Wilson Ruston Gearhart Jr.

Gearhart, Wilson Ruston
Ithaca, NY: Wilson Ruston "Lefty" Gearhart, 86, of Ithaca NY and formerly of Naples FL and Huntington NY, passed away on Wednesday November 5, 2014. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Eleanore, sons Rob (Marybeth Tarzian) of Ithaca, NY and Jamie (Susie) of Robbinsville, NJ, and grandchildren CJ, Wilson, and Leanna. Wilson was born in Philadelphia PA on December 8, 1927 to Wilson Ruston Gearhart and Emma Becker Gearhart and raised in Staten Island NY. Lefty graduated from Curtis H.S. before being the first in his family to attend college by earning an athletic scholarship to Wagner College, graduating in 1949. It was there he met "Ellie" and after college they married and moved to Long Island for jobs as educators. Will's career began in coaching, then elementary teaching before finding his calling as an administrator. He spent over 30 years in the Syosset Central School District as a teacher, principal, and Assistant Superintendent for Elementary Education, retiring in 1987. Lefty was an avid tennis player at the Huntington Racquet Club and had an active and social retirement playing tennis and dancing with his life partner Ellie at the Wyndemere Country Club in Naples FL. In 2012 Will and Ellie moved to Bridges Cornell Heights in Ithaca NY to be closer to family. A private memorial service will be held on Saturday November 8, 2014. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions should be made to the local charity of your choice.






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