
Laverne 'Shorty' Alton Wild, Jr., 71, passed away on Tuesday, January 7, 2025 at Geneva General Hospital surrounded by his children.
Calling hours will be held on Monday, January 13, 2025 from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. at the DeVaney-Bennett Funeral Home, 181 N. Main St., Geneva, N.Y. Funeral services will follow at 12:00 p.m. in the funeral home. The Rev. Colin Pritchard will officiate. Burial will be in Little Church Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society.
Laverne was born March 9, 1953 in Geneva, N.Y. He was the son of the late Laverne and May (Blue) Wild Sr. Shorty was the CB handle he'd received in his early 20's and the nickname stuck. Many people did not know his given name. In 1977, Shorty met Velma (Val) Montgomery. He would spend the rest of his life with her and chose to raise her three young children as his own.
Shorty worked as an automotive mechanic for many years. He was much better known for his ability to do auto body repair and painting, for which he took much pride and enjoyed. He also worked at Baillie Lumber in Waterloo for several years. During his free time, Shorty was a very good carpenter. He would build dog houses, decks, sheds and anything that was needed. Shorty was a good father and an even better grandfather and would do anything for them.
Shorty is survived by his only sister, Joyce Cunningham of Ore.; his children, Tina (Durk) Fenwick of Fla., James (Nida Siglos) Montgomery and Lisa (James) Martin both of Waterloo; seven grandchildren, Austyn (Jonathan) Yoder, Nicholas Gantz, Blake Fenwick, Casey Gantz, Jennifer Haston, Nikole Black, and Branden Black; and several great grandchildren.
Shorty was predeceased by his life partner, Val Montgomery in 2023, and his parents.