Grandpa Borden

This is my grandfather ...an amazing man.  I have never missed a person so much.  I have never felt sad so deep in my bones.  My subconscious still waits on sunny afternoons for him to stop in after working in the field.  The boys still talk about him, his tractors and his barn like nothing has happened.  My mind is spinning out memory upon memory. Tears still come without warning --wish someone had given me a warning.

Delano R. Borden 

    

Delano R. Borden , age 68, of 6504 Route 89, Ovid, NY passed away unexpectedly at his home on Thursday, May 12, 2010.

Del was born in Colon, Panama on July 26, 1941, a son of the late Madison and Elsie Borden. At the age of six he moved with his family to Colebrook, CT. He graduated in 1959 from Trumansburg High School, holding many records in baseball and basketball. He received his Master's Degree in Health and Education from Ithaca College. Most of his 33 years of teaching were spent at Trumansburg. As an elementary Phys. Ed. Teacher and a coach, Del went beyond teaching skills, and tried to instill good values and sportsmanship. Del was a hard worker, a dedicated teacher and coach, and a fearless advocate as Teacher's Association President. Following retirement in 1996, he and Kaye moved from their family home in Trumansburg to their present home on Cayuga Lake, and wintered in Punta Gorda, FL.

Besides excelling in sports, Del was a great dancer, had a beautiful singing voice, and enjoyed being in Booster Club plays. After retiring he enjoyed, boating, fishing, and swimming at his cottage. He liked country and Gospel music, camping, and playing cards. Del enjoyed using his backhoe and built many beautiful homes for his family. He loved nature and animals, his kitties, his children and grandchildren, and making family home movies. He was funny and a lot of fun. Del was a faithful Christian and avid Bible student. Most of all, Del was a wonderful husband, brother, uncle, and friend. He was the best father and grandfather a child could ever have.

He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Kaye (Kelley); son, Aaron (Patricia) Borden of Canandaigua; daughter, Laurie (Kenneth) Murray of Trumansburg; grandchildren, Lindsay (Patrick) Mitchell, Jordan (Diana) Murray, Olivia and Elise Murray, Noah, William, and Charles Borden, and great grandchildren, Nolan and Gerret Mitchell; siblings, Charles (Jane Weeks) of Geneva, Joseph (Cheryl) of UT, Mary (Alan) Jamison of Trumansburg, Elsie (Edward) Smolarsky of MD; sister-in-laws, Jean Greenwood of AL, and Ruth (Wayne) Doane of Trumansburg; brother-in-law Douglas Kelley; and numerous nieces and nephews. Del was preceded in death by his brother Page Greenwood and sister, Dorothy Cole. 

The family will receive friends from 3:00- 4:00pm on Saturday, May 15, 2010 followed by a memorial service at 4:00. Both will be held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Pennsylvania Ave. in Trumansburg.

Published in Ithaca Journal from May 13 to May 14, 2010