Ronald V. Ordway, Sr. 90 of Natick, died Friday, March 21, 2014 at the Metro West Medical Center in Natick surrounded by family.
He was the beloved husband of Nora M. (Gagnon) Ordway sharing 71 years of marriage.
Born in Natick and a lifelong resident he was the son of the late Truman and Helen (Doyle) Ordway.
Mr. Ordway was an Engineer for the Gulf Oil Company retiring in 1989
The Town of Natick dedicated the 2006 Annual Report in Ron’s honor citing him as the “consummate volunteer, always lending a hand to those in need”.
For over 70 years Ron was involved in service to his Community, Church, and Country, neighbors, friends and family. He was a Natick Town Meeting member for 33 years, Board Member of the Natick Parks and Recreation for 51 years, member of the Council on Aging and dedicated to the Meals on Wheels program. He was on the New Senior Center Committee; Served on the Natick Fourth of July Committee, Cable Advisory Committee, the Commission on Disability, and the Town Charter Commission. Mr. Ordway served on the Safety Committee for 27 years, and was appointed the Temporary Sealer of Weights and Measures in 1987.
Mr. Ordway was appointed in 1986 by U.S. Senator John Kerry and Representative Edward Markey as Massachusetts “Silver Haired Senator” to the National Silver Hair Congress which meets yearly in Washington D.C.
In 2008 Ron and Nora were named Town of Natick Grand Marshalls of the Natick Fourth of July Parade
Ron and his wife Nora have been committed to the American Red Cross, each donating over 20 gallons of blood and continued to make platelet donations.
Mr. Ordway was a World War II veteran serving in the European Theater. For heroic achievement in military operations against the enemy in Kapfelberg Germany on April 26 1945 he was awarded the Bronze Star and Purple Heart.
In addition to his wife he is survived by 9 children Alan J. Ordway of Lenoir City TN, Helen Olson and her husband Mark of S. San Francisco CA, Nora A. Ordway of Kennebunk ME, Ronald V. Ordway, Jr. and his partner Susan Trust of Hudson, James Ordway and his wife Deborah of Natick, Lester Ordway and his wife Susanne of Standish ME, Richard D. Ordway, Sr. and his wife Cheryl of Walpole, David Ordway and his wife Christine of Natick, Kevin Ordway and his wife Barb of Natick, 20 grandchildren, Deborah Price and her husband Tim of Templeton CA, Rebecca Preston and her husband Bradley of Maryville TN, Stacey Gagnon and her husband Shawn of Hollis ME, Patrick Ordway and his wife Patty of Old Orchard ME, Dennis Ordway of Hollis ME,Lisa Ordway of Saco ME, Alexandra , Richard Jr.,Matthew, Samantha Ordway, all of Walpole, Kathleen Aubut and her husband Mark of Halifax, Ron V Ordway III, Jennifer Ordway, Jessica Ordway and her husband Dan, Jamie Ordway and her husband Jason, Lauren, Thomas, Kevin, Veronica, and Jack Ordway, all of Natick, 19 great-grandchildren, sisters in law Jeanne C. Ordway and Loretta Ordway of Natick, and many nieces and nephews.
He was also the brother of the late Truman, George, William, Harold, Francis and Albert Ordway, father –in- law of the late Tom Theurer and Donna Ordway.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend the funeral on Wednesday, March 26th at 9:00 A.M. from the John Everett and Sons Funeral Home, 4 Park Street at Natick Common, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Patrick’s Church at 10:00 A.M.
Visiting hours are Tuesday from 4:00 to 8:00 P.M.
Interment St Patrick Cemetery.
Expressions of sympathy may be made in his memory to the Ronald V. Ordway, Sr. Scholarship Fund, ? Natick Recreation Department, 179 Boden Lane, Natick, MA 01760.