CANISTEO: Joe D. Ordway, 88, of Greenwood St. passed away Saturday evening (August 13, 2016) at St. James Mercy Hospital with the comfort, love and care of his family surrounding him after an extended illness.
Joe was born February 21, 1928 in Canisteo the son of Harold P. and Eva R. (Bassett) Ordway. On December 27, 1947 in Canisteo he married the former Doris Stiles who predeceased him in May of 2016. He was also predeceased by a great grandson, Otto House, IV, a brother Robert Ordway and two sisters, Elaine Scheider and Gladys Teribury.
Joe was a graduate of Canisteo Central School class of 1946 and returned in 1947 to play one year of post graduate football. He began his law enforcement career in 1950 with the Steuben County Sheriff’s office serving 9 years as a road deputy and 14 years as the UnderSheriff. He was also a 1970 graduate of the FBI National Academy.
In 1971 he was recognized for creating the Criminal Investigation Unit in the Sheriff’s Office and again in 1982 for creating the K-9 Unit. He also served as the Canisteo Police Chief for a number of years with a total of 45 years in law enforcement.
He was a former member and past president of the Canisteo Rotary Club and a member of the former St. Joachim’s Catholic Church in Canisteo. Joe’s other interests included hunting, woodworking and he was an avid and accomplished gardener.
Joe is survived by six daughters: Joy (David) Towner of Gettysburg, Pa., Sally (Steve) Weed, Patricia (Steve) Knapp, Becky (Joe) Baker all of Canisteo, Lisa (James) Ray of Hornell, Jennifer (John Foy) of Canisteo, three sons: Jeff (Kathy) Ordway, Mike (Sally) Ordway and Joel (Linda) Ordway all of Canisteo. He is also survived by 23 grandchildren and 31 great grandchildren, brother-in-law Basil (Lois) Stiles and sister-in-law, Kay McKibben all of Canisteo.
There will be no prior calling hours, the family would like to invite family and friends to a memorial service Thursday at 9:30 am at the H.P. Smith & Son, Inc. Funeral Home, 29 East Main St. in Canisteo. Immediately following the memorial service friends are invited to the Canisteo American Legion for a celebration of Joe’s life. Burial will be in Hillside Cemetery in Canisteo.
Memorial contributions in Joe Ordway’s name may be made to either Steuben Rural Ministries, 34 West Main St. Canisteo, N.Y. 14823 or to the Canisteo Living Sign Project, payable to the Canisteo-Greenwood Central School District, 84 Greenwood St. Canisteo, N.Y. 14823.
Online condolences and memories may be made through the H.P. Smith & Son Funeral Home.
