Obituary of Sidney C. Wheat

Sidney Charles Wheat, Sr, 82, of Penfield, NY, passed away on July 3^rd at home.

Calling hours will be held at Jennings Nulton & Mattle Funeral Home, 1704 Penfield Rd, Penfield, on September 15th from 3pm-7pm. 

A private family burial will be held separately. 

Sidney was born in Clifton Springs, NY to Sidney Van Buren and Amelia Hartmann Wheat on December 23rd, 1940.  He was the oldest of 5 children.  He went to school in Clifton Springs and graduated in June, 1958. 

He served in the U.S. Navy from 1958-1964. While in the Navy Sidney achieved the rate of Electronics Technician Second Class and was awarded The Good Conduct Medal for exemplary behavior, efficiency, and fidelity in active Federal Military service. He served aboard the Destroyer Tender U.S.S. Grand Canyon (AD-28) and Guided Missile Destroyer Charles F. Adams (DDG-2). After 6 years of loyal service, he was honorably discharged in 1964. At the time of his death, Sidney was an active member of the American Legion Post 1229 Penfield, NY.

After an honorable discharge from the United States Navy, Sid went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Rochester Institute of Technology, while working in the Research Labs at Eastman Kodak Company.  At Kodak, while volunteering for a company sponsored musical, he met his wife, Barbara.  Sid was building sets and Barbara was playing the piano.  They married in 1965 and spent over 3 decades living together on Burrows Hills Drive in Penfield, NY.  It is there that they raised their children, Chuck and Kathy, as well as Richard and Judy from Barbara’s previous marriage.   Sid retired after 36 years at Kodak, as a Patent Liaison Lead. He was an active member of the American Legion for over 17 years.

He enjoyed an almost 4-decade long relationship with Barbara and was devoted to her well-being, particularly in their later years.  After Barbara’s passing, Sid was blessed to meet Nancy Chesterton, who became his loving companion for the last 20 years of their lives.  

One of his favorite places was 14 Isle Lake in Ontario, Canada.  He first went with his Uncle Chuck and the Rochester Fishing Club when he was 13 years old.  The trip became a family tradition and Sidney enjoyed the lake with family and friends for 63 years, only missing 4 years when he was on active duty in the Navy.  

Sid was a true Outdoorsman, enjoying hunting and fishing.  He was happiest walking in the woods or wetting a line.  Some of his favorite memories included deer hunting with his brother Carl and son Chuck in the Southern Tier of NY, as well as fishing for trout in Naples Creek or Walleye on 14 Isle in Canada. Sid’s other favorite hobbies included gardening, cooking or traveling.  Over the years he and Barbara traveled to many locations including Japan, Singapore and Europe, as well as California, Georgia, North Carolina, Colorado, Texas, and Alaska.  Later in life, he enjoyed traveling with Nancy, to Mexico, Hawaii, Alaska, and Florida among other places.  

Sid was strong, but gentle and had a great sense of humor and was fiercely loyal to those he loved. He had a warm heart and was always willing to help a friend.  He loved children and would often get down on the floor and play with his children and grandchildren.  While he was frugal with himself, he was generous towards others.  This was especially true when Sid invited you to dinner.  He loved to entertain.  Known amongst friends and family as a Gourmet, his cooking was not to be missed.  He was also a lover of dogs and the feeling was mutual. He was a dog whisperer; with his own dogs he trained them to be obedient and well behaved family members and with his grand dogs, his focus was spoiling them.  

His wisdom, humor and down home demeanor will be missed by all who knew him.

Sidney is survived by his son, Sidney Charles Wheat, Jr. (Amalie Couvillion), Anchorage AK, daughter, Kathryn Ann Burroughs (Philip), Bloomfield, NY; wife Barbara’s children, Richard Markham Yager (Eileen Joyce), Vernal, UT, Judith Evans Selig, Round Lake, NY; his brother, Carl D. Wheat (Sharon), Brockport, NY, sister Carolyn A. Reding (Ronald), Fairport, NY, sister, Mary A. Reed, Madison, OH; grandchildren, Calean Burroughs, Lucy Wheat, Josephine Wheat, Eliza (Hotchkiss-Yager) DePetris (Stefan), Rebecca Selig, Aaron Selig, Abigail Selig; great grandchildren, Addison Thompson, Luca DePetris; nieces and nephews, David (Heather), Paul (Kathryn Stead) and Mary Karen Wheat, Amy (Reding) Jacobs (Scott), Scott (Olivia), Adam (Deanna) and Nathan (Hayley) Reed, Jessica (Reed) Medvec (Steve) and 17 grandnieces and nephews; bonus children, Patrick Chesterton (Amy), Katie (Chesterton) Coleman (Jason); bonus grandchildren, Henry and Lainey Chesterton, Christian Connor, Caroline and Molly Coleman.

He is preceded in death by his wife of 36 years, Barbara C. Wheat; companion of 20 years,Nancy Chesterton, parents Sidney Van Buren Wheat and Amelia Hartmann Wheat, brother, Thomas Wheat, niece, Sandra (Wheat) Burroughs and nephew, Daniel Wheat. 

Memorial donations may be made to any of the following charitable foundations:

Leukemia Foundation

Pancreatic Cancer Research

Red Cross

American Legion

 The family wishes to extend their gratitude to Penfield Ambulance, Monroe County Sheriff and the American Legion.