Obituary of Jeffrey Wray Jordan

JEFFREY WRAY JORDAN

TROY, NY / THE VILLAGES, FL - With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of our father, Jeffrey Wray Jordan. He left us unexpectedly on March 29, 2025, at the age of 84 while living in The Villages, Florida. Our father was extraordinarily kind and generous, with an exceptional sense of humor. He was a devoted Catholic and a steadfast supporter of Providence College, watching every basketball game with the hope that it would be "their year" (maybe next year, Dad). We forgave him for being a Buffalo Bills fan.

Dad graduated from La Salle Institute in Troy, NY, in 1958 and furthered his education at Providence College. He graduated in 1962 with a degree in Political Science. He was a talented hockey player, competing on the unbeaten La Salle Institute team during the 1956-1957 season and at Providence College. While at Providence, he also captained the tennis team and played the number one position in his senior year.

After college, Dad proudly served in Korea as a lieutenant in the U.S. Army Military Police Corps. Later, he served at Fort Dix, New Jersey, with the 716th M.P. Battalion. He concluded his active duty as provost marshal at Fort Drum, New York, and received an honorable discharge as a captain.

Our father was a respected member of numerous championship tennis teams, with a long history of competing in the United States Tennis Association (USTA) and World Team Tennis (WTT) leagues over several decades. The highlight of his tennis career was winning the WTT national championships in 1998 and 2000. His passion for tennis led him to serve as the regional vice president of the Eastern Tennis Association (ETA), where he promoted the sport for adults and juniors. He cherished the countless friendships and memories forged over the years and the seemingly millions of hours spent with his children on the tennis court and traveling to tournaments. Our family enjoyed a decade of summers at the former Idlewood Swim and Tennis Club, along with several decades at the Colonie Athletic Club (now Afrims), Schenectady Racquet Club (now Sportime), and Tri-City Racquet Club. Later in life, he discovered his love for pickleball well before it became a hugely popular sport. The first time he played, he became addicted and emerged as one of the best players in the tri-city area. He shared his passion for the game with his two daughters, Kim and Lisa. Jeffrey's son has yet to play pickleball, but he will (you can run but cannot hide).

Dad had a distinguished career as a real estate appraiser with Jordan and Hafner, Inc. and Jordan Appraisal & Research Corporation. He was a member of the New York State Appraisal Institute and one of the few in New York to hold the elite MAI designation from the American Society of Appraisers, which signifies excellence in real estate valuation. He served as a past president of the American Institute of Real Estate Appraisers and the Society of Real Estate Appraisers. There is a strong likelihood that he appraised every significant commercial building in upstate New York. Dad transitioned from the private sector and retired from New York State in 2006 as a politically appointed real estate appraiser. His dedication, depth of knowledge, and professional excellence were truly remarkable.

For over 25 years, he enjoyed family time at our timeshare in Newport, Rhode Island. We created joyful memories from these trips that still make us laugh until we cry. There was no screen door his son didn't walk through, nor was there a night when his daughter, Kim, didn't freeze out the entire family with her need for the air conditioning to be on full blast. One of his favorite pastimes in Newport was enjoying an ice-cold beer at the Black Pearl restaurant while watching beautiful yachts and sailboats go in and out of Newport Harbor.

We also took several family trips to Hilton Head, South Carolina, which created even more unforgettable memories as we endured grueling 18-hour car rides in his tiny blue Buick. We often wondered how he could see the road over the giant paper map on the front seat. We feel lucky to have survived those endless road trips, recalling how we were crammed like sausages in the back seat, playfully punching each other as siblings do, and asking thousands of times, "How much longer?" long before leaving the New York border. Thank you for these memories, Dad. We will continue to laugh about them for the rest of our lives.

Fifteen years ago, Dad moved to The Villages, along with many of his friends. He enjoyed a blissful life in the sun, with pickleball courts at every turn. He danced every night in the beautiful town squares, which featured live bands and his favorite DJ, Scooter.

Born in Troy, Jeffrey was the son of the late Frederick Wray Jordan and Rose Patricia Donnelly Jordan. He leaves behind his special love, Sharon Jurgrau of The Villages, FL, the mother of his children, Barbara Jordan of Slingerlands, his beautiful sister, Linda Reilly (Dennis Liburdi) of Latham, and his three children: Kimberly Whitacre of Mechanicville, Lisa (Ricky) Buffaline of Latham, and Jeffrey (Jennifer) Jordan of East Greenbush. His six grandchildren also survive him, including two sets of twins: Katie and Ryan Buffaline, Natalie and Colin Jordan, and their younger siblings Liam and Grayson Jordan. Additionally, two nephews, Brian McGuire and Kevin Reilly, survive him. His love for his family was unwavering, and he will be deeply missed.

We are incredibly grateful for the exceptional support from the staff at UF Health Spanish Plaines Hospital in The Villages and sincerely appreciate the tremendous assistance from Morgan, Dad's nurse. Morgan, your compassion and genuine concern were overwhelming. As we talked throughout the night, you brought comfort and peace, and we are forever thankful for your dedication. You are truly special, and the world needs more people like you. Thank you for taking such loving care of our father.

In place of flowers, the family requests donations in memory of our father to the Eddy Visiting Nurse Association Kathy Buffaline Memorial Patient Care Fund. One hundred percent of all contributions go directly to patients in need. Please send all donations to 433 River Street, Troy, NY 12180. We thank you in advance for supporting his wishes.

Rest in peace, our beautiful father. We miss you every second since you left, and your love and light will always shine in our memories and hearts.

Relatives and friends are invited and may call on Sunday, April 6th, 2025 from 2:00 to 5:00 PM at The Dufresne & CavanauighFuneral Home, 149 Old Loudon Rd., Latham, NY. Funeral Mass to take place on Monday, April 7th, 2025, 10:00 AM at Our Lady of the Assumption Church, 498 Watervliet Shaker Rd., Latham with Reverend Joseph Tuan Pham, celebrant. Interment with military honors to follow the mass at St. Mary's Cemetery, Troy.

Funeral Mass will be livestreamed and may be found at this link.  https://www.facebook.com/dufresneandcavanaugh/

For further information or to leave a message of condolences for the family please visit www.dufresneandcavanaugh.com.