GREENWOOD: Fay R. Hovey, 85, of Rough & Ready Rd. passed away Saturday (Dec. 26, 2015) at the VA Medical Center in Bath, following a brief illness.
Fay was born August 24, 1930 in Hornell to Lyman and Lena May (VanSkiver) Hovey. On September 27, 1953 in Canisteo he married the former Nora Arlene Caffery who survives and resides in Greenwood. In addition to his parents he was predeceased by a son Robert F. Hovey in June of 1999, four brothers: Elmer, Austin, Dale and Marvin Hovey and one sister: Jean Houghtaling.
Fay was a veteran of the U.S. Army serving our country proudly during the Korean War from 1951-59. He was the owner and operator of the former Body Shop on Groth Rd. in Holley, N.Y., the Greenwood Garage in Greenwood and the Valley Body Shop on the Rough & Ready Rd. for many years. He was a very avid outdoorsman all his life and found great enjoyment and contentment hunting, fishing and trapping with his family and friends. His love and passion for the outdoors eventually lead him into the world of taxidermy work and he also had a fondness for gardening and growing his, own fruits and vegetables. Fay also had a bit of musical talent in playing the guitar, harmonica and he loved to sing. His community involvement included being a member of the Greenwood Vol. Fire Dept., and the Greenwood American Legion.
In addition to his wife of 62 years, Arlene Hovey of Greenwood, Fay is survived by a daughter: Christine Davis (Douglas Griffin) of Cropwell, AL. and three wonderful grandsons: Michael Davis, Brandon (Heather) Davis and Garrett Davis and one great granddaughter: Madison Davis, as well as several nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends for a time of fellowship and sharing memories of Fay from 1-4 pm Saturday, at the H.P. Smith & Son, Inc. Funeral Home, 29 East Main St. in Canisteo. A future graveside service will be announced at a later date and time. Burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery in Greenwood.
Memorial contributions in Fay Hovey’s name may be made to the Greenwood Vol. Fire Dept. and Ambulance, c/o Melissa Waters, 751 Andover St. Greenwood, N.Y. 14839.
Online condolences and memories may be made through hpsmithandsonfuneralhome.com.
