Verne Jay Aldrich Jr, 76, of Victor, passed away peacefully on January 13, 2026.

Born in Canandaigua on September 7, 1949, Verne was raised on a dairy farm in Farmington, NY, until he graduated from Manchester-Shortsville High School in 1967. After some time in the workforce, Verne earned his associate’s degree in engineering from FLCC (then CCFL) in 1979 and obtained a position with the M.D. Knowlton Company in Victor, where he worked as a design engineer until his retirement in 2005. Along with a love of riding snowmobiles, Verne was an avid outdoorsman, spending countless hours afield in pursuit of deer, rabbits and pheasants. An equally avid angler, Verne was often found on the water trolling for salmon, working a worm for bass or jigging for panfish. Verne also loved to shoot. He was active in Civil War era shooting competitions and trap leagues for years but also enjoyed target shooting with friends, often working out his latest handload. Verne remained committed to these passions for his entire life.

Verne was predeceased by his mother, Lorraine Joyce Bechtold and his father, Verne J. Aldrich Sr.

He is survived by his wife of 53 years, F. Ann Busch Aldrich of Victor as well as his daughter Katie Aldrich, his son Jonathan (Meghan) Aldrich and his grandsons James and Nathan Aldrich. Verne is also survived by his younger brother Douglas (Nemesia) Aldrich, his younger sister Sandra (Richard) Brauer, nephews Douglas and Gordan Aldrich, nieces Alexandra Brauer (Ryan Easton), Erica (Matthew) Strick, Marissa Brauer along with great-niece Grace Strick, great-nephews William and Jack Strick and many cousins.

A service honoring Verne’s life will be held at the First Presbyterian Church in Victor, NY on Saturday, January 24, 2026 at 10:00 in the morning. A private burial will be held at the convenience of the family.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made in Verne’s name to the Indian River Lakes Conservancy, to help protect the wild things and places that he loved so dearly.

https://indianriverlakes.org/