Edward John Gardner

Portville- Edward J. Gardner, of Burnt Hill Road, passed away Tuesday (September 5, 2023) at the Pines Health and Rehabilitation Center in Olean.

Born December 15, 1935, in Portville, he was the son of the late Paul and Lillian Burrows Gardner.  On April 17, 1965, at the former St. Michael’s Church in Westons Mills, he married Patricia Julian, who predeceased him.

Ed was a veteran of the United States Army.  He worked in sales for Farrar’s Trailer Sales, Burdick Trailer Sales, and Bolivar-Magneto. Ed also worked as a bus driver, custodian, and in maintenance for Portville Central Schools.  Later, he worked for the Portville Town and Village until he became disabled in 1983.

He enjoyed gardening and tinkering in his barn.  He also liked to ride around town, check out any construction, and tell a good story to anyone who would listen.

He is survived by three children: Michelle (Peter) Sczudlo of LeRoy, Sean (Lauri) Gardner of Westons Mills, and Christine (Greg) Davis of Cuba; eight grandchildren, Devon (Estefania) Sczudlo, Kearyn Sczudlo, Lindsay Gardner, McKenzie Gardner, Ainslie Gardner, SJ Gardner, Brodie Gardner, and Melody Gardner; three great-grandchildren, Addison Gardner, Saylor Gaines, and Carter Gaines; and one brother William Gardner.

Ed’s family would like to thank the A-wing nursing staff at the Pines Health and Rehabilitation Center in Olean for their kindness and care for their father for the last three months. They would also like to thank the staff at Field of Dreams, where he resided for over a year and provided him with a happy home.  He could not speak more highly of everyone at the facility and was truly happy being there.

Private family graveside services will be held in Allegany Cemetery, Allegany.

Memorials, if desired, may be made to the Kinney Hose Company, PO Box 601, Westons Mills, NY 14788, or to the SPCA, 2944 Route 16N, Olean.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Guenther Funeral Home, Inc., 1303 E. State Street, Olean. Online condolences can be expressed at www.guentherfh.com.