Obituary of Gerald S. Chase

Gerald S. “Gib” Chase, 99, of Addison, passed away on Monday, October 23, 2023 at the Arnot Ogden Medical Center in Elmira following a brief illness. Born in Erie, PA on July 26, 1924, Gib was the son of the late Harry M. and Florence Toy Chase. He was a 1942 graduate of Addison Central School. Following high school he worked with his father on the family dairy farm in Tuscarora. He was employed at the Ingersoll Rand Foundry in Painted Post while at the same time working on the farm. He eventually left the Rand and concentrated on farming. He married Eleanor May “Ellie” Cornell Chase on September 24, 1949 in Buffalo, NY. She preceded him in death on October 15, 2013. Gib and Ellie began concentrating on poultry farming and operated the Chase Poultry Farm in Tuscarora. They raised laying hens and served the area with home delivered eggs until 1985. At the age of 62, Gib left poultry farming and concentrated on raising black angus beef cattle, maintaining a herd with his son Joe up until his death. He was blessed with a large loving family and Gib was adored by them all. He lived a wonderful life. Gib and Ellie enjoyed square dancing, belonging to the Champagne Whirl-Aways and the Valley 49ers Square Dancing Clubs. They also belonged to the Freeman and Addison Granges as well as being longtime members of the Tuscarora Baptist Church. Gib was a former member of the Tuscarora Fire Department. Gib enjoyed a simple life on his farm. He loved spending time on his four wheeler, riding up on the hill to check on the cattle or spending time swimming with his grandchildren in his pool. He is survived by his children and their spouses, Jerry and Judy Chase of Addison, Susan and Robert Nichols of Addison, Jeffery and Mary Chase of Charleston, SC, Steven Chase and Lynda Shupert of Fayetteville, NC and Joseph Chase of Addison, his grandchildren, Kelly (Bryan) Conklin, Jared (Teri) Chase, Pamela Carpenter, Carolyn (Ron) Thiery, Jonathon Pearce, Melanie (Adam) Collier, Dan (Tina) Nichols, Karen McNeill (AJ Parsons), John (Kim) Nichols, Laura (Mike) Thompson, John (Christina) Chase and Patricia Chase, 29 great grandchildren, special family friend, Lizzy Farrar of Illinois and several nieces and nephews. Besides his wife Ellie, Gib was predeceased by his brother Harry Chase. Friends may call on Friday, October 27 from 5 to 8 pm at the Tuscarora Baptist Church, Cook Road, Tuscarora. Visitation will also be held there from 1 to 2 pm on Saturday with funeral services following at 2 pm. Pastor Jamey Miller and family friend, Rev. Ray Fritz will officiate. Burial will be in Addison Rural Cemetery. Arrangements are with the H.P. Smith & Son Funeral Home in Woodhull.