Obituary of David R. Alvord

David R. Alvord, 74, of Cortland, New York, passed away on Sunday, February 8, 2015, at home with his family. He was born in Cortland, grew up in Marathon, and was the son of the late S. Reed Alvord and D. Marjorie (Moore) Alvord. He is survived by his beloved wife of 48 years Kathleen (Howard) Alvord, three married sons and their families Dennis Alvord, Joan Glickman, Eliana and Eitan Alvord of Chevy Chase, MD; Jeffrey, Michelle and Justin Alvord of Vestal, NY; and, Gregory, Kyle, Rylan and Graham Alvord of Richmond, VA. He is also survived by two sisters and their husbands Susanne (Roland) Ryan and Peggy (Raymond) Reynolds; brother-in-law and sister-in-law Richard (Claudia) Howard, Sheila (Richard) Halstrom; and numerous nieces and nephews. Prior to his retirement in 2001, he spent over 40 years as a community banker where he supported local businesses and homeowners. As President and Chief Executive Officer of the First National Bank of Cortland he oversaw a merger with Oneida Valley Bank and the creation of Alliance Bank, NA. Throughout his career and in retirement he was active in numerous professional, civic and community organizations such as the New York State Bankers Association, the Independent Bankers Association, J.M. Murray Center, Peck Memorial Library, the Cortland County Dairy Promotion Committee, the United Way, the Cortland County Cooperative Extension Board, the American Red Cross Board, the American Cancer Society, the TC3 Foundation, the Cortland Memorial Hospital Board of Trustees, the Cortland Cooperative Insurance Company, the Central New York Regional Economic Development Committee, the Cortland County Economic Development Committee Revolving Loan Fund Program, the Cortland Community Development Loan Committee, the Cortland County Chamber of Commerce, the SUNY Cortland College Development Foundation, the Cortland Memorial Foundation, the Home Store in New York and Church Service Center in his retirement community in Florida, and Rotary International where he worked to raise funds to support the global eradication of polio. Active in his church; his interests included landscaping, boating, downhill skiing, spending time outdoors, reading and music, as well as supporting his community and family, especially his children and grandchildren whom he adored. He never missed an opportunity to engage his grandchildren, nor they him. He greatly enjoyed his trips around the United States, particularly California and Hawaii with Kathy. He truly relished his patch of sunshine in Florida, a welcome respite from Upstate New York winters. Calling hours will be held at the Wright-Beard Funeral Home from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., 9 Lincoln Ave., Cortland, New York on Friday, February 13, 2015.Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., on Saturday, February 14, 2015 at the Homer Congregational Church in Homer, New York, with Reverend Dr. Kathleen Waters and Rev. Richard Cowles officiating. Entombment will follow at the Cortland Rural Cemetery. The family will receive friends upon their return from the cemetery behind the sanctuary in the Russell Fellowship Room. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Homer Congregational Church Memorial Fund, 28 South Main Street, Homer, NY 13077, or United Methodist Church Food Pantry, Attn.: Rev. Rachel Morse, 16 Cayuga St., Homer, NY 13077. To offer online condolences visit www.wright-beard.com