Charles R. Elmore

1923 - 2019

Charles R. Elmore
October 19, 1923 - February 9, 2019
Sparrowbush, NY
Mr. Charles R. Elmore of Sparrowbush, NY and a lifetime resident of the area died Saturday, February 9, 2019 at Bon Secours Community Hospital, Port Jervis. He was 95.
He was born October 19, 1923 in Pond Eddy, NY the son of the late Floyd C. Elmore and the late Aleta E. Cuddeback Elmore.
Charles was married for 53 years to Vera Mae Batchler prior to her death on December 6, 1998.
He was a proud veteran of the U.S. Army during World War II and was a life member of the Roosa Fleming VFW Post # 161 in Port Jervis. Charles was Awarded the American Service Medal, Asiatic Pacific Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal and World War II Victory Medal. Charles was an Ambulance Driver and Medic in the Pacific Theater.
Charles drove a Truck for his father's coal delivery business, Floyd Elmore Coal in Sparrowbush and also worked for Gillinder Glass and Kolmar Labs both in Port Jervis.
Charles was a lifetime member of the Sparrowbush United Methodist Church where he served on several committees including the C&M Builders of the Church. Charles was a member for 59 years with the Sparrowbush Engine Company, 56 Years Active, 50 Years as Fire Commissioner and Port Jervis Volunteer Ambulance Corp. He was a lifetime member of Orange County Volunteer Fire Police Association, The Volunteer Fire Police Association of the State of New York, The Fire Chief's Association of Orange County and The Fireman's Association of the State of New York. Charles held every position including Fire Warden, Fire Inspector and has the record for the most calls answered in the Sparrowbush Fire Department and was a multi-time recipient of the SBEC Call Club. He was also the 2016 Recipient of the Donald Shield's Jr. Lifetime Achievement Award.
A family statement read: Charlie was a humble man who always put God, country, public service and family as his primary focus. He was a quiet man who was set in his ways and proved to us all what tenacity and hard work are capable of achieving in life. He was a beloved friend, father, grandfather and great grandfather. His legacy will not be something we can replace. Charlie was a gentle man with heart of gold. His love for the community was only shadowed by the love for his wife of 53 years, Vera Mae. Answering fire calls well into his 90's was a vivid and constant reminder of what dedication and compassion he held for the community which he helped build just because it was the right thing to do. When approached in 2016 for receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award he was upset because he was convinced that someone else deserved it more than he did. Charlie was a singular angelic presence and his quiet, loving, stubbornness will be vastly missed for us all.
Surviving are: seven grandchildren: Floyd Elmore, Roland Elmore, Dawn Amato, Richielynn Bridge, Annalissa Mellan, Penne Bauder and Jenny Mellan and 12 great-grandchildren: Katelynn Bridge, Mathew Bridge Jr., Audrey Mellan, Michael Mellan, A.J. Amato, John Amato Jr., Nicholas Amato, Sarah Bauder, Hannah Bauder, Faith Bauder, David Mellan Jr., Nicole Mellan.
Also several nieces and nephews
Predeceased his daughter, Patricia Ann Stevens and his son, Roland T. Elmore; three predeceased brothers: Albert W. Elmore, J. Richard Elmore and Walter James Elmore; two predeceased sisters: Ella Alberta Elmore-Cruz and Lorraine Elmore
Friends may call at the Gray-Parker Funeral Home, Inc., 100 East Main Street Port Jervis on Thursday, February 14, 2019 from 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM followed by funeral services at 2:00 PM at the funeral home with Pastor Amy Garrett officiating.
Burial with military honors will be at Pine Hill Cemetery, Sparrowbush, NY.
Memorial contributions may be made to Sparrowbush Fire Dept., 79 Main St., Sparrowbush, NY 12780
Funeral arrangements are by the Gray-Parker Funeral Home, 100 E. Main St., Port Jervis, NY 12771 845.856.5191 For additional information, directions or to send a condolence note to the family visit www.grayparkerfuneralhome.com