CHICHESTER-Paul E. Ordway, 88, passed away Friday morning September 16, 2016 at the Harris Hill Center in Concord, NH after an extended period of declining health. He was born at Concord Hospital on October 24, 1937, the eldest of five sons with Mary Frances (Kelley) Ordway as his mother and Dean Everett Ordway for his dad. He was a lifelong resident of Chichester.
He attended Chichester grade schools and then Pembroke Academy, graduating in the Class of 1946. He went on to study at Concord Commercial College in Concord, NH. He then started his life’s career at Concord National Bank rising from messenger boy to Senior Vice President. He was in charge of commercial mortgages for the bank and worked there for 38 years.
During his earlier lifetime Paul traveled extensively throughout Europe.
He enjoyed many special fishing trips, catching the big ones and not letting many get away, in the Northwest Territories, Alaska, Labrador and the Canadian Eastern Provinces. And of course coming home with even bigger fish tales! But few fishermen could boast more than his biggest catch of a lifetime, a 26 lb. Atlantic salmon. He took his brothers along sometimes also.
For many years he enjoyed his summer months living at his camp in Gilmanton Ironworks on the shores of Crystal Lake and commuting to Concord to work in the mornings. Paul and his brothers built the camp themselves in 1967-1969. Many family holiday outings were enjoyed there also.
Although he had limited physical abilities for most of his life he stayed strong and endured much. He gardened for years and maintained an orchard with apples, pears and plums there at his residence in Chichester.
He always enjoyed the companionship of his special dogs, Tootsie, Beulah, Misty and Peanuts.
He was involved with many organizations including the Masons where he was the Treasurer for 20 years; a Shriners member; a Lions Club member in Concord; Centennial Home of Concord Treasurer; Blue Cross – serving on the Board of Directors; NH Association for the Blind served as Treasurer and was on the Board of Directors; Chichester Telephone Company served as Vice President for many years (now TDS); Chichester Historical Society and Chichester Grange, often times holding offices. He served on various boards at New England College in Henniker, NH; New Hampton School in New Hampton, NH; and last, but not least, at home, he was always known to his family as demanding respect for being “the Chairman of the Board” even though it was not always accepted favorably by his mother!
Paul was predeceased by his mother in 2006; his father in 1953; brother, Dana Sr. in 2010; little brothers, Harry in 1931 and Floyd in 1937.
His family members include his youngest brother, Gary Ordway and wife Judy of Poland, ME; sister in law, Carol Ordway of Chichester; nieces, Donna Corney and husband, Dana, Cathy O’Mara and husband, Travis, Heidi Hutchins and husband, Corey, Cindy Kearney and husband, Bub; nephew, Dana Ordway, Jr; great-nieces, Caity and Cassie Kearney, Rose Corney, Allison and Margaret Ordway; great nephews, Chase and Cole Hutchins, Pat, Tyler and Trevor O’Mara, Joe Corney and Jon Ordway; a special lifetime friend, Herb Rothwell of Largo, FL who enjoyed annual summer visits to NH and to that Ordway camp in Gilmanton Ironworks. Other special friends include Tim and Joan Young of Pittsfield, NH.
Per Paul’s request, there will be no calling hours or services.
If one wishes to donate it should be to the Concord Regional Visiting Nurses Association, 30 Pillsbury St. Concord, NH 03301, who helped Paul live at home by himself.
We would like to especially thank the 3rd floor staff at Harris Hill Center on Maitland Ave. for treating Paul so kindly during his stay there.
Arrangements are entrusted to the Bennett Funeral Home of Concord.
Messages of condolence may be offered at www.bennettfuneral.com
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