Gardner Raistrick

October 24, 2009

Gardner Walker Raistrick of Gokey Rd., Greenhurst, N.Y., passed away September 22, 2009, while living at his winter home in New Port Richey, Florida. He was born in Jamestown, N.Y., on October 28, 1917, the son of the late Albert Lawrence and Lillian Walker Raistrick. He was the husband of Bernice Kidwell Raistrick. He graduated from Jamestown High School and was a member of the state award winning JHS Marching Band. He also was a member of Braw Caddie Clan. He received a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Illinois. He was Honor Histor of Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity. After graduation Gardner was employed as an engineer by a division of General Motors in Anderson, IN. He was owner/operator of the American Incense Co. on Foote Ave. Gardner was a life member of First Baptist Church and the assistant treasurer for many years. He was on the board and treasurer of Boy Scout Troup 5. He was a member and past treasurer of the Optimist Club of Jamestown. Gardner was very interested in antique cars, Big Band Era music, the Bills and the Yankees, and working on the Optimist Soap Box Derby. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Bernice Kidwell Raistrick and three children Ann R. Fiser (Kenneth) of Lexington, KY, Albert L. Raistrick (Betty) of Greenhurst and Laguna Niguel, CA, and Debra R. Gruber (Richard) of New Port Richey, FL. He is survived by his grandchildren, J. Barton Fiser (Jeannie) of Cincinnati, OH, Cynthia F. Weddington (Kernie) of Versailles, KY, James Walker Raistrick of London, England, and Julie R. Tao (Chinan) of Aliso Viejo, CA, Rodrick M. Gruber of Arlington, TX, and Ryan M. Gruber of Mansfield, TX. Great grandchildren include Kelsey and Clay Thomas and Kayla, Olivia, and Emily Fiser. He is also survived by his sister Mary Helen Patric of Jamestown, NY, and many nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents he is preceded in death by his sister Alberta Johnson Brownell. The funeral will be at 11 AM on Saturday, October 24, 2009, at Powers, Present and Sixbey Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Lakeview Cemetery. Visiting hours will be from 5:00 to 7:00 PM on Friday, October 23, 2009. The family suggests memorials be made to Optimist Club of Jamestown Youth Fund, P.O. Box 1056, Jamestown, NY, First Baptist Church, 358 E. Fifth St., Jamestown, NY, or HPH Hospice, 6807 Rowan Rd., New Port Richey, FL 34653.