Hugh H. Comfort

Hugh H. Comfort, 79, of South Otselic, NY, passed away on Tuesday, January 19, 2016, at his home, while surrounded by his family.

Born in Painted Post, NY, on January 1, 1937, Hugh was the son of the late Harold and Olive Denison Comfort.  A longtime resident of South Otselic, he attended the South Otselic United Methodist Church.  He proudly served in the U.S. Air Force during the early stages of the Vietnam Conflict and was a member of the Perry Cook American Legion Post #973.  He was a 53-year member and past chief of the S. Otselic Fire Department and Emergency Squad where he held every office, including the first safety officer in the history of the department.  He was also a member of the Otselic Valley #659 F & AM and the Otselic Valley Grange.  For several years, he served as the Justice of the Peace and Town of Otselic Councilman.  He had been employed at Brewer-Tichnor, Cortland, for 25 years and eventually retired from Simmons Precision, Norwich.  In his spare time, he served as a member and leader for 4-H and volunteered as a coach for both baseball and soccer.  He was proud to be a foster parent to over 60 children and also hosted several exchange students during their stay at Otselic Valley.

He is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Mary Elizabeth Locke Comfort; and sons, Harold (Diane) Comfort and Malcolm Comfort, all of S. Otselic.  He also leaves behind an adopted daughter, Kathy Stevens, of Cortland; grandchildren, Olin, Erie, Emily, and Jessica Comfort; brothers, Howard “Crunch” Comfort of Cortland and Dale (Melody) Comfort of Altadena, CA; a sister, Delia “Deedee” Walberger of Phoenix; a special nephew, Ken Comfort of Bath, NC; and several other nieces, nephews, and cousins.

The family will be present to receive friends at the K.L. Sharp Funeral Home, Cincinnatus, NY, on Friday from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with a Masonic Service to be held at 6:30 p.m.  Funeral services will be held at the South Otselic United Methodist Church on Saturday, January 23, 2016, at 10:00 a.m. with Reverend Carl Johnson officiating.  Burial will be in Valley View Cemetery at a later date.  Expressions of sympathy in memory of Hugh may be directed to the S. Otselic Fire Department, P.O. Box 41, S. Otselic, NY 13155.