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Stanley Wagner Obituary
Age 83, died at his home in Lodi on Saturday, June 26, 2010. Bill was born in Elmira in 1927, a son of the late Stanley L. and Alta (Button) Wagner of Caywood. He was trained at Sampson Naval Base, and was a WWII Veteran. A lifelong grape grower, he was known as the founder of Wagner Vineyards Winery, established in 1978. Bill was a respected wine industry innovator and was instrumental in bringing renown to the Finger Lakes as a premium wine producing region. He is further known for establishing the Ginny Lee Café and Wagner Brewing Company, and he remained active in these businesses throughout his life. He is survived by his children, Laura (Bob) Wagner Lee of Watkins Glen, Stephen W. Wagner of Lodi and John L. (Debra) Wagner of Lodi; grandchildren, Ginny, Stephen and Kevin Lee and Ian, Hayden and Adam Wagner; a sister, Marjorie (Milt) Chodack of Virginia, many nieces and nephews, and the mother of his children, Ruth VanVleet Wagner of Lodi. Bill was preceded in death by his sister, Carol Jodka Solometo. The family will receive friends at a Time of Remembrance in celebration of Bill's life on Thursday, July 1, 2010 at Wagner Vineyards from 6:00 to 9:00pm. In lieu of flowers, kindly consider a donation to the Lodi Historical Society, PO Box 279 or the Lodi Fire Department, PO Box 299, Lodi, NY 14860, in his memory. For additional information, please contact Covert Funeral Home 1-877-828-3411 or visit www.covertfuneralhome.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Stanley Wagner
Pat Angelo
July 6, 2010
Dear Bob,Laura,Ginny,Stephen,Kevin and especially "Grandma" I send you all my love and prayers in remembering your dad.
Please send my prayers to your brothers and families laura.
God Bless!
Sister Pat, and Aunt Pat Angelo
Lynne K.
July 6, 2010
My condolences to the family and all at Wagner Vineyards. It's been many years since I last visited, but I have some great memories of Bill and the winery.
July 1, 2010
Laura, Bob and family,
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time. Your dad was a fabulous wine maker. I have fond memories of him and yourself when I worked at Wagner's.
Patricia (Discenza) Nelk
Linda VanCuren
June 30, 2010
John and Deb and family,so sorry for your loss,our prayers are with you. The VanCurens
Mary Ann Kastenhuber
June 30, 2010
Take comfort in knowing that now you have a special guardian angel to watch over you.
Joanne Van Vleet Essick
June 30, 2010
Aunt Ruth, Laura, Stephen & John,
I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. I have fond memories summer vacations at your house, and of visiting the cafe in later years. You and your families are in my thoughts & prayers.
Betsy dreyer
June 30, 2010
Our thoughts and prayers are with you
the Dreyer family
Dave Vanable
June 29, 2010
To the Wagner family - Bill inspired me with his integrity, creativity, work ethic, and desire to do the right thing. While we met through our company printing for Wagners, we developed a friendship through appreciation of things well-made. Bill's picnic table design still graces our backyard, and I think of him often.
To live in hearts that love is not to die.
June 29, 2010
Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of sorrow. Bill was a wonderful person and loved by all. He will be greatly missed.
David & Vicki Updike
Carol "Murphy" Armstrong
June 29, 2010
My deepest sympathy to the Wagner family. We had some great times together growing up. Bill will be sorely missed. I pray that the Lord will comfort you all and give you strength to get through each day.
Nancy (Duthoy) Cramer
June 29, 2010
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.
Maryrose Savino
June 29, 2010
Bill has made his way through the rows of vineyards to a place where the wine is forever flowing. An innovative man for sure, a great lover of what he did for a living and an inspiration to all, that is how he will be remembered. It was a pleasure knowing him, doing business with him and my heartfelt condolences to all his family.
Peggy Ahouse
June 28, 2010
I have so many great memories of the many parties Karl and I had with Bill and Ruth and all the times we sat around the kitchen table when the winery was only a spark in Bill's mind. My condolences to all the family.
June 28, 2010
To the Wagner Family. I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Bill was a wonderful man and always made me feel like family. I will always remember his witty ways and how he swore to having his garlic every day. May all the memories of him bring you some comfort. And know that he is always in your heart. My prayers are with you at this sad time..Donna Sherwood (Ithaca NY)
Pat, Lynn, Joe & Jeff Archambault
June 28, 2010
Our thougths and prayers are with all of you. Bill 's legacy is amazing - three terrific children, grandkids he surely adored, and Wagner Winery, the benchmark for all wineries that followed.
Mike Meleski
June 28, 2010
My thoughts and prayers are with the whole family. Working at the winery helped get me through college and into the business world. In trying to think of a word to describe Bill, no one word really does him justice. But "creative" is one that comes to mind. If he needed something, and he didn't like the quality or price in the market, he'd just design and create it. I remember working for hours on the spot welder putting tops on the metal tables and chairs he created for the cafe'. He really was an innovator both in every day challenges, and in the wine business at large. I wish I could have shaken his hand one more time.
June 28, 2010
To the Wagner family, our heartfelt prayers and thoughts are with today and the upcoming days. Bill was a great man and will be sadly missed by many.
Kevin and Robin (Austin) Aho
Columbus, GA
Lori Updike
June 28, 2010
My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
Laurie Porter
June 28, 2010
Deepest sympathy to the family of Bill,
John you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers...Healing and Light,
Laurie Porter
Michael Updike & Family
June 28, 2010
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all during this very difficult time. Bill was a great man who will forever be missed by all who were lucky enough to have known him.
June 28, 2010
Our sincere condolences go out to you John, Stephen, Laura and Ruth. May God grant you the strength to get through this difficult time. Bill was a remarkable man.
Sincerely,
Deme and John Kavis, Bradenton, Fl.
June 28, 2010
Johan,
What can one say at a time like this? Your father's passing leaves a tremendous void because he was a great man. But there is also a sense of relief and the belief that he is in a better place. Anyone who knew your father would have to agree that he wouldn't wish to remain on this earth in his recently diminished state. Heck, he is probably up in Heaven right now, scribbling to-do lists on scraps of paper and handing out assignments to the angels. He'll have that place shipshape in no time!
Our thoughts and love are with you, Deb, Ian, Hayden, Adam and your entire family at this time.
Love,
Mark, Marianne, Amelia & Anya
Rick Mehlenbacher
June 28, 2010
My most sincerest condolences on the passing of Bill Wagner, He was one of the most amazing men I'd ever had the pleasure to meet and learn from in the wine business. My heart goes out to his family and my thoughts will be with you all for some time to come..
June 28, 2010
My thoughts of sorrow are with you John, sorry to hear of your dad, he was a wonderfull man
Your friend
Colette ( Aman) Furman
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