POWNAL – Gordon E. “Gordy” Ware, 80, died Oct. 7, 2008, at his residence, following a long illness. Born in Great Barrington, Mass., on Dec. 8, 1927, he was the son of Kenneth and Edith (Herrick) Ware. He was a graduate of Williamstown High School. A World War II veteran, Mr. Ware served with the U.S. Navy in the South Pacific Theater. He married the former Caroline J. “Connie” Cutler on Sept. 17, 1949, in Williamstown. Mrs. Ware died in July. In earlier years, he was employed at the former Warren Wire in Pownal. He founded Gordy’s Lawn Care Service in 1960 which he operated for the next 20 years. He worked at Union Carbide in Bennington for 13 years until his retirement in 1990. Following retirement, he worked at Taconic Golf Club in Williamstown until the time of his illness. Mr. Ware was a former member of Pownal Rescue Squad and Pownal Center Fire Department and served as the ambulance driver at Green Mountain Race Track in Pownal. He was a member of American Legion Post 13 in Bennington, one of the founding members of American Legion Post 90 in Pownal, and also a member of Richard A. Reuther American Legion Post 152 in Williamstown, VFW Post 1017 in Dunkirk, N.Y., and Mount Greylock Club in North Adams. He enjoyed collecting and working on antique engines. Survivors include two daughters, Gail Deery of Warwick, R.I., and Leslie Messina of Pownal; two sons, Burt of St. Petersburg, Fla., and Kenneth of Bennington; 13 grandchildren and three great-grandsons. Mr. Ware was also predeceased by a son, Francis, and two brothers, Donald and David Ware. The funeral will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 11, at the Sherman Burbank Memorial Chapel, Main Street, Williamstown, with the Rev. Carrie Bail, pastor of Williamstown Congregational Church, officiating. At his request, there will be no calling hours. Burial will take place in Eastlawn Cemetery, Williamstown. Memorial contributions may be made to Pownal Rescue Squad, through the office of the Mahar & Son Funeral Home, 628 Main St., Bennington, VT 05201. Guest book condolences may be made at www.maharandsonfuneralhome.net. View the guest book at rutlandherald.com/obits.

Source:  Rutland Herald (VT) – Thursday, October 9, 2008