Deaths, Funerals, and Facebook etc. in the Covid Era

 

Russell Merle Waid

FEBRUARY 22, 1934 – JANUARY 17, 2021
Obituary of Russell Merle Waid

Russell M. Waid, beloved husband and father, peacefully passed away at his home in the presence of his family on January 17th, 2021.

He was born February 22, 1934 at home in Guys Mills, Pennsylvania to Earl Russell Waid and Marian Helen Waid, nee Byham.

He was married to Ruth Ann Waid, nee Beuchat, on August 20, 1955 in Meadville, Pennsylvania.

He is predeceased by his parents, his siblings, Leverette, Norman, Alec, Howard, Charles and Addie and is survived by his youngest brother, David.

He is survived by his wife, Ruth Ann and his children Rick Waid and his spouse Kevin Steele and Rob Waid and his spouse Cathy Waid, four grandchildren, five great grandchildren as well as nieces and nephews.

A celebration of Russel’s life will be held privately (due to Covid) for the family on Saturday, January 30, 2021 at 1:00 pm Easter Standard Time at First Congregational UCC of Sarasota, Florida and will be live streamed for family and friends near and far on the church’s Facebook page.

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This is the obit. for my neighbour Russell Waid. As you can see, I was a "Johnnie Come Lately" in his long and good life.  He and Ruth Ann would sit out in their car port in the warm days.  They loved my dog Zion, and he loved them, for they always had a treat on hand if we walked past.

Russell was deeply respected and admired by all his neighbours.  His two sons and their families loved and respected  him with a fierce passion.  (As also for their mother Ruth Ann).  

In pre-Covid days I would have attended his Church  funeral.  But for wisdom's sake it was attended by family members only.

But these are not only Covid19 days.  We live in Zoom, Facebook, and Face Time days. So I, with other neighbours;  and with  family members of the Waid family who live faraway were able to be at the funeral via Facebook.

COVID is medically deadly.  Apart from that, which of us could have ever imagined that separated from our nearest and dearest by a virus, we would be able to encounter them "face to face" (so to speak) by the use of a Smart 'Phone, P.C., or Laptop.

Pretty darn good I say "not to be taken for granted'.


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