Massena: David W. VanOrnum, of East Orvis Street, passed away peacefully, Wednesday (Feb. 8, 2017) evening at his home surrounded by his loving family. A private service for family and friends will be held at the Phillips Memorial Home, Massena with Rev. Racheal Jorden officiating at the convenience of the family. A Celebration of Life for David will be held 2:00 P.M. Saturday (February, 18, 2017) at the Massena Rod & Gun Club at 155 Patterson Rd, Massena, NY. Burial will be held in the spring at Riverside Cemetery in Gouverneur, NY.
David was born to the late Weldon and Lois (Upoff) VanOrnum on December 21, 1942 in Pittsfield, MA. David was a 1961 graduate of Gouverneur High School. He began work at the Gouverneur paper mill while attending Canton A.T.C for a short time. David married Betsy Burrel on May 16, 1970 at the First Congregational Church in Ogdensburg, NY with Rev. Blanchard officiating. David soon began his 34 year career at ALCOA, where he retired as Shift Supervision Ingot Dept. in 2000. In his spare time, David was very active in the Massena Rod & Gun Club. In December of 2002, David was elected as a director, he also started the Tuesday Morning work crew, which he enjoyed immensely. With sharing donuts, conversation, work detail and adding lots of comradery to the company he kept. Shooting pistols and rifles were his greatest joy. He was a proud American who believed in the constitution and firm advocate of the Second Amendment. He would enjoy yearly trips with his wife Betsy to Gettysburg, VA visiting Civil War Battle sites, as known by many to be a huge Civil War enthusiast. David belonged to the Massena Pistol Club, and also the coordinator of the Annual gun show held at the Massena Rod & Gun Club, as for the many that knew David, the Rod & Gun Club was his “second home”. An avid hunter and true marksman, David also belonged to the Long Sault Rangers and Northern NY Muzzleloaders Club.
David is survived by his loving wife of nearly 47 years, Betsy, their son Darren D. (Rebecca) VanOrnum of Richville, NY, and daughters Marney VanOrnum and companion Jason Francis of Massena, Michelle (Frank) Thompson of Myrtle Beach, SC, and step-daughter Rebecca and Clifford Booth of Baltimore, MD.
He is also survived by a brother Arthur Houghtaing of Monroe Bridge, MA and sisters Jane Tetreault of North Adams, MA, and Louise and William Sherman of Clarksburg, MA, along with 9 grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. David was predeceased by his parents, a son Ryan W. VanOrnum in 1975, a brother Thomas Houghtaing, a sister Joan Duquette and birth mother Helen Houghtaing.
In lieu of flowers, at the family’s request, donations and memorial contributions can be made in David’s name to the Massena Rod & Gun Club 300-yard range project; P.O. Box 353, Massena, NY 13662. Online condolences and memories may be shared with the family by visiting www.PhillipsMemorial.com