Rusty Cleveland Obituary

Rusty passed away on March 3rd surrounded by his family. The room was filled with love and it was incredibly powerful as a beautiful ceremony was performed in the I.C.U. His son Decker wanted to marry before Rusty went on his journey. The medical staff, lead by a friend of 35 years and coincidentally he was their best man in 1987, all participated with flowers, something blue, borrowed etc. The words spoken and moments shared will forever be cherished and honored.

Rusty came to Durango from Amherst, Mass. in 1972 to help a friend run the Holiday Inn. He met a great group of friends and those friendships continued through the years as he treasured many memories and good times. He started his contracting company, Aspen Builders. They remodeled many Main Avenue restaurants which only long-time residents will remember, such as Crystal Tavern, Lost Pelican, Panhandler Pies, Assay Office, and A'Roma Pizza to name a few.

Rusty became a realtor in 1989 and started a central clearinghouse for rental properties, The Rental Market, that assisted renters in their search as well as assisting landlords and property managers and appraisers. He returned to construction as a superintendent/project manager for the Hillcrest Apartments (Club Durango) project and Westward Manor complex. For the last 6 years, he has been an associate at Walmart and his friends there say they feel honored to have known him.

Everyone knows his favorite collection was any Coca Cola logo item. This made it easy for birthdays, and Christmas presents. He has been described as a very organized hoarder with everything from his tools to his antique collections. He loved to watch a good New England Patriots game. He loved to read and discuss the puzzles of the universe with everyone, to study many different subjects, to learn anything and to see the best in everyone! He enjoyed finding time to landscape and garden at his home of 23 years. He cherished his children.

He lives on through his sons Decker of Portland, OR, Lawrence of Durango and a daughter Calina of Houston, TX, his ex-wife Sandie (Cleveland) Wright of South Carolina, his step sons Jason of Panama City, FL and Peter Clevano of Durango. There will be a Celebration of Life at a later time this summer. Please leave a memory online.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Durango Herald on Mar. 23, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
for Rusty Cleveland

Sponsored by Hood Mortuary - Durango.

9 Entries

August 17, 1968

Bob Rivard

August 14, 2016

I first met Rusty at Chelsea Naval Hospital in 1964. We became fast friends together with Jeff McCormack exploring the world of books and the ideas they contained from Erich Fromm to Jack Kerouac and Ken Kesey, discussed the musical poetry of Bob Dylan, Phil Ochs and Alan Ginsberg. Rusty started us on "a word a day" vocabulary building and stimulated me to read the Atlantic Monthly and Boston Globe editorials during the Vietnam War. Rusty convinced me to attend the University of Massachusetts in Amherst instead of Boston and we shared Dorms and Apartments in Amherst, Northampton and Hadley. He was a great card player and we would have long card games with our landlady an elderly woman who rented out a portion of her home. He introduced me to the game of squash and we had the best of times in friendly competition sharing the joyful exuberance of youth in our College years. He motivated me to join a Theater group on campus, and that is where I met my sweetheart Judy. Rusty was the best man at our wedding.
Rusty was a bright light in my life, open to ideas, honest to a fault who challenged me to open up my mind to the wonder of life and the possibilities that became my future. Rest in Peace my friend.

Jeff McCormack

July 20, 2016

Rusty was a light in my life at a time when I needed it. The light from this candle is for Rusty.

Jeff McCormack

July 18, 2016

Rusty was a cherished friend from Hospital Corps School while we were in the U S Navy Reserve. We served together at the U S Naval Hospital in Chelsea, MA. At that time we bought a TR-3 Triumph sports car, which we and 6 others carried up a short flight of stairs to get it started one cold winter morning. Later we were roommates along with Bob Rivard and several others at a house in Hadley, MA after being discharged from the Navy. At that time I went to Smith and Rusty went to U Mass. I have thought of him many times over the years. He added joy to my life with his enthusiasm and great humor. I miss him a great deal. Love to his family.

Sally Silva

March 28, 2016

Sandie, Decker, Calina, Jason and Peter, I am so very sorry to hear of Rusty's passing. I have fond memories of seeing him...driving down Main with all his babies in the truck with him! He was so very proud and happy with his family. He once saved my life many moons ago. I will always hold a special place in my heart for him! My heart and prayers are with all of you, Sally Silva

Bob & Judy Rivard

March 27, 2016

Our condolences to Rusty's family. We were part of the caravan from Amherst to Durango where Rusty stayed with new found friends. Rusty was also our best man at our wedding on Aug 17, 1968. Bob knew him from Navy days. We stayed in the Amherst area and his family are always welcome.
Sending our love~

Chris Perkins

March 25, 2016

I am very sorry for your loss. Rusty was an amazing man. Always a kind word and a huge smile. Please know my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family Decker !

Ann Perkins-Parrott

March 24, 2016

I am saddened by the loss of Rusty for myself and his family, but at the same time I remember him and all of you with such love and laughter that I smile through my own tears. His smile will always be in my heart and my love goes with you wherever you travel.

carmella olguin

March 23, 2016

To the family of Rusty Cleveland sorry for your loss of your loved one. We will miss seeing him running that buffer at the store to make those floors shine just like his smile.

March 23, 2016

I am so sorry to here of Rusty's passing. I worked with him at the Holiday Inn. Our thoughts and prayers go out to you his family. Loreta and family

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