Sheriff Green, beloved ‘Mayor’ of East Shelby, praised at funeral
‘No one embodied civic virtue like Dave Green’
Photos by Tom Rivers: This photo of Dave Green was shared during a slide show at his funeral at the East Shelby Fire Hall, where he was an active member the past 65 years. Green died at age 83 on May 22. Green never left the East Shelby community, where many people considered him the “mayor.”
EAST SHELBY – The East Shelby fire hall was packed with about 300 people on Sunday to say good bye to Dave Green, a much-loved retired sheriff and stayed very active in his retirement, organizing classic car shows and volunteering with the East Shelby Volunteer Fire Company.
Green, 83, was praised for his professionalism as sheriff and as the county’s fire coordinator/emergency management director. Green had extraordinary people skills that allowed him to work with the top law enforcement officials in the region and also to connect with inmates in the county jail.
“Dave’s great genius was in how he dealt with people,” said James Punch, retired Orleans County Court judge who also was the county district attorney, a role where he worked closely with Green when he was sheriff. “He could make anyone feel like he was their best friend no matter what walk of life.”
James Punch, who is retired as Orleans County Court judge and district attorney, delivers a eulogy at Sheriff Dave Green’s funeral on Sunday. Green earned the respect of the law enforcement community in Western New York. Punch said there were five murders his first 18 months as DA, and Green and the Sheriff’s Department did excellent police work leading to convictions in all the cases.
Green pulled off the rare feat of being elected as a Democrat to a countywide position in Orleans County, were Republicans have a 2-to-1 advantage over Democrats, and Green did it five times. He was first elected in November 1978 and served as sheriff until the end of 1998.
Green had a way of uniting people and brining out their higher calling, whether in the fire service, law enforcement or other community service, Punch said.
When Green retired as sheriff, he worked in the courthouse as a court officer. Punch was the judge. There was another court officer who became good friends with Green: Don White. He was the Republican candidate who lost an election to Green. Several years later they shared laughs and friendship.
“Adversarial politics didn’t make sense to him,” Punch said the retired sheriff.
Green visited inmates in the county jail and treated them as people, the judge said.
“Dave was a natural leader because he cared about everyone and he had the courage to let them know,” Punch said. “I’ve never met anyone who loved people more than Dave or anyone who was loved by more people than Dave.”
Green became sheriff after serving as the county’s fire coordinator and emergency management director. He led the local response during the Blizzard of ’77.
As sheriff, he pushed to create the Orleans County Major Felony Crime Task Force, which brought together the law enforcement agencies in the county to work on the most serious crimes.
Punch said Green was often at crime scenes and would interview suspects, often securing their confessions through kindness and understanding. He was respected around the state and served as president of the New York State Sheriff’s Association.
The Rev. Kim Smith, former pastor of the Millville United Methodist Church, said he was honored that Green requested Smith lead the funeral service.
Smith used to call Green when he was sheriff to request an escort for a funeral procession from the church to a local cemetery.
Smith praised Green not only for his community service, but for his 64-year commitment to his wife, Jessie. The two dated throughout high school. They have three children, six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
Green attended a one-room schoolhouse before going to the bigger school in Medina. In high school “he became a social butterfly,” Smith said.
He remained very close to the Class of 1961, planning their reunions every five years. He was working on the upcoming 65th reunion this summer.
Green became a sought after master of ceremonies for fire department banquets, mixing in humor and personal stories about the many firefighters and other volunteers.
“He knew how to interact with people, where others didn’t,” Smith said.
For 25 years Green organized the classic car shows in Medina in the canal basin, including the Super Cruise on Main Street. He had his own classic cars, and he let his grandchildren take them to their senior proms.
Green loved the East Shelby Volunteer Fire Company. It was his second home, Smith said. Green was prolific at selling raffle tickets and raising money for the fire company, while also empowering its leadership, including Debbie Taylor as the first woman to be fire chief in the county.
Green took great joy driving an East Shelby fire truck in local parades, especially Medina’s Parade of Lights.
Todd Ralph, Dave Green’s cousin, said Green was a great role model of service to his community and family. Green should go into “The Civic Hall of Fame” for his exceptional service over many decades, ralph said.
“He was a mentor, role model and sounding board who helped me grow personally and professionally,” Ralph said. “No one embodied civic virtue like Dave Green.”
Ralph urged the crowd to “carry Dave’s light” and his example forward.
“He was a humanitarian and a splendid one,” Ralph said. “He was a Western New Yorker and a proud one.”
