Stuart F. SholesAuburn - Stuart F. Sholes, 94, died at Strong Memorial Hospital on Saturday, May 27, 2017 after a brief illness. He was born on January 6, 1923 in Columbus Quarter, NY to the late Jay D. and Elizabeth Tillson Sholes. He is survived by his daughter, Sarah E. Sholes of Hyde Park; his son David G. Sholes and his wife Mary of Red Creek; grandsons Steven F. Sholes and his wife Louise, Jayson W. Sholes, Austin S. Groves and Graham G. Groves; brother Warren C. Sholes of Fort Edward; and many nieces and nephews. Mr. Sholes was predeceased in 2016 by his devoted wife of 65 years, Ruth G. Sholes; his beloved daughter Anne in 1976; his sister Caroline E. Gates; his brother Frederick I. Sholes; and his son-in-law Jeffrey J. Groves. He graduated from New Berlin Central School where he played center on the six man football team, and then received a bachelor's of science degree in agriculture from Cornell University in 1947. After working for GLF (now Agway) he became the owner/operator of Borst Brothers, Inc., an International Harvester dealership on Clark St. in Auburn, until his retirement in 1985. He was very active in community affairs, and was a longtime member of the Auburn Kiwanis Club and the Sennett Federated Church, where he was on the Board of Deacons and Elders. He was a leader of the Sennett Saddle 4-H Club, and a member of the Town of Sennett Planning Board and the Board of Trustees of the Sennett Rural Cemetery. He was a 53 year member of the Weedsport Masonic Lodge, which recently awarded him a certificate commemorating a total of 65 years as a Mason.Stuart and Ruth lived for many years in an historic brick house on Route 5 in Sennett, where Stuart raised many animals, including horses, chickens, turkeys, cats, dogs and the occasional sheep. He was active in the Boy Scouts and was a leader of the Sennett troop.Stuart was an avid and skilled golfer who had several holes in one to his name. He was a member of the Auburn Country Club and Dutch Hollow Country Club, and also played in the Cato Golf League. He had a very green thumb and a large garden that produced many different vegetables as well as gladiolus, his favorite flower. He was quite interested in genealogy and was proud to be able to trace three of his ancestors to the Mayflower. Stuart and Ruth spent many warm winters at their Florida home, where they had an active social life. They played many games of bridge together and were a formidable team. He was a very caring, insightful and selfless presence in the lives of his loved ones, whom he led by example. After their son-in-law died, Stuart and Ruth dropped everything and moved to the Hudson Valley to help raise their grandsons, Austin and Graham. Stuart's work ethic was second to none. He worked tirelessly around Sarah's house and at the age of 86 sealed her very long driveway. His finely tuned sense of humor endeared him to everyone he met - he had an uncanny ability, with a twinkle in his eye and a wry smile, to point out the silliness or irony of every situation and hilariously entertained us over the many years that we were fortunate enough to have him in our lives. The family would like to thank Dr. Richard Nangle and Dr. Halbert Feinberg for their compassionate and professional care. We are forever grateful to the Finger Lakes Center for Living for providing Stuart with a loving and secure environment at the end of his life, and to Ann Hamilton for her tender devotion to him. After a Masonic Service at 9:45 am, calling hours will be from 10 am to 12 pm on Saturday, June 3 at the White Chapel Funeral Home, 2719 Erie Drive, Weedsport, followed by a celebration of Stuart's life conducted by the Rev. Dr. George Huffsmith there at noon. Everyone is invited to a luncheon at the Old Erie Restaurant after the service. In lieu of flowers, it was Stuart's wish that memorial donations be made to the Sennett Federated Church, 7777 Weedsport-Sennett Road, Auburn, NY, 13021. Arrangements are by White Chapel Funeral Home.