Gordon C. Tappan, 87

by Contributor | October 30, 2017 4:47 pm

PHOENIX, NY – Gordon C. Tappan, 87, of Phoenix, NY, died on Saturday October 28, 2017, at University Hospital, Syracuse, NY, with family by his side.

Gordon had taken a fall on October 13, in his residence/business inside the building.

He was born in Syracuse, on June 26, 1930, to his late parents, Ardus G. (Kratzer) and Clifford H. Tappan.

Residing in Baldwinsville, he grew up with horses, competing in shows.

He graduated Baldwinsville Academy, class of 1950.

He served three years in the 174th Air National Guard, Mattydale.

Always a worker, he hauled coal, oil and milk, contents were not the same truck.

He joined the Seneca River Masonic Lodge #160, Baldwinsville.

*A side note. Gordon is a descendant of the late John McHarrie, an early inhabitant who settled on the south side of the Seneca River, whose daughter Lydia, married Col. Gabriel Tappan, the first town of Van Buren Supervisor.

With the help of Mary Anne’s dad, Joe Glanville, Gordon enrolled into Simmons School of Mortuary Science in Syracuse.

They married on June 6, 1952.

They began raising a family in 1953.

He studied and eventually received his funeral director’s license 1955. That same year they bought a house in Phoenix, and moved from the hamlet of Lysander to Phoenix.

The history of the firm can be found on the funeral home website.

In 1961 Gordon bought the Allanson-Glanville Funeral Home and added his surname, Tappan, moved to Main Street in 1963.

He was a longtime member of the First Congregational Church serving as Deacon, Trustee and Head Usher.

He was a charter member of the Phoenix Lions Club, serving as secretary, treasurer, and past president.

He and the late Raymond Olds first co-chaired the annual Lions Christmas Basket Program.

Gordon was the chairman of the annual Crop Walk event and a member of the Schroeppel Historical Society.

Gordon had been a Village of Phoenix Trustee, deputy mayor; Phoenix Public Library President since 1968.

Many other activities he was a part of.

He loved serving his community and sharing the experiences with others who were doing the work.

He was predeceased by his loving wife of nearly 65 years, Mary Anne (Glanville) Tappan, who died on April 27, 2017.

Surviving are his children Douglas G. (Lisa M.) Tappan, Saralyn “Sunny” (David A.) Van Auken, Charles J. Tappan (Patti Young); four grandchildren Tricia A. Van Auken, Janine M. (Paul M.) Sabo, Geoffrey D. Tappan (Bridget Burnett) and Elissa R. Tappan; two
great-grandchildren, Dylan M. Sabo and Emily M. Sabo; his “little sister,” Marlette A. Frye of California; nephew, Steve Sickler of Oregon; nieces Pam Kruse and Sue Tobler both of Calafornia; grandnephews, Robert and Tommy Kruse; grandnieces, Lauren and Natalie Sickler and Montana Tobler; cousins, John (Pat) Tappan and Molly Tappan and their children Josh, Aaron, and Jonathan Tappan.

Calling hours will be held on Tuesday, October 31, from 1 to 4 p.m.., Wednesday, November 1, from 4 to 7 p.m. in the Allanson-Glanville-Tappan Funeral Home, 431 Main St., Phoenix.

An additional calling hour will be on Thursday November 2, in First Congregational, UCC (church) from 10 to 11 a.m.

The funeral service will begin at 11 a.m. with Pastor Stan Bennett and Pastor Karen Marshall officiating.

Burial after the service in Riverview Cemetery, 70 Tappan St., Baldwinsville.

Contributions in Gordon’s memory to: First Congregational, UCC; Phoenix Lions Club; Phoenix Public Library, Schroeppel Historical Society; Callimachus Masonic Lodge, #369 F&AM, Phoenix.

Source URL: https://oswegocountytoday.com/obituaries/funeral-homes/allanson-glanville-tappan-funeral-home/gordon-c-tappan-87/

---