44°
MAMARONECK, N.Y. Russell G. Pelton, former Mamaroneck town justice and longtime Mamaroneck resident, died June 21. He was 97.
Pelton was born to William and May Pelton in Sackett Lake, N.Y. on July 23, 1914. He grew up in Monticello, N.Y., where he was successful running track. Pelton was awarded a four-year athletic scholarship to Syracuse University, where he lettered in cross country and track. He graduated in 1935 with a degree in electrical engineering.
In 1940, Pelton married Marion Gosart of Bridgeport, Conn. He worked for the Signal Corps in Washington, D.C., developing wireless radio communications for the military from 1941 to 1945. Pelton graduated from George Washington University Law School in 1944.
He later moved to Mamaroneck and served on the Rye Neck school board, Mamaroneck Zoning Board of Appeals and the auxiliary police force. He was also active in the Boy Scouts. Pelton practiced patent law at Darby and Darby in New York City for 11 years. In 1956, he joined North American Philips Corporation, where he served as senior vice president and became executive vice president of the U.S. division in 1968.
Pelton was elected Mamaroneck town justice in 1970, a position he held for 16 years. He was an active member of the ethics committees of the New York State and Westchester County Bar associations. Pelton was also a member of the state and county magistrates associations, American Bar Association, Patent Law Association and Practicing Law Institute, as well as a mediator for the American Arbitration Association.
Well-known for his baritone singing voice, Pelton participated in choirs in many local churches. He was a member of the Winged Foot Gold Club since 1957 and was active in the U.S. Golf Association, Metropolitan Golf Association and Westchester Golf Association as a golf official.
Pelton is survived by a son, William Pelton, of New York; a daughter, Marilyn Pelton Barringer, of Arizona; five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his wife, Marion; and a daughter, Marjorie Pelton.
Calling hours are from 3 to 7 p.m. Sunday at John J. Fox Funeral Home in Larchmont. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at Larchmont Avenue Presbyterian Church. Burial will follow at Rock Ridge Cemetery in Monticello.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Monticello, 11 Jones St., Monticello, NY 12701.
Click here to follow Daily Voice Mamaroneck and receive free news updates.
