Curtis C. Gardner

Curtis C. Gardner, 87, of Cincinnatus, NY, passed away peacefully at his home on Sunday, April 27, 2014, with his family by his side.

Born in Oxford, NY on September 19, 1926, Curtis was the son of the late Glen and Marie Curtis Gardner.  A longtime resident of this area, he was a member of the United Presbyterian Church of Cincinnatus.  He was a 1944 graduate of Cincinnatus Central School and attended Cortland State.  He proudly served in the U.S. Army 532^nd Engineer Boat and Shore Regiment during WWII, where he was stationed in the Philippines and Japan.  He was a 68-year member and past commander of the Knickerbocker American Legion Post #596 and had also previously served as the Cortland County Commander; member of the VFW, Cortland; a life member of the Cincinnatus Fire Department; member of the Cincinnatus Heritage Society; and a former Boy Scout leader.  Prior to his retirement, he worked at Brockway Motors until their closing.  He also worked at Brewer Titchener, Cortland, and the Bennett Hotel, Cincinnatus.

He is survived by his daughter, Gretchen (Steven) Shufelt of Cincinnatus; grandchildren, LeiAnna (George) Beckinghausen of Victor and Lucas (Kristina) Shufelt of Springville; and great-grandchildren, Carlee and Lina Beckinghausen and Kurtis Shufelt.  He also leaves behind a sister, Arlene Hull of Cincinnatus; and several nephews.

His wife, Mary Ethelyn McNally Gardner, predeceased him on January 25, 2013.

A memorial service, with military honors, will be held at the United Presbyterian Church of Cincinnatus on Sunday, May 4, 2014, at 2:00 p.m. with Pastor George Carruth officiating.  Committal prayers for both Curtis and Ethelyn will take place later that afternoon.  The family will be present to receive friends at the church on Sunday from 1:00 p.m. until the start of the service at 2:00 p.m.  Those wishing to remember Curtis are kindly asked to feed the birds in his memory or they may make a donation to the Cincinnatus Fire Department, P.O. Box 427, Cincinnatus, NY 13040 or the Caring Community Hospice of Cortland, 11 Kennedy Parkway, Cortland, NY 13045.