Obituary of Gordon Emley

Gordon A. Emley "Loving husband, father, brother and friend" Allegany, NY Gordon A. Emley, 74, of 3461 Celeste Drive, died peacefully Sunday (October 13, 2013) at the Gowanda Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Gowanda after an illness, surrounded by his loving family. Born Jan. 26, 1939 in New Castle, Pa. he was the son of William S. and Shirley Gordon Emley, III. Gordon graduated from New Castle High School in 1957 and attended Allegheny College in Meadville, Pa. He graduated from Youngstown State University in Youngstown, Ohio in 1961. He married Gayle J. Chittick on May 1, 1965 in Hamburg, N.Y. where they lived until 1971. The Emleys moved to Randolph, N.Y. in 1971 and lived there until 1979 when they moved to Olean, N.Y. They have lived in Allegany since 1989. Gordon worked for the Cattaraugus County Department of Social Services as an Examiner for over 20 years until his retirement in 1995. He greatly enjoyed helping others and was often told after he retired that his work had been much appreciated. He was a former member of the First Presbyterian Church in Olean where he served as a Sunday School teacher and a deacon. He later joined the Christ United Methodist Church in Olean. In his retirement years, he worked as a substitute teacher at area schools, delivered meals as a volunteer for Meals On Wheels along with his wife and daughter and he enjoyed helping friends in need. He enjoyed music and could play piano by ear and liked antique cars, reading, history, genealogy, and telling family stories. He especially enjoyed time with family and friends. He is survived by his wife, Gayle, of Allegany; two daughters, Beth Emley of Rochester, N.Y. and Leigh A. (Scott) Cornett of Allegany; a sister, Grace (Ronald) Hutchinson of Augusta, Mich.; a brother, Jonathan (LInda) Emley of Pittsburgh, Pa. and several cousins including Roger (Virginia) Emley, Susan (Tony) Luebbermann, Jane (Ben) Stanton, Jenifer Emley and Betsey Gramer. He was predeceased by his father, William, who died in September 1965 and his mother, Shirley, who died in September 2000. A graveside service was held Monday (October 14, 2013) at 3:00pm at the Allegany Cemetery. Rev. Suzanne Block, pastor of Christ United Methodist Church, officiated. Arrangements are under the direction of the Casey, Halwig & Hartle Funeral Home, Olean. Online condolences may be expressed at oleanfuneralhome.com.