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- [S927] Obituary.
LeFrois, Russell P.
Webster: AKA "The Main Man" or "Big Daddy" and founder of Russell P. LeFrois Builders & Developers, died Monday, March 30, 2015. He was 92.
Born in Rochester, NY, Russ began learning his construction skills from his father who was a cabinet maker. He joined the United States Coast Guard, and was stationed in NYC during WWII, where he met his wife Estelle. He made a deal with Estelle: "a Steak Sandwich for a ride on your sailboat." From then on they would not be separated. Using his last $90 from being discharged in 1946, Russ bought an engagement ring for Estelle. They moved to Webster, NY and raised 2 children, Richard and Janine. They were happily married for 57 years until Estelle's passing in 2003.
"No one knew how to have fun like my dad" said his son, Richard LeFrois, President of LeFrois Builders & Developers. He always had a joke to tell and loved a good party. Russ used his free time to cultivate hobbies that were fun for him and his family. An avid boater, he bought a marina on Seneca Lake, and enjoyed traveling with his friends throughout the Finger Lakes and the Florida intercostal waterways.
Also a horse enthusiast, Russ and his wife made many happy memories at their horse farm "Krazy Acres" in Ontario, NY. He loved his Shetland Ponies, riding horses, and beef cattle. In the mid-70's he got the "itch", he wanted to get into horse racing. "My father always could find a good deal," said daughter, Janine. He went to a horse auction and picked out a horse he really liked and he bought the horse for $1,000.... it was the buy of the sale! The horse, Andios, was one of the top invitational pacers in New York State.
Janine said, "My father always had a way for remembering people and having people remember him." We would go into a restaurant in Florida with numerous people waiting for tables. All of a sudden we immediately got called for our table. I asked him, "How did you do that? He replied "I gave her a Silver Dollar last week and she remembered me". Many people who knew my Dad and received a silver dollar from Rusty LeFrois knew they were special.
Russ' zest for life was instilled in his family who continue to enjoy many of the same hobbies today. Russ was lucky to have many lifelong friends in Webster, NY and South Florida, where he spent his winters. He had a fun-filled life.
In 1947, Russell started Russell P. LeFrois Builders, on the principles of quality and affordable custom homes. The company, which became incorporated in 1963, built over 100 custom homes in Webster, NY during the years Russell was President. As the company grew, Russell expanded the business to incorporate commercial construction. Some of the company's first commercial projects included remodeling Hedges Nine Mile Point Restaurant and building the clubhouse at Happy Acres Golf Course.
Rusty was an ever present force at LeFrois Builders. "He had a great work ethic", Rich said. "I owe a lot of my success to him." He treated his employees as family; they expected to see Russ at the job every day, even at 90 years old. His eye for detail and high expectation never wavered.
Russ' legacy will continue with the family business that his son, daughter and grandchildren all participate in. LeFrois Builders currently employees 80 people and has developed over 30 million square feet of commercial property in New York and Central Florida.
Russell is survived by Rich LeFrois and his wife, Phyllis; daughter, Janine LeFrois; two grandchildren, Maiya (Matt) Greenfield, and John (Jennifer) LeFrois; and 3 great-grandchildren, Austin & Ashton Greenfield, and Abigail LeFrois.
The family will greet friends at Anthony's Funeral Chapel, 1031 Ridge Road, Webster, NY on Friday, April 10 from 4-7 PM. His Funeral Mass will be held 10 AM, Saturday, April 11 at Holy Trinity Church, 1460 Ridge Road, Webster, NY, with burial to follow at Webster Union Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Highland Hospital Foundation, 1000 South Avenue, Box 40, Rochester, NY 14620. To share a memory of Russell or send a condolence to the family, visit www.anthonychapels.com.
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Published in Rochester Democrat And Chronicle from Mar. 31 to Apr. 10, 2015
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1922 - 2015 (92 years)