Cecil Ray Ordway

Cecil Ray Ordway, affectionately known as Cy to his friends and Poppi to his family, passed away peacefully on November 27, 2025, in Norristown, Pennsylvania. He was 92 years old. Born in 1933, in Shippensburg, Pennsylvania, Cecil lived a full and devoted life rooted in hard work, service, and love for his family. He was known for his kindness, integrity, quick wit, and continual dedication to providing for his family.

        After serving in the U.S. Army from 1950 to 1952-where he signed up as a paratrooper for the extra $50 a month-Cecil began a lifelong career with the Pennsylvania Railroad. Through its transitions to Penn Central, Conrail, and later Amtrak, he worked as a signalman, officially a Test Maintainer in the Communication and Signal Department, dedicating his career to keeping the rails safe and reliable. 

        Beyond his work, Cecil found joy in golf, horseshoes, cornhole, fishing, and the art of bird carving, creating lifelike waterfowl and shorebirds. His cornhole opponents found he was a force to be reckoned with even into his 80s. He and his beloved wife Faye, traveled extensively across the United States, camping and journeying by train, with many memorable cross-country trips and even an Alaskan cruise. He gave back to his community through the Norristown AMBUCS and served as a sideline statistician for youth football teams. Along with Faye, he was volunteer at Assateague State Park in Maryland for decades.
 

        He is cherished in the hearts of his surviving children, Eric Ordway (Eileen), Diane Ordway, Judith Johnston (Bill), and John Ordway (Jennifer Troyan); daughter-in-law, Sherry; grandchildren Jennifer Ordway, Christine Brooks, Shane Ordway, Melanie Ordway, Jillian Johnston, Greg Johnston, Madison Troyan, and Delaney Troyan; and great-granddaughter Sunny Johnston. He was preceded in death by his wife, Faye, and his son, Anthony (Tony). Coming from a family of thirteen, he also leaves behind a sister, Bonnie Frey (Jesse) and a brother, Ronald (Maxine).

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