Oliver J. Orton

STANFORDVILLE - Oliver J. Orton, 73, a long-time resident of Stanfordville, NY, died Easter Sunday, April 5, 2015 at the Summit Park Long Term Acute Care Hospital in Pomona, Rockland County, NY, following a long illness. He was born on December 10, 1941 in Sharon, CT, to the late John C. and Rose Marie DeCaro Orton.

On July 4, 1982, he married Karen S. Weber at St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church in Millbrook, NY. Mrs. Orton survives at home.

Oliver graduated from Pine Plains Central School and SUNY Albany with a Master's Degree in History. He taught Social Studies in the Red Hook and Pine Plains Central School Districts for 39 years retiring in 2003. He loved teaching the Junior High Students and took them on field trips to the New York State Museum, New York City, and spent a day each year at the Attlebury School House in Stanfordville. He was also the advisor to the Yorker Club at Stissing Mountain Jr.-Sr. High School in Pine Plains and the census recorder for the Pine Plains Central School District for many years.

Oliver was very active in the Stanfordville community. He was a parishioner of the Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church in Bangall and a member of the Stanford Historical Society serving as President from 1991 to 2003. He was integral in the restoration of the Attlebury School House for the country's bicentennial in 1976, and served on the Board to build the Stanford Free Library in 1964. At the time of his death, he was also serving as the Town of Stanford Tax Collector. He enjoyed stamp and coin collecting, reading history books, and completing crossword puzzles.

The Grange was a huge part of Oliver's life. He was a 60 year member of Stanford Grange #808 and served as Secretary for decades as well as Master from 1964 - 1969. He was the Junior Grange Leader of Stanford Junior Grange #414 when they were designated "Junior Grange of the Nation" in 1980. He was also a member of the Dutchess County Pomona Grange, and served as Secretary from 1989 - 2008 and Master from 1971 - 1976. He served as the Director of Junior Grange Activities for the New York State Grange from 1987 - 2006 and Master of the New York State Grange from 2007 - 2011. He enjoyed traveling around New York State visiting and revitalizing Granges. While he was Master of the New York State Grange, he and Karen served as New York's delegates to the National Grange.

In addition to his wife, Oliver is survived by his son, Ryan Orton of Stanfordville, NY, his daughter, Allison Orton of Globe, AZ, sister, Mary Haight (Bruce Griffing) of Cape Coral, FL, aunt, Mary DeCaro, of Union, NJ, mother-in-law, Elizabeth Weber of Bergen, NY, father-in-law, John Weber (Judy) of Pittsford, NY, brothers-in-law, J. Daniel Weber (Gail) of Bumpass, VA, and Donald (Debra) Weber of St. David, AZ, and several nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, and cousins.

Calling hours will be held on Thursday, April 9, 2015, from 3 - 8 p.m. at the Peck and Peck Funeral Home, 7749 South Main Street, Pine Plains, NY. Stanford Grange #808 will conduct a Memorial Service at 7 p.m.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Friday, April 10, 2015, at St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church, 15 North Avenue, Millbrook, NY.

Interment will follow in St. Mary's Cemetery, 64 Hunns Lake Road, Bangall, NY.

Memorial Contributions may be made to the Stanford Grange #808, P.O. Box 108, Stanfordville, NY 12581.

---