Cameron, New York

Joseph C. “Joe” DeKay – 66 – of Clark Road, Cameron, died early Tuesday morning (March 18, 2025) at Robert Packer Hospital in Sayre, PA following a long illness.

Born in Bath on July 30, 1958, he was the son of Chester & Effie (VanSile) DeKay.

Joe grew up in Cameron and attended Haverling High School in Bath, NY.  He had been employed for a time at Lane Pipe Company in Bath and later worked for Taylor Wine in Hammondsport where he wore many hats including tying grapes, picking grapes, pulling brush, tending to the vineyards, working in the winery and bottling.

He was briefly employed at Gunlock Corporation in Wayland and for a short time worked for the Town of Wheeler as a Truck Driver and plowing roads.  For many years he served as a driver for Busy Bee Disposal and later Casella Waste (33 years total), retiring in September, 2020.

Joe was a life member of the Bath VFW and a longtime Buffalo Bills Football fan — especially during the Super Bowl years and in recent years loved rooting for his favorite player, Josh Allen.  He was an avid NASCAR fan whose favorite drivers include Dale Earnhardt Sr., Dale Earnhardt Jr., and Martin Truex.  He also had an appreciation for “Muscle Cars” and throughout the years owned several muscle cars, including a Firebird, Camaro, and was proud of his 2015 Dodge Challenger.  In the summer months and when weather permitted, Joe loved taking long rides on his Harley Davidson Motorcycle.  He also loved spending time on the porch with his German Shepherd, Holly. J oe took pride in maintaining his lawn with his John Deere tractor.  He was an avid listener of loud rock music with his favorite group being AC/DC and his favorite local band, Buster Crab.

In addition to his parents, Chester & Effie, Joe was preceded in death by 2 brothers, James DeKay and Philip DeKay; 3 sisters, Marjorie Cummings, Patricia Wilcox, and Judy Sprague.

He was married on June 3, 2006 to the former Kathy Griffith who survives.  Also surviving are his children, Will (Kelly Smilinich) Nunn of Wallace, NY, Jennifer (Nathan) Damboise of Cameron, and Jeffrey (Nikki Didier) DeKay of Spearfish, SD; his brother, Scott (Bonnie) DeKay of Cameron; 3 grandchildren, Caitlin Nunn, Trevor (Liz) Nunn, and Nathan Nunn; 1 great-grandson, Andrew Nunn; many nieces & nephews.

At Joe’s request there will be no calling hours or services.  A “Celebration of Life” will be held on May 3, 2025 from 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm at the Hornell VFW, 245 Canisteo Street.

Funeral arrangements are in care of the Dagon Funeral Home, 38 Church St., Hornell, NY.

Joe’s family request that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in his name be made to the Finger Lakes SPCA, 72 Cameron St., Bath, NY  14810.

To leave an online condolence or share a memory, visit www.dagonfuneralhome.com.