Two of Dave Green’s grandchildren spoke at the service: Ryan McPherson and Sawyer Green. Ryan is the son of Green’s daughter Lisa and Sawyer is the daughter of Green’s son, Jeff.
The grandchildren shared how their grandfather was a mainstay at their sporting events, concerts and other activities.
Dave and Jessie also gladly welcomed their grandkids and now great-grandchildren to their home on East Shelby Road. The grandfather would joke to them that they were just stopping by for snacks.
Dave loved to cheer on the Buffalo Bills and Syracuse Orange basketball teams. He took the Bills losses hard.
“He was a giant in my life,” Ryan McPherson said.
His grandfather was a man of integrity, who put conviction behind everything he did.
Ryan would join his grandfather at Rudy’s Diner in Medina and it was almost nonstop with people stopping by to shake hands and chat with his grandfather. Ryan, when he was a kid, was surprised to see former jail inmates stop by and thank him for treating them fairly.
Ryan said his grandfather helped teach him to drive, and loved to brainstorm ways to raise funds for the East Shelby Volunteer Fire Company, including Ryan’s passion to bring pro wrestling to the community.
“He was a constant presence in my life,” Ryan said. “He always showed up.”
Sawyer Green also praised her grandfather for his presence in his grandchildren’s and great-grandchildren’s lives.
He loved to share jokes and dispense wisdom: “Don’t trouble trouble until trouble troubles you.”
She said her grandfather was a good man and her hero.
At the end of the service, a county dispatcher said the fireman’s last call for Green, who served was a past fire chief and captain of the fire company, as well as the steward for 41 years.
“His love for the East Shelby Fire Company was immeasurable,” the dispatcher said.
He mentored many of the department’s leaders, offering extraordinary friendship and service to the community, the dispatcher said.
The East Shelby Volunteer Fire Company was like a second home to Dave Green, who was a very active member for 65 years.
Other tributes to Green have been posted online at his obituary (click here).
Joe Cardone, retired Orleans County district attorney: “I had the tremendous fortune of working with Dave for several years prior to his retirement. His wisdom and advice guided us through many difficult cases.
As Sheriff he set a benchmark for his successors. Dave could handle most any difficult situation and he did it with a sense of sincerity and a reassuring smile. He had the respect of the community that he served and he was a beloved role model and educator for the scores of law enforcement officers and firefighters that worked for him.
Despite often dealing with very tragic situations he maintained a great sense of humor. He humbly helped a lot of people throughout his career and made a difference in so many people’s lives. Our community is indebted to Dave for his years of public service and his fund raising for so many charities. My condolences to the entire family.”
Ron Spike, retired sheriff of Yates County: “Dave was a truly honorable man and community servant and an admired Sheriff. He and Jessie always so welcoming and caring for my Sue when I at a conference meeting. I will always remember his love of ketchup. He had a great smile that said everything without uttering a word. Thank you Dave for your public safety fire, emergency management and law enforcement service. Your contribution to conserving peace will always be remembered. RIP my friend.”
Sue Zinkievich: “We built our house right next to the Greens. They were the best neighbors. I am sad to think he’s gone. He was one of a kind, special man who understood people, great joke teller. Even though I have been gone for 10 years, I still consider them – my East Shelby Family. I love all the Greens! Sending my sympathies to Jesse and the rest of the family rest in peace, Mr. David magnificent Green.”
Arnold Canham: “When the Medina High School Class of 1961 elected David Green as our class President, I doubt we realized back then just how wise our choice was. Here was a regular guy, always smiling, humble and quietly humorous who didn’t ‘make waves.’ In 1965 I moved away, leaving Medina behind and a few years later settled in the Chicago area.
Yet over the years it was always nice to learn about Dave back in Medina taking on responsibility for another activity or quietly guiding a long term function like the East Shelby Volunteer Fire Department. When I learned he was elected Orleans County Sherriff I was not surprised. Why not? Dave was a humble yet caring guy, seemingly a local fixture happily living a comfortable local life.
Years later it felt good to attend class reunions because Dave would be there, still with the smiling personality and quiet jokes. My Mom told me about Sheriff Dave calling when the 1977 major winter storm dumped 3 feet or more of snow on the area. He asked if my dad would use one of his bulldozer machines to help clear the roads. She quoted him as saying, ‘We can settle up later.’ An example of that steady and honorable guy, now in one of his leadership roles getting things done. Somehow, I expect Dave, who went on from high school to accomplish so much, is now ready to quietly help the ‘big guy’ get more things done.”
