Gordon Thomas Laird

Gordon Thomas Laird, age 94, of Geneva, passed away at home Friday evening, April 15, 2016. Gordon was born December 5, 1921 in Ashtabula Harbor to the late Ruth Elizabeth (Hackett) and William Whyte Laird. On January 3, 1942 he married Betty Jane Waterman, and the couple were parents of two daughters, Melanie (Keith) Burger of Warren, OH, and Kathleen (Steve) Doracin of Simpsonville, SC. Gordon graduated from Saybrook High School and served in the US Navy during World War II. He was stationed at Dutch Harbor, Alaska and was trained as a teletype operator at the University of Wisconsin. He retired as a machinist and eventual supervisor at Fairport Harbor Machine Shop, Columbia Steamship Line, where he worked for thirty years. Gordon was an avid Cleveland Indians fan, and enjoyed civil war history and camping weekends with family in Tidioute, PA. Gordon was a member of Saybrook United Methodist Church, and at one time served as a deacon there. An avid automobile buff, Gordon will also be remembered for his love of travel with his family, especially to the South, east and west coasts in earlier years, then later annual trips to Williamsburg, VA. Gordon was very proud of his Scottish heritage. Left to cherish his memory are his daughters, Melanie and Kathleen; beloved friend and caretaker Rita Stephens; and longtime friend Dan Whitmire of Austinburg, OH; grandchildren Christopher (Raina) Evans of Bloomington, IL, Shawn Evans of Weirton, W. VA, Scott (Shawna) Eckert of Culver, IN, Jenifer (Adam) Wharton of Fort Lauderdale, FL; great grandchildren Andrew, Nicholas, and Erica Evans, Zacharia Eckert, Lilliana Wharton, and Corrine Stephens. Several loved nieces and nephews also survive. He is preceded in death by his wife of 53 years, Betty; parents; and brothers William and Donald Laird. Family and friends will be received from 12-2 p.m. Saturday, April 23, 2016 at The Behm Family Funeral Home, 175 South Broadway, Geneva, OH. Funeral service officiated by Rev. Jeff Stoll of Saybrook United Methodist Church will follow at 2 p.m. and include a veterans honor guard service. Private burial will be at Alexander Harper Cemetery in Unionville at a later date. The family wishes to express heartfelt appreciation to staff's at Erie VA Hospital and UH Geneva Medical Center for their care and compassion during Gordon's illness. Friends may leave condolences at www.behmfuneral.com.