ELLICOTTVILLE, N.Y. — Howard T. Gifford, 68, of Ellicottville, N.Y., passed away Friday, Aug. 31, 2018, in Jamestown, N.Y.

He was born Jan. 19, 1950, in Gowanda, N.Y., the son of the late Willard Gifford and Helen (Cross) Gifford who survives.

On Oct. 12, 1974, he married the former Carol J. O’Brien, who predeceased him on April 19, 2018.

Mr. Gifford was a longtime police officer in the town of Ellicottville, N.Y. He was a Ellicottville police officer from 1974 to 2014, and he also served as constable for the village of Ellicottville, NY from 2002-14.

He was a U.S. Air Force veteran having served during the Vietnam era. Mr. Gifford had owned and operated The Village Photographer in Ellicottville, N.Y., and was a member of the Ellicottville American Legion. He was an avid trap shooter and a member of the Ellicottville Sports- man’s Club.

Besides his mother, he is survived by two sisters: Linda (Brian Countryman) King of Prescott, Wis., and Ruth (Bill) Brown of Erie, Pa. Also surviving are two nephews: Brian and Timothy King; and a great- nephew, Jason King and great-niece, Freya King.

Friends may call on Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2018, from 3-5 p.m., at Mentley Funeral Home Inc., 411 Rock City St., Little Valley, N.Y.

Funeral services and military honors will be held Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2018, at 5 p.m., from the Funeral home.

Burial will be in Holy Cross Cemetery in Ellicottville, N.Y.

Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society or the American Heart Association.