Gordon E. Wilkinson, 87, of Oneida

ONEIDA>> Gordon E. Wilkinson, 87, Beacon Light Road, died early Tuesday, March 28, 2017, in the Oneida Healthcare Center, where he had been admitted earlier as a medical patient.

Born in Canastota, on Nov. 26, 1929, he was a son of Ray H. and Carolyn Graves Wilkinson. A lifelong resident of the area, Gordon was a graduate of Canastota High School and Morrisville College. He married Dorothy Valerio in Canastota on Aug. 24, 1951.

Prior to his retirement with 34 years of service, Gordon was employed with the New York State Thruway Authority. He was a member of the United Church of Canastota and the Wampsville Fire Department, where he was a life member and past fire chief, and enjoyed fishing, hunting, golfing and archery.

Surviving besides his wife, Dorothy, are his daughter and son-in-law, Brenda and John Best of Durhamville; his three sons and daughters-in-law, Norman E. and Kris Wilkinson of Longwood, Fla., Dale G. and Dolly Wilkinson of Apopka, Fla. and Timothy R. and Kimberly Wilkinson of La Vista, Neb.; six grandchildren, Brian Best, Adam Best, Derek Cavilla, Dennis Cavilla, Nicholas Wilkinson and Lorrin Wilkinson; six greatgrandchildren; his three sisters and two brothersin-law, Verna Holdridge of Clockville, Martha and Thomas Dutcher of Hendersonville, N.C. and Esther and Richard Stokes of Wampsville; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by a great-grandchild, two sisters, Shirley Clark and Lucille Patrick and two brothers, Richard and Marlin Wilkinson.

Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m. Monday from the Campbell-Dean Funeral Home, Inc., 260 Main St., Oneida, with the Rev. Frank Loan, officiating. Interment will be made in Lenox Rural Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home, 1-5 p.m., Sunday. Contributions, in his memory, may be made to the Wampsville Fire Department, Box 163, Wampsville, N.Y. 13163.

To leave a message of condolence, please visit www.campbell-dean.com.