Paul D. Gordy, Sr.

Paul D. Gordy, Sr., 77, of Snow Hill, died Sunday, June 19, 2011at Coastal Hospice at the Lake in Salisbury. He was born August 23, 1933 in Salisbury, a son of the late Walter D. and Ella Cottingham Gordy. In 1952 Paul enlisted in the US Air Force and honorably served his country until his discharge in 1956. He was an active member of the American Legion, Worcester Post 67 in Snow Hill, where he held many offices and served as County Commander of the American Legion. He was a proud member of the funeral honors team and was honored to fold and present American flags to many veteran’s families at graveside services across the lower shore. In his earlier years he studied to become one of the best automobile air conditioning mechanics on the shore. He worked many years for Powell Motors, as well as various other companies. He also worked as a school bus driver for a number of years, a job he thoroughly enjoyed. Law enforcement was another interest of Paul’s and he retired as a Deputy Sheriff in 1995 after 14 years with the Worcester County Sheriff’s Department. He was a very active member of the Snow Hill Community where memberships included Bates Memorial United Methodist Church, the Explore Troop of the Boy Scouts of America, the Snow Hill Trap Club and the Worcester County 4-H Club, where he taught Hunter Safety and was a rifle club instructor. Paul was a wonderful and very meticulous woodworker and enjoyed building furniture and model sailboats. He had a love for airplanes, stemming from his time in the US Air Force. Paul was also an excellent baker and was well known for his sponge cake. He baked many a cake for church dinners, birthdays, funerals and sick friends. He is survived by his wife of almost 58 years, Anna Louise “Polly” Gordy; a daughter, Patricia G. Barbely and her husband, James C. of Newark, MD; a son, Paul Dennis Gordy, Jr. of Salisbury; 2 grandsons, James Robert Barbely and John Adam Barbely, both of Newark; a great granddaughter, Kayla Belle Eck; 2 sisters, Laura G. Adkins and her husband, Lloyd of Snow Hill and Mary G. Chase of Fruitland; and a brother, Richard C. Gordy and his wife, Alice of Eden. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Louise McGrath. A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, June 22, 2011 at 1:00 p.m. at Bates Memorial United Methodist Church in Snow Hill, where family and friends may call from 12:00 to 1:00. Interment with military honors will follow at Bates Memorial Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made in his memory to American Legion, Worcester Post 67, P.O. Box 161, Snow Hill, MD 21863, Coastal Hospice, P.O. Box 1733, Salisbury, MD 21802 or Bates Memorial United Methodist Church, c/o Debra Hambrick, 402 S. Morris Street, Snow Hill, MD 21863. Arrangements are in the care of Short Funeral Home, Delmar. For friends and family that wish to send online condolences to the family, please visit www.shortfh.com

Paul D. Gordy, Sr.

August 23, 1933 - June 19, 2011