Rexford "Rex" Waddington III, 76, of Emporium, PA passed away at Guy & Mary Felt Manor, Emporium, PA on Monday morning (May 20, 2024) where he resided following a series of strokes. He was born February 6, 1948 in Port Allegany, PA, the son of the late Rexford Waddington, Jr and Mary Ann (Seyler) Waddington. He was his mother's whole world. She lived with and devoted her entire life to him. He was nicknamed "Sonny" and she was his "Hazel" because she took such good care of him. Rex was an honor roll student and a graduate of Cameron County High School, Class of 1966. Up until his stroke in 2020, he lived his entire life in his childhood home at 529 Sizerville Road, apart from when he served for the United States Marines. He was a member of many of our churches in town, especially when one was serving a free meal because we all know how much Rex loved to eat! He and his tab were infamous at The Buttonwood since it was right down the street from his home. In particular, he loved butterscotch sundaes, fruit, picnic food, and his mom's Thanksgiving dinners and hot apple pies. He had quite the sweet tooth! He also loved to frequent the Senior Center at lunchtime where he'd fellowship with others. He was a social butterfly with a childlike innocence and a heart of gold, whose main desire in life was to make people smile and to make friends. It was so important to him to be liked by everyone.
Rex had worked various jobs in Emporium, including 12 years at the Cameron County Courthouse running the recycling center and 20 years at the Little League Baseball Field working for Glen Fiebig. He was mostly known around town for his devotion to collecting garbage bags full of everyone's bottles and cans and then paying someone (or anyone) to take them to the big recycling centers out of town. It was more about the social encounters he experienced gathering them than the money. He loved Cameron County, and in 2019, he even ran for County Commissioner professing: "I will do my best to help people in Cameron County in general." He was a man of his word and he was dependable and honest.
Rex was "quite the hunk" and a superstar athlete in his day...just ask him. Seriously though, he was great on the baseball field and especially on the basketball court. Many of his classmates remember that time in his life. He loved sports. He enjoyed faithfully watching his favorite teams, the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Pittsburgh Steelers. They were often a topic of conversation with his precise recollections of team scores, stats, and players. His memory was impeccable and he was highly intelligent. He had a brilliant mind. If you wanted to know something, Rex was your source of information. He was known for his storytelling and his desire to make people laugh with his one-liners or jokes (as inappropriate as they may have sometimes been). Rex was witty and known to always laugh at his own jokes. And he was especially known for his gossip....he knew everything as it was happening or even before it happened. Many in town would receive numerous phone calls daily with his latest "news." He loved to talk on the phone, but then he'd suddenly end the conversation, only to call back again! He was Emporium's social media before social media existed! He was on to something.
Rex often called himself "Sexy Rexy," and he had a flirtatious nature about him that most came to love and expect. Although he never married, he must have asked half the ladies in town: "When are we getting married?" Then, he would joke with them to have his child, "Rex Waddington the IVth!" He enjoyed frequenting Olivett's grocery store, grabbing a hoagie and Pepsi, and flirting with the cashiers. Then, he'd people-watch on the bench out front and probably ask you for a ride downtown or home. He would tell you about how he was a professional hitchhiker back in the day. He loved making his daily rounds about town, visiting local businesses and talking with everyone. When he still drove, he was infamous for asking: "You want a piece of gum, go for a ride?" At one time, he loved to take friends to Mister Donut or other establishments in St. Marys, like The Wizard. He loved hanging with Fast Eddie while he'd DJ at the Buttonwood, where Rex was known to howl to "Werewolves of London." He loved his home and all of his collectibles. He loved to feed the wild animals in his backyard, even if the neighbors hated it. He loved the sun! He would bask on his back porch all day, practically in his birthday suit, and then he'd always compare and show you his awesome tan. At one time, he loved to take photos and he kept a collection of everyone in town, especially their Senior portraits (when that was a thing to do.) He was a friend to everyone. He loved to give people gifts, cards, or money on their birthdays to let them know they were important. He was old school in that way, traditional.
Rex was definitely a character and a kind soul. He was "an institution in himself" who always had a quick smile for everyone. He has been referred to as a "Legend," a town icon, a staple, and a "piece of living history" in his hometown of Emporium. He was the "Mayor of Emporium...the Man, the Myth, the Legend." He left a lasting impression on everyone he met. Almost everyone has some funny and outlandish "Rex stories, jokes, or memories" to tell and reflect on. He loved attention and his distinctive, stuttering laugh was one none of us will ever forget. All he ever wanted was to be liked, and in the end, he was truly loved ...I hope he knew that.
He is survived by his nieces, Lisa Jo Nicolo and Lori Ann Hetrick, and nephew, Daniel Michael Belk, as well as many great nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Brenda Jean (Waddington) Nicolo.
There will be no visitation. The family plans to have a Celebration of Life at a later date where all will be welcomed. Burial was in Newton Cemetery, Emporium, PA.
Online Condolences may be placed at www.BarnettFuneralHome.net
BARNETT FUNERAL HOME, Inc. entrusted with arrangements.
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