Wayne Edward Amidon, Jr.

Born in Syracuse, New York on September 22, 1942- a war baby- Wayne Edward Amidon, Jr. familiarly known as “Buster” left this world on March 4, 2024 in Frederick, Maryland. Buster spent his formative years in the regions of Cardiff and Lafayette, New York, attending the Lafayette Central Schools. In 1952, Wayne contracted Polio, crediting his grandmother Claire Burt with his full recovery. She spent countless hours exercising his limbs and encouraging him to walk. After a tragic fire consumed the family home, the Amidon family temporarily relocated to one end of a chicken coop on his uncle Paul Burt’s farm. They stayed until a new home was constructed on Route US-11 South in Lafayette. Wayne graduated from Lafayette High School in 1960 and attended Morrisville Agricultural College. In 1963, Wayne married Sharlene LaNeve. Sharlene and Wayne were blessed with three daughters. Sharlene predeceased Wayne. He was employed for 33 years by Carrier Corporation, the renown air conditioner manufacturer where he was a test run assembler, retiring in 1988. Wayne served his Lafayette community as a school bus driver and volunteer fire fighter while also helping out the family on their potato farm. Wayne married again in June of 1989 to Kathleen Forian. Together, they founded Amidon’s Nursery and Christmas Tree Farm. He spent many years after retirement from Carrier working at Shanahan’s Tractor. Tiring of the harsh winter conditions of upstate New York, Kathy and Wayne moved south to Frederick, Maryland. Shortly thereafter, he was diagnosed with head and neck cancer and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. Wayne is survived by his adoring wife, Kathleen and their devoted children; Julie Coddington (Karl) Of Candor, NY, Steve Forian of Towson, MD., Margaret Rhinehart (Craig) of Mt. Airy, MD., Melissa Graves of Land-o-lakes, FL. As well as fifteen grandchildren and five greatgrandchildren. Wayne is also survived by very dear family friends, Mary and Shawn Darrow and their children and grandchildren. He is the son of the late Wayne Edward Amidon, Sr. and his late mother Viriginia Burt Amidon. He is predeceased by his brother, James, a daughter Kelly Bourgeois and son Andrew Forian as well as granddaughter Payton and grandson Alec Forian. A man of incredible work ethic, he was a superior role model for his children who meant everything to him. In lieu of flowers, please make memorial contributions to: UMMS Foundation 110 South Paca Street, 9th Floor Baltimore, MD 21201 410-328-5770 | umms-foundation@umm.edu A Memorial Mass will be offered 10:00 a.m. on Saturday April 6, 2024 in St. Joseph of the Nativity Catholic Church, 6104 US-20, Lafayette, NY 13084 where he will be interred in Lafayette Rural Cemetery.