Russell E. Welkley II

Russell 'Pete' Welkley II, son of Russell E. Welkley Sr. (1912–1994) and Helen Mater Welkley (1913–2002), was born on September 28, 1942, in Rochester, NY. He moved with his family to North Rose in 1944 at the age of two. Pete married Judith Pelow in 1964 and had been married 58 years at the time of his death on July 3, 2022, in North Rose. Narrative collaboration was provided by his wife Judy and son Rusty.

Pete attended Morrisville College and during his life would work the family fruit farm, the evaporator plant, Wolcott Cold Storage, and as a mechanic for the North Rose-Wolcott School District, where he retired in 2009.

Pete excelled in all his endeavors; he was well known for his mechanical aptitude — there wasn't much he couldn't operate, repair or restore. Pete enjoyed challenges and earned a private pilot's license; he was also a licensed ham radio operator. Pete, like many members of the department, enjoyed helping people and could not say no to anyone looking for assistance.

Pete's children and grandchildren would follow in his footsteps. His son Russell III 'Rusty' has been an active member of the North Rose Fire Department for over 35 years and has risen through the ranks to serve as Truck Captain, Lieutenant, 1st and 2nd Assistant Chief, and Fire Commissioner. Pete's granddaughter Kristi, daughter to Russell III, is a Registered Nurse and third-generation firefighter; at the time of this writing she serves the Clay Fire Department in Liverpool, NY, as a qualified interior firefighter trained in truck and pump operations.