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Wednesday, January 27, 2021

Obituary: Donald E. Jordan, 72, Longtime Portville Coach, Umpire, and Mentor

Donald E. Jordan: Beloved Husband, Father, Uncle

Longtime Portville Coach, Umpire, and Mentor Donald E. Jordan, 72, of 1528 Portville-Obi Road, passed away Monday evening at Olean General Hospital after complications from COVID-19.

Born on March 21, 1948, in Olean he was a son of Alvin and Mary Carlson Jordan.  He is survived by his wife of 44 years the former Annette A. Pichur. 

Don was a graduate of Portville Central School Class of 1966 and then graduated from Jamestown Community College with an Associate’s Degree in Business Administration.

Don has had many, many work experiences, including McGraw-Edison, Dresser Industries, PC laboratories, and What Sounds Good.  He retired in 2015 from BOCES, where he was a student and classroom aid, which he felt was probably his “calling in life”.  In retirement he substituted at Portville Central School.

Don’s coaching career started in 1982 as a T-Ball coach and that lead to his Little League involvement that lasted over 35 years.  Hundreds of children were lucky to have him as a coach and loved him like a grandfather.  Holding various offices, he served as President of Portville Little League, District 2 Little League Administrator, was a Board member of the NYS District 2 Administration Association, Umpired 9 Regional Little League Softball Tournaments, and was a member of the Portville Football Chain Gang.  He was also a member of the Portville Conservation Club, Olean Rod & Gun Club, and Portville Central School Sports Booster.

Having many accomplishments in life, he carried the torch for the 2002 Winter Olympics, was inducted in the Cattaraugus County Sports Hall of Fame in 2012, was tapped to umpire the Big League Softball World Series in 2015, Ushered for the Little League World Series for 15 years, and was even able to fit in coaching a Little League Championship game the morning of his wedding, later which his players attended.  He also served as the Town of Genesee Supervisor for four years. 

Bill Torrey who he coached Portville Central High School Softball with for 10 years was able to summarize Don’s life perfect for the family when he said “Don was a staple in Portville Community and made a difference in so many people’s lives. He truly embodied everything maroon and white.  Don had a huge heart, and even bigger personality, and a laugh that could be heard a country mile. 

In addition to his wife Annette he is survived by a son, Matthew S. Jordan of Murrells Inlet, SC; a daughter April Jordan of Mesa, Arizona; his siblings Tom (Sue) Jordan of Bolivar, Ken (Linda) Jordan of Wellsville, Neil (Brenda) Jordan of Cumming, Georgia, Kathy (Dale) Goodell of Eldred, PA; A sister-in-law Marsha Jordan of Mishawaka, Indiana, a brother-in-law, Kenneth (Diane) Pichur of Delevan; Several Nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, and 3 great-great nieces and nephews. Special friends Deb Rogers and family and Karl and Angie Baker and family whom affectionally referred to him as Poppa; And his beloved Dog Ozzy.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by A brother Wayne Jordan and a niece Kimberly Jordan.

At his request there will be no services at this time.  A Memorial Service will be held sometime this summer at a date and time to be announced.

Arrangements are under direction of the Mark F. Rinker Funeral Home & Memorial Service, Inc., Cuba.

Memorials may be made to INtandem, 1439 Buffalo St., Olean, New York 14760 or to Gills Hills 2526 Brown Road, Wellsville, NY 14895.