Floyd Ely

Floyd R. Ely

Age 81, of Hector, NY, died January 7, 2007 peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family, following an extended illness.

The family will receive friends at the Royce-Chedzoy Funeral Home, 212 E. 4th St., Watkins Glen, on Tuesday from 6-8pm. A funeral service will follow at 8:00pm at the conclusion of visitation; Rev. Cynthia Harvey officiating; burial at Hector Presbyterian Cemetery at a later date at the family’s convenience.

Born on March 15, 1925 to Ralph and Ina (Fenton) Ely, Floyd was a lifelong resident of the Hector community and a descendent of one of the first families settling Hector after the Revolutionary War. He was a retiree of Corning Glass Works after 28 years of service in 1972 and from the U.S. Post Office in Burdett, NY after 17 years in 1990.

He will be best remembered as a lifelong fruit farmer and a vendor at the Ithaca Farmers Market for over 25 years. He was known throughout the area for his cherries, peaches, plums and grapes, as well as homemade jams, jellies and grape juice. He was a lifelong member of Hector Presbyterian Church.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Lena (Wray) Ely; four children, Marie (Joe) Baumgardner, and David (Irina) Ely, of Burdett, Mary (David) Moore, of Ithaca, and Margaret (Norman) Ward, of Elmira. He has seven grandchildren, Robert (Andrea) Baumgardner of Barnegat Light, NJ, Joel Baumgardner of Burdett, Adam, Bryant and Kayla Moore of Ithaca, Christopher Ward of San Francisco, CA, and his youngest grandson, Daniel Ely, who brought special joy and brightness in his difficult days; and one great-grandson, Nathaniel Robert Baumgardner. He is also survived by his brother, Albert Ely of Burdett.

Mr. Ely was instrumental in the refurbishing of the former Logan Methodist Church, especially for his work on the steeple. His family, farm and community were his passions and he will always be remembered for his helping hands, gentle smile and true kindness.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests memorials in his memory by made to Southern Tier Hospice, 11751 East Corning Rd., Corning, NY 14830 or Hector Presbyterian Church, PO Box 96, Hector, NY 14841. You may light a candle of support and remembrance for the family at www.Royce-Chedzoy.com.