Obituary of George D. Laird

George D. Laird, 85, of Baldwin Road, passed away Tuesday morning at St. Mary's Hospital after being stricken at home the night before. Born November 7, 1924 in Worcester, Massachusetts, he was the son of the late George T. and Dora Lawrence Laird. He moved to Amsterdam in 1961. George was a high school graduate of St. Mary's High in Milford, MA; Worcester State Teachers College where he received a teaching certificate and he received a Bachelors of Science Degree in Education from Boston University. He was a Navy Veteran of WWII where he served on the U.S.S. John D. Henley Navy Destroyer DD553. George was employed as a school teacher for the Port Jervis School System; Ockawamick Central; Greater Amsterdam School District and the Raven- Coeymens- Selkirk School System until retiring in 1980. He was a member of the Cranesville Reformed Church; N.Y.S. United Teachers Association, NY National Education Association and the Broadalbin V.F.W. post 8690. George loved reading and working in his vegetable garden. On June 25, 1949 he married the former Ruth P. Tucker. Besides his wife he is survived by two sons, Bruce D. Laird Peg of Evergreen, Colorado and Douglas A. Laird Joan of Los Gatos, California; a daughter, Carol A. Sidlauskas Steve of Amsterdam; seven grandchildren, Brennan, Kellen, Meghan, Stephan, Brian, Joanna and Robbie; a great granddaughter, Susie; several nieces, nephews and cousins. Funeral services will be held on Saturday January 16, 2010 at 11:00 AM at the Betz, Rossi & Bellinger Family Funeral Home, 171 Guy Park Avenue with the Rev. Mary Lynn Morrison officiating. Burial will take place in spring at the West Glenville Cemetery with Military Honors. Calling hours will be held on Friday from 5 to 7 PM at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made in George's memory to the Epilepsy Foundation of Northeastern N.Y., Three Washington Square, Albany, NY 12205-5523.