Joseph J. "Papa Joe" Nary

Joseph J. “Papa Joe” Nary, 86, of Killbuck, NY, formerly of Hornell, NY died Thursday, May 4, 2017 at his home.

Born October 5, 1930 in Hornell, NY, he was the son of the late John and Elizabeth Kaiser Nary. He was married on December 26, 1969 in Olean, NY to the former Jeanne M. Baldwin, who predeceased him on January 19, 2009.

He was a veteran of the U.S. Army serving in Korea. He re-enlisted in the U. S. Air Force, serving two tours in Vietnam. He was awarded the Airman’s Medal and the Purple Heart.

Mr. Nary was employed as a bartender at the Fieldstone Restaurant in Great Valley, NY. He was previously employed at Dresser, Alcas Cutlery, the Pyramid, and Holiday Valley.

Papa Joe was a volunteer fireman for both Salamanca and Great Valley, was a member of the Salamanca Lions Club, and he enjoyed bowling, fishing, hunting, and gardening.

Surviving are: his children, Kenneth “Skip” (Sharon) Nary, Salamanca, NY, Cindy (Larry) Meyer, Houston, TX, Jay (Liz) Hilsdorf, San Antonio, TX, Jeff Hilsdorf, Dansville, NY, Bernice (Butch) Nary, Rocksann (Jerry) Story, Darlene (Tommy) Crewn, Tommy (Linda) Nary, all of MS; twenty-four grandchildren; twenty-one great-grandchildren; a brother, Robert Nary, Hornell, NY; a sister, Libby Schwartz, Hornell, NY; several nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by three brothers, Jack Nary, George Nary, Richard Nary, and two sisters, Geraldine Nary and Phyllis Slaght.

Friends may call at the O’Rourke & O’Rourke Inc. Funeral Home, 25 River Street, Salamanca, NY on Friday, May 12, 2017 from 4 – 8 p.m.

Funeral services will be held in the funeral home on Saturday, May 13, 2017 at 9 a.m. with his son-in-law, Larry Meyer, officiating.

Burial will be in the Veterans Cemetery in Bath, NY.

Full military honors will be conducted by members of the American Legion Hughes-Skiba Post 535 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars John F. Ahrens Post 5296.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to the Great Valley Fire Company, sendtheword.org, or the donor’s choice.

E-condolences can be sent to john@orourke-orourke.com or posted to facebook.com/onofh.