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Gordon P. Carris Sr., age 88, of Ripley, passed on Sunday, August 9, 2026.
He was born on December 29, 1937, in Westfield, N.Y., the son of the late Gerald and Arloween (Bliss) Carris.
Gordon was a member of the Ripley Rod and Gun Club and the Loyal Order of Moose Lodge #118 of Westfield. A longtime resident of Ripley, Gordy was a well-known and highly skilled handyman. Earlier in his career, he worked in masonry and carpentry, skills that remained a part of who he was throughout his life. He later spent many years as a utility worker at Chautauqua Lake Central School before retiring. His talents also included electrical work, plumbing, small-engine repair, and gardening. Outside of his many skills, Gordy enjoyed hunting and fishing, riding his Harley-Davidson, and, most of all, spending time with his family. He cherished the time spent with those he loved and the simple pleasures that brought him joy.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his beloved wife, Annabelle Carris; his daughters, June Jordan Carris and Sonia McGuay; his grandsons, Casey Caron and Kris Lamb; and his brother, Edgar Carris.
He is survived by his son, Gordon (Melissa) Carris Jr. of Sherman; his daughter, Denise Carris of Ripley; his grandchildren, Corey (Amanda) Caron, Nicole (Ernesto) Vazquez, Raymond Gates, Paris (Jammie) Eaton, Stephanie (Andrew) Miller, Jessica (Joshua) Ferl, Dustin Carris, Kimberly Carris, Gabrielle (Tavin) Carris, and Gerald (Emma) Carris; thirty great-grandchildren; twenty great-great-grandchildren; his brothers, James Carris and Larry Carris; his sisters, Geraldine Wilkinson and Marilyn Gilbert; as well as extended family, and countless others whose lives were touched by him.
A man like him does not simply leave behind a family; he leaves behind a legacy. In the stories that will be told for years to come, in the lessons passed down, in the stubborn streaks, the laughter, the love of machines, the gardens planted, and the roads traveled. His life will continue to echo in the people who knew him, in the things they do because of him, and in the moments when his absence is felt because his presence was once so unmistakably large.
Family and friends are invited to celebrate Gordy's life on Saturday, September 5, 2026, from 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm at the Stanley Hose Company Fire Department, 122 Park Street, Sherman, NY. The celebration will begin with a time of prayer and scripture, followed by hors d'oeuvres and light refreshments. Family and friends are welcome to stop by and visit at any time throughout the afternoon.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made in Gordy's memory to the Stanley Hose Company or the Ripley Hose Company #1.