| Date of Birth | September 15, 1935 |
| Passed Away | September 28, 2026 |
| Place of Residence | Hammondsport |
| Home State | NY |
| Service Date | October 13, 2026 |
| Service Time | 10 a.m. |
| Service Location | Bath National Cemetery |
Elwin L. Erway
1935-2026
Elwin Erway passed away surrounded by his wife and children on 28 Sep 2026 at the Strong Memorial Hospital from injuries incurred during a household accident 5 days earlier.
Elwin was born at Gold, Potter, PA on 15 Sep 1935. He graduated from Ulysses High School and completed some trades courses at Penn State College. He served in the US Army in A Battery, 43rd Anti Aircraft Artillery Battalion, 10th Infantry Division from 1954-1956. He was extremely proud of his military service. He was fond of telling his children stories about his assignment to Germany and continued to stay in touch with friends he served with.
He was raised on a Dairy Farm and felt an obligation to carry on the family tradition, but when asked why he chose his own path he would quote the saying “How ya gonna keep ’em down on the farm after they’ve seen Paree”. He worked as a welder on the gas pipeline in Northern PA where he was given the nickname “Slim” which followed him the rest of his life. He then found a long term career at Taylor Wine Company in Hammondsport, NY. The Dairy Farmers work ethic however never left him and he instilled that into his children. Working one job couldn’t fill enough time nor fully utilize his skills, so additionally he built two log cabins for his family and always found projects. He found a way to accomplish anything he set his mind to, but took extra pride in his skill with stone/tile work and building fireplaces.
In 1957 while on a blind date he met the love of his life, Marian Derick. They were married on 5 Jul 1958 and for the next 68 years he remained very proud of and devoted to her. They had three children who were the center of their lives. For many years they took family camping trips covering much of the east coast. Then purchased a lot on the west side of Keuka Lake where he enjoyed activities on the lake shared with extended family.
In retirement, Elwin and Marian spent winters in Zephyrhills, FL where no one he met was a stranger for very long. He finally allowed himself time for hobbies and became an avid golfer while still looking for handy man tasks to help out family and friends. He especially enjoyed family visits and supporting school and sports activities of his children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews. His kindness, warmth, generosity and love were a blessing to his extended family.
Elwin was predeceased by: his parents, Harold and Edith, sisters Thelma and Eleanor, brother Carl, brothers-in-law Clark Mitchell, Bill Davidson, William Perkins, his niece Sandy Erway, nephews Jon Perkins, Eric Erway and granddaughter Jessica Erway.
He is survived by his wife Marian, children Deanna Lang (Steve), Michael (Veronica) and Amy Gordon. Sister-in-law Lois Fullmer (Bob), Brother-in-law Alton Derick (Jean) and Sister-in-Law Diane Erway. Grandchildren: Garrett Lang (Liz), Hilary Scott, Trevor Lang (Kasey), Samantha Bellis (Nate), Ben Gordon (Kirsten), and Jesse Gordon, Great Grandchildren: Kadence, Veronica, Marty, Rory, Bailee, Adilynn, Amelia, Ella, Hudson and a Great Great Grandson Matthew along with numerous nieces, nephews, all of whom he thought the world of.
On Tuesday, 13 Oct at 10am, there will be a memorial service and burial at the Bath National Cemetery in Bath, NY.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Pulteney Free Library, PO Box 215, 9224 County Route 74, Pulteney, NY 14874.
The Bishop & DeSanto Funeral Home, 35 Main St., HAMMONDSPORT is honored to assist Elwin’s family with the arrangements.
Online condolences or remembrances of Elwin are welcome at bishopdesanto.com or on the Facebook page of Bishop-Johnson & DeSanto Funeral Home.
