Obituary of Nathan Bailey

Nathan Eugene Bailey, 87, of Montour Falls and formerly of Alpine, passed away on Tuesday, June 21, 2016 at Seneca View Skilled Nursing Facility. He was born in Van Etten at the home of his uncle George Staurowsky, on April 5, 1929, the son of the late George and Mary (Staurowsky) Bailey. As a child, Nate lived in Spencer. The family moved near Troy, PA for a few years, then on to Bellona. When he was about 16 years old, the family relocated to a small farm on East Hill Rd. in Spencer. Nate enlisted in the US Army in 1950, serving in the Korean Conflict as a Conductor on an ammunition train. After returning home from Korea, Nate married his sweetheart Harriet Jenkins in May 1953. He and Harriet lived in Elmira while Nate worked at the 7Up Bottling Company as a delivery driver for a few years. After starting a family, he and Harriet lived in Cayuta until 1965 then moved to Alpine. In the late 1950's, Nate's enthusiasm and work ethic earned him an offer from Stephens & Welty who owned a distributorship at the Elmira Bottling Company to drive, sell and deliver Pepsi-Cola. When a distributorship came up for sale several years later, Nate purchased it. His association with Pepsi-Cola and the Elmira Bottling Company lasted nearly 30 years until his retirement in the early 1980's. He and Harriet had separated in 1978 and eventually divorced in 1997. After retirement, Nate lived in Elmira and in Alpine, then settled in Kentwood, LA for about 15 years where he remarried. Upon his second wife's death, he returned to NY. Nate was a member of the American Legion and past member of both the Moose and the Elks. He was predeceased by his first wife, Harriet J. Bailey; his second wife, Dorthay (Hornbrook) Bailey; his siblings George Bailey, Harvey Bailey, Mary Lou (Bailey) Fink; and step siblings John Keenan and Marion (Keenan) VanDewark. Nate and Harriet had five children who survive him; Candis Bailey (Eric), Winona (Alan) Fisher, Nathan L. Bailey, R. Dana (Taina) Bailey, and Harris (Elaine) Bailey; a brother, Richard Bailey; eight grandchildren; eight great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Relatives and friends are invited to call on Tuesday, June 28, 2016 from 5-7 pm at Vedder and Scott Funeral Home, 122 N. Genesee St., Montour Falls. Military honors will be conducted at the funeral home at the conclusion of calling hours. Donations in Nate's memory may also be made to Seneca View Skilled Nursing Unit 1.