Wallace Berube

Wallace Gerard Berube October 3, 1937-December 31, 2022

Wally was born in the small town of Somerset, Wisconsin to Esther and Henry Berube; the youngest of their six children. Somerset is just across the border from Minnesota’s twin cities, which explains why he was a steadfast Vikings fan to the end.

After a brief stint at college, Wally joined the Navy where he served two years as an airplane mechanic in Corpus Christi, Texas. He then attended the University of Wisconsin at Stout and earned his B.S. in Engineering. While working and living in Chicago, he found love on a blind date with a fellow Wisconsinite, Barb. Four years and four kids later they moved to Rochester, NY for a job at Kodak. They soon had two more children to complete the family.

Wally was very active in the Sacred Heart, Kodak, and Rochester communities for the past 50 years. He was rarely idle and enjoyed, among other sports, tennis, golf, skiing, softball, sailing, and swimming. When it came to swimming he was always the first one in the water no matter the temperature, no matter the body of water (diving in headfirst, no tiptoeing in). He was never without a project to work on around the house and seemed to be able to do anything he set his mind to: whether building the family a kitchen table and couch from scratch or whipping up a beautiful Gateau St. Honore.

Wally had wonderful groups of friends from Sacred Heart and Kodak that met regularly and filled the house with laughter. He was a family man through and through and wanted nothing more than to spend time with those he loved. Highlights include the many camping trips to the Adirondacks and Wisconsin, frequent ski trips with family and friends, playing tennis all summer long at the Maplewood courts, golfing at Durand Eastman, board games with the kids, and the annual search for the perfect Christmas tree.

Sadly, Barb passed away of cancer in 1998, after 33 beautiful years of marriage. Wally was, of course, a wonderful caretaker throughout her illness. He retired from Kodak and then soon signed up to work for them again in China for a few three-month stints.

Wally wholly enjoyed his time in China and the people he met. During a break from one of those stints, he went on a scuba-diving trip to Cozumel, Mexico. With much fortune and luck, he met Janet there and great love sparked anew. After dating for some time, the two married and spent 22+ wonderful years together. Their adventures included living in China for several months, building a house near Keuka Lake, doting on their six grandchildren, and many trips around the country to visit family and friends. Wally's children are forever thankful to Janet for her loving care throughout his difficult final months.

We will always remember Wally for his kindness, his crooked smile, his dry sense of humor, his gentle laugh, his love for fun, and his superior skills at Trivial Pursuit.

Wally is predeceased by his first wife Barbara; siblings Dolores, Lucille, and Harold; nephew Rodney. Survived by his wife Janet; children Tim (Sabina) of CO, Dan (Laura) of UT, Janine (Tatjana) of Endwell, NY, Katie (Brian) Zuris, and Amy (Bob) Corwin; grandchildren Emily, Madison, Anastasia, Nicholas, Steven, and Claire; brother James of VA; sister Alice Mullan of WI; many nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and family.

Calling hours will be held on Thursday, January 12th from 4:00-6:00pm at Farrell-Ryan Funeral & Cremation Services 777 Long Pond Rd., Rochester, NY 14612. Funeral mass will be held on Friday, January 13th at 9:30am at St. Theodore’s Church 168 Spencerport Rd, Rochester, NY 14606. Internment at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, consider a donation in Wally’s memory to a charitable organization of your choice.