Obituary of Eugene F. Bortle

Wayland – Eugene F. “Geno” Bortle, 59 after a courageous battle of which he beat the odds for several years. Geno was born July 6th, 1957 in Dansville the son of William and Marion (Daly) Bortle. He grew up in Wayland and has remained a life resident of the Wayland area. Geno was a 1975 graduate of Wayland Central School and attended college for a short time. Geno and Nancy (Wentworth) were married May 23rd, 1981 at the Dansville United Methodist Church. Together they have celebrated over 36 years together. Geno was self-employed within the commercial fire protection industry serving many businesses and restaurants. He was with Lake Shore Fire from 1992 – 1998; Lakeside Fire Protection from 1998-2008; and he owned and operated A.C.G. Fire and Safety from 2008-2015. He retired from the industry in 2015 however Geno was still a valuable consultant to the company. Throughout the years, Geno was a member of the Wayland Fire Department, the Dansville Moose Lodge, a very active member of the White Sabres Drum and Bugle Corps.; winning 5 state championships. For the past several years, Geno was a loyal congregate of the Lighthouse Wesleyan Church in Wayland. He was a member of NAFED, National Association of Fire Equipment Distributors and throughout the years, he coached Wayland Youth Football and also played and coached in local softball leagues. He was praised as an outstanding leader within these organizations and will be missed by all. Geno’s passion though was a sports card collector, mostly football cards but some baseball cards as well. He has over 50 autographed cards and pictures and a favorite of his is his Pete Rose autograph. He was an avid Buffalo Bills fan as evidenced by his status as a season ticket holder since 1978. His Buffalo Bills memorabilia collection is the desire of any true Buffalo Bill fan. Of significance as a young man and avid Buffalo Bills fan, Geno won the Western NY punt, pass and kick competition in 1970. This was the same year that Jim Kelly won it in Western PA. Geno was pre-deceased in life by his parents, William and Marion Bortle; his sister Marie at a very young age; and his brother William Bortle Jr.. To his survivors, “Don’t ever give up! Fight the Fight! And walk with the Lord!” His survivors include his wife, Nancy Bortle of Wayland; his three sons, Brad (Meghan) Wentworth of Mauldin, SC, Adam Bortle of Wayland and Kelly Bortle of Dansville; his grandchildren, Gabe, Julia, Nate, Eli, Abigail, William and Kayden; his sister Marcia Bortle (Tom Welter) of S. Dansville; his step-sisters, Janet Redance of Cummingsville and Nancy Willette of Hunt; and his longtime friend that he could always talk to regardless of the situation in life, Jim Burke of Wayland. Geno’s family and friends may call Friday from 1 – 3pm and 6 – 8pm at the St. George-Stanton Funeral Home, 109 West Naples St., Wayland. Geno’s funeral service will be Saturday at 11am at the Lighthouse Wesleyan Church in Wayland. Committal prayers and internment will take place at St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Wayland. Memorial contributions in Eugene F. “Geno” Bortles memory may be made to the Wayland Youth Football Organization.