Obituary of Basil V. Aldrich

Basil V. Aldrich, formerly of Little Valley and South Dayton, NY, passed away peacefully Saturday (January 14, 2017) in Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital, Williamsville, NY, with family at his bedside. Mr. Aldrich was predeceased by his beloved wife of seventy years, Ella (Liskow) Aldrich, in December 2015. Mr. Aldrich, born in Red House, NY, on August 27, 1925, was the son of the late Richard and late Hazel (France) and was also predeceased by his brother, Everett, and sister, Evelyn York. He graduated from Little Valley Central School in 1942 and attended Syracuse University. After completing several courses in engineering, he enlisted in the Army Air Corps during World War II. He served in the military from 1943 to 1946 as a test pilot flying the P-38 aircraft and as a pilot flying instructor. After military service, he continued his lifelong love of flying and held a commercial pilot license with single and multi-engine instrument flying and instructing certifications. At one time, Mr. Aldrich flew U.S. Air Mail and air freight on the East Coast out of the Jamestown, NY airport as well as flying fire patrol for the U.S. Forestry Service covering the Allegany National Forest area. Mr. Aldrich worked in construction throughout his career in Western New York, as a laborer and foreman, building numerous public buildings, including various stores, churches, schools, auditoriums, motels, homes and fire places. As the construction crew foreman, he was proud of the work performed by his crew and always stated he was honored to have personally been able to install the beautiful Tile Mural, using American Olean Tile Company’s tile, on the front of the City of Olean Municipal Building. Additionally, along with his wife, he built the Valley Lanes bowling center in Little Valley, NY and together they operated it for twelve years before moving to South Dayton, NY where they built the Aldrich Drive-In Restaurant on Route 62 which they operated for eight years until they retired. Mr. Aldrich is survived by two daughters, Kathleen (Douglas) Robison of Avon, Ohio and Pamela (Kenneth) Volz of Williamsville, NY. He is also survived by 5 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren, a Sister-in-law, Donna Liskow, and several nieces and nephews. Visitation will be Friday, January 20, 2017 from 9:30 am to 11:00 am at the Casey, Halwig & Hartle Funeral Home, 3128 West State Street, Olean, NY. A funeral service, with Pastor Renee Adams officiating, will immediately follow and burial will take place at St. Bonaventure Cemetery. Full military honors will be accorded by the Allegany American Legion Ritual Team. Memorials may be made to the South Dayton, NY American Legion Post # 1593; Hospice Buffalo, 225 Como Park Blvd., Cheektowaga, NY 14227; or a charity of your choice.