Russell James "Rusty" Harp, 50, of Red Jacket Parkway, Buffalo, formerly of Forestville and Mayville, died suddenly Friday, November 17, 2017 at TLC/HN-Lake Shore Hospital in Irving. He was born in South Buffalo on February 16, 1967 -- the third son and seventh child of David E. Harp of Forestville and the late Mary Ann (Campion) Harp -- during a howling windstorm.
Russell moved to Forestville at a young age and was a willing recipient of sweet snacks, especially Ho-Hos, wherever he went. Mr. Harp was a graduate of Forestville Central School, Class of 1985. He worked as a toll collector for the New York State Thruway Authority for several years at the Tappan Zee Bridge in Westchester County before transferring to Mayville and becoming the manager for the Ripley Toll Booth for over 10 years.
Mr. Harp was currently the Manager of the Lackawanna Toll Plaza. He has worked for the Thruway Authority for 25 years. He was an extremely proud, fun and supportive father of Sarah Catherine Harp of Westfield, whom he enjoyed attending Sabres games with.
Surviving, besides his daughter, are seven sisters, Cathy Kaicher, Margaret "Peggy" (Doug) Prince, Mary (Ronald) Brennan, Sandy (Steve) Muck, Barb (Michael) Shields, Beth Miller and Becky Harp; and two brothers, Frank (Marla) Harp and Kevin (Jennifer) Harp. Also surviving is Sarah's mother, Peggy VandeVeld; and he was the favorite uncle to 17 nieces and nephews. Besides his mother, he was predeceased by an infant sister, Anne Harp; and a nephew, Nicholas Muck.
Friends are welcome to call at the Riles & Woolley Funeral Home, 39 Main Street, Forestville on Monday, November 20 from 2:00-4:00 PM and 7:00-9:00 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Tuesday, November 21 at 10:00 AM from Our Lady of Mt. Carmel RC Church, 165 Central Avenue, Silver Creek, with Rev. Daniel Fiebelkorn, pastor, officiating. Interment will follow in Smith Mills Cemetery, Town of Hanover. Please meet at the church.
The family suggests memorials may be made to The Christian Appalachian Project, PO Box 55911, Lexington, KY 40555-5911; or online at www.christianapp.org.
To post condolences, go to www.rilesandwoolleyfuneralhome.com.
