifetime.


Wes graduated from Genoa Central School in 1959. In June of 1961, he graduated from Auburn Community College, and also married his lifelong soulmate, Judith Solomon. In 1962, he enlisted in the United States Army. He attended artillery and missile officer candidate school, in Fort Sill, OK. He was First Lt. Captain eligible, and honorably discharged in 1963. In pursuit of his career, he was released from inactive reserves in 1969. He attended and graduated from SUNY Cortland, with a degree in Sociology in 1966. He went on to SUNY Buffalo School of Law, and received his doctorate of law degree in 1969, later being admitted to the Bar Association in 1970. He was Lansing Town Supervisor from 1972 - 1976, but his true passion was law, especially criminal law. Wes thrived on serving the public in any way he could, and became the Assigned Council Chair of Tompkins County from 2010-present day. It gave him great pleasure to advise and council the "younger" attorneys in the county, and felt that he was making a difference in their law practices. He was an avid "antiquer" and collector of many, many things. He loved his little get-a ways to the casinos.


Wes was preceded in death by his parents, Sam and Lillian, and a brother, Doug. He is survived by the love of his life, Judy, to which he has been married to for 54 years, in addition to his sister, LaVonne (Vern) McKane, children, Lance, Kelli, Bret, and Chelsea, his grandchildren, Mackenzie, Michael, Kennedy, Taylor, Morgan, and Reace, and many cousins, nieces, nephew. He will be missed more than words could possibly express, and our hearts ache with his absence.

Funeral services will be held at the Lansing United Methodist Church on Thursday, August 27th at 1:00 P.M. Friends and family may attend calling hours at Bangs Funeral Home, in Ithaca, NY, on Wednesday, August 26, from 4:00 - 7:00 P.M. He will find eternal rest at the North Lansing Cemetery, where he will receive full military honors. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Tompkins County SPCA or the North Lansing Ladies Auxiliary.