Gordon Blakeslee

Gordon Blakeslee, 87, of Harpursville, went with the angels to be with his Lord and Savior, November 24, 2022 in the company of his family.  He was predeceased by his parents, Robert and Maude Blakeslee, Sr.; wife, Elnora “Pat”; sons, Brian and Todd; sister and brother in-law, Dorothy and John Marecek; brother and sister-in-law, Bob Jr. and Cynthia; and sister, Barbara.  He is survived by his loving family; son and daughter in-law Robert and Candace Blakeslee; four grandchildren, Ciara and Nickolas Troutman; Garrett, Logan, and Braelyn Blakeslee; two great-grandchildren, Alexis and Roman Troutman; nieces, Vickie Hill, Patti Chaffee, Tammy Smith, Shelley and Eric Jensen, Jerri Marecek, Cindy Glass, and Kathy Merril; nephews John Marecek, Robert III, Richard and Wesley Blakeslee; and Michael Chaffee; and many more extended relatives of his family.

Gordon worked for the New York State Department of Transportation Equipment Management Shop for 38 years.  He enjoyed “tinkering” with things and making them last far beyond their mechanical life expectancies.  Replacement of any machine, piece of equipment, appliance, or electronic required a diagnosis of complete loss.  Even with that diagnosis, he often stockpiled items because he never knew when a new tool or part would be available to make necessary repairs.  His beloved lawn mower was one of his coveted machines until it was stolen during the height COVID quarantines.  He maintained that mower so that he could mow his lawn just the way he liked it cut.  Anyone else’s job or mower never seemed to meet his particular needs.

Gordon loved capturing memories at special events.  He always had a camera and would have doubles printed of every photo he took so he could share prints with his family and friends.   He was an amazing listener, and you could tell him anything without fear of judgement, EXCEPT if you wasted money or didn’t get the best price on something that he was capable of finding.

Gordon was a regular fixture and handyman at the Oakland Hotel in Whitney Point under the ownership of his niece, Patti, where patrons referred to him as “Uncle Gordie.”  His drinks of choice in his earlier days were Genesee and coffee.  If you knew “Gordie,” send him a heavenly toast with this classic budget- friendly beer.

Most of all, Gordon treasured time with his family.  Even on his toughest days, he would perk up to try to visit or let you know what wasn’t being done just right.  On his final two days as he was slipping away, the tears falling from his eyes were his last expressions.  A very heartbreaking departure, but we know that his welcome home with his Lord was grander than anything he ever experienced during his time on Earth.

Family and friends are welcome at a graveside service 11:00 a.m., Friday, December 2, 2022 at Glen Castle Rural Cemetery, 413 Castle Creek Road, Binghamton, NY.   In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Gordon Blakeslee Scholarship Fund at Harpursville Central School District, 54 Main Street, Harpursville, NY 13787 for students pursuing training in equipment operation and maintenance.  To forward condolences please visit www.demunn.com . Arrangements for the family are directed by the DeMunn Funeral Home.