Obituary for Scott B. Aldrich
Scott Burton Aldrich, 72, of Fredonia, NY, a businessman, and entrepreneur, passed away with family by his side on December 5th, 2022. He was born April 8th, 1950, in Dunkirk, NY, to the late Gertrude and Leonard Aldrich.
Upon graduating from Fredonia High School in 1968, he enlisted in the United States Air Force as a cryptology machine technician assigned to the Air Force Communications Service. His service allowed him to excel in using his advanced skills and training in repairing cipher machines used worldwide. His military career took him to South Korea, Germany, Turkey, and England. After completing his enlistment, Scott joined his parents and brother Craig in the family business, Aldrich Dairy. Scott expanded the family business by following his dream of opening an ice cream parlor and family diner restaurant with the farm-to-table concept before it became popular.
For 31 years, Scott enjoyed running Aldrich's Beef and Ice Cream Parlor, where he featured specials such as "sing for your sundae," week-long specials of all-you-can-drink chocolate milk, perfect banana splits, and big burger platters, to name a few. He mastered the art of making premium homemade ice cream which was featured in his restaurant and sold in the family retail stores. Scott enjoyed helping the community with local celebrations and fundraisers, such as his creation of impressive 500-pound sundaes, thought to be the largest in NY State at the time. He used his dry and witty humor to launch his one-day-only special April Fools Day ice cream flavors. For 23 years, he created a media frenzy with crazy flavors such as "beef gravy," "chocolate spaghetti," "bacon and eggs," and "chicken wing" ice cream. It became a special tradition in the Aldrich family, with lines out the door of customers waiting all day long to sample that year’s flavor. He, along with his daughter Julia, were interviewed by radio, TV, and newspaper outlets from all over the country and world, even the Johnny Carson show with Jay Leno featuring some of his wacky creations. Scott always had a warm smile, was a great listener, and had a wonderful sense of humor. As it was often called, Aldrich's was home and family to many so many customers and first-time employees, and some of whom are considered family, especially Gina Hesslink and Terry Spinler.
Scott loved his wife, Larisa, and daughter Julia dearly, and they, along with their entire family adored him just the same. He enjoyed traveling and visiting his daughter and son-in-law in places that followed their careers. He enjoyed his large family and celebrating all his nieces and nephews' many accomplishments in life. An aviation enthusiast, Scott obtained his private pilot's license, and enjoyed flying. He loved music, especially the Fredonia Blues Fest, enjoyed history, family genealogy and was an avid reader.
Scott is survived by his wife of 42 years, Larisa, and daughter Julia (Gabe); four brothers Doug (Colleen) of Cassadaga and their daughters Elizabeth, Sarah and son Burton (Sarah); Craig (Laurel) of Fredonia and their sons Mark (Shannon), Dan (Lindsay), Ben (Amy), Nathan (Samantha), & Stephen; Seth of Tully, NY, and son Zach and daughters Lily and Hannah; and Brian (Ann) of Dunkirk and their daughters Kelsey, Lindsey, Sidney, and Gabrielle; sister-in-law Lorraine Koytrko and her daughter Libby MacDougall (Jason); sister-in-law Ksenia Deputat (Zennon) and their sons Myron and Jurji (Kathy). Scott is also survived by 15 great nieces and nephews, whom he cherished.
The family will have a private service to honor his humble wishes and a not-so-private celebration of life on April Fools Day, 2023. In lieu of flowers, a memorial contribution in Scott Aldrich's memory may be made to: Fredonia Fire Dept., 80 West Main Street, Fredonia NY 14063, Ukraine Appeal, UCCA Buffalo, 205 Military Rd., Buffalo, NY. 14207
St Jude Children’s Research Hospital 501 St Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105
On-line condolences may be made at larsontimkofuneralhome.com. Arrangements by David J. Dengler, LARSON-TIMKO Funeral Home.
Upon graduating from Fredonia High School in 1968, he enlisted in the United States Air Force as a cryptology machine technician assigned to the Air Force Communications Service. His service allowed him to excel in using his advanced skills and training in repairing cipher machines used worldwide. His military career took him to South Korea, Germany, Turkey, and England. After completing his enlistment, Scott joined his parents and brother Craig in the family business, Aldrich Dairy. Scott expanded the family business by following his dream of opening an ice cream parlor and family diner restaurant with the farm-to-table concept before it became popular.
For 31 years, Scott enjoyed running Aldrich's Beef and Ice Cream Parlor, where he featured specials such as "sing for your sundae," week-long specials of all-you-can-drink chocolate milk, perfect banana splits, and big burger platters, to name a few. He mastered the art of making premium homemade ice cream which was featured in his restaurant and sold in the family retail stores. Scott enjoyed helping the community with local celebrations and fundraisers, such as his creation of impressive 500-pound sundaes, thought to be the largest in NY State at the time. He used his dry and witty humor to launch his one-day-only special April Fools Day ice cream flavors. For 23 years, he created a media frenzy with crazy flavors such as "beef gravy," "chocolate spaghetti," "bacon and eggs," and "chicken wing" ice cream. It became a special tradition in the Aldrich family, with lines out the door of customers waiting all day long to sample that year’s flavor. He, along with his daughter Julia, were interviewed by radio, TV, and newspaper outlets from all over the country and world, even the Johnny Carson show with Jay Leno featuring some of his wacky creations. Scott always had a warm smile, was a great listener, and had a wonderful sense of humor. As it was often called, Aldrich's was home and family to many so many customers and first-time employees, and some of whom are considered family, especially Gina Hesslink and Terry Spinler.
Scott loved his wife, Larisa, and daughter Julia dearly, and they, along with their entire family adored him just the same. He enjoyed traveling and visiting his daughter and son-in-law in places that followed their careers. He enjoyed his large family and celebrating all his nieces and nephews' many accomplishments in life. An aviation enthusiast, Scott obtained his private pilot's license, and enjoyed flying. He loved music, especially the Fredonia Blues Fest, enjoyed history, family genealogy and was an avid reader.
Scott is survived by his wife of 42 years, Larisa, and daughter Julia (Gabe); four brothers Doug (Colleen) of Cassadaga and their daughters Elizabeth, Sarah and son Burton (Sarah); Craig (Laurel) of Fredonia and their sons Mark (Shannon), Dan (Lindsay), Ben (Amy), Nathan (Samantha), & Stephen; Seth of Tully, NY, and son Zach and daughters Lily and Hannah; and Brian (Ann) of Dunkirk and their daughters Kelsey, Lindsey, Sidney, and Gabrielle; sister-in-law Lorraine Koytrko and her daughter Libby MacDougall (Jason); sister-in-law Ksenia Deputat (Zennon) and their sons Myron and Jurji (Kathy). Scott is also survived by 15 great nieces and nephews, whom he cherished.
The family will have a private service to honor his humble wishes and a not-so-private celebration of life on April Fools Day, 2023. In lieu of flowers, a memorial contribution in Scott Aldrich's memory may be made to: Fredonia Fire Dept., 80 West Main Street, Fredonia NY 14063, Ukraine Appeal, UCCA Buffalo, 205 Military Rd., Buffalo, NY. 14207
St Jude Children’s Research Hospital 501 St Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105
On-line condolences may be made at larsontimkofuneralhome.com. Arrangements by David J. Dengler, LARSON-TIMKO Funeral Home.