Ormonde “Ormie” E. King

March 12, 1938-December 13, 2025

Ormie King was born on March 12, 1938 to Ormonde (the 'Whistling Mailman') & Mildred (Lowery) King of Florence St in Auburn. He attended Seward grammar School and graduated from Central High in 1955. Sports were a big part of his life. Ormie was a member of the1954 and 1955 AHS undefeated football teams and he lettered in football, baseball and played three years of varsity basketball. He learned how to pitch fast-pitch softball from the great Monk Curtin, and at the age of 15, Ormie was pitching softball in the A-League at the Y-Field, where he later would beat the infamous King & his Court. He went on to play and coach several semi-pro basketball teams in Auburn. He played on the very first Babe Ruth All-Star team that went on to play for the state championship. He managed Paul's Insurance Pony and Little League teams for 6 years where he helped form many young lives who remember him to this day.

Following high school, Ormie was employed by Sears Roebuck and Co. for 37 years as manager of the appliance department. He served 19 years as a county legislator and 6 years as an Auburn city councilman, and he was appointed by Gov. Mario Cuomo to the upstate council.

He owned and operated the much loved Legends Restaurant at the Five Points in Auburn for 3 years with his lifelong friend Billy Martin, until it was tragically destroyed by fire. After losing the restaurant, Ormie went on to write a weekly "Legends of Auburn" column for the Post Standard, and later for the Citizen, for a combined total of 26 years. With his much loved writings and photos he showcased all that is good about Auburn....the people and places that make us so special. He also amassed a huge collection of over 300 albums of photos, news clippings, and memorabilia about Auburn which was housed at the CCC library for many years. In more recent years, it was moved to The Legends Room at the AHS library, for ease of parking out front for older folks. With the help of his nephew Jack Casper, Ormie also published 4 books, photo collections of the Legends of Auburn. “Ormie” also hosted a tv talk show called “Talkin Sports with Ormie King” with t he help of his friend Steve Gage. They produced 70 episodes with Ormie interviewing Auburn Legends and they are still broadcast on the local channel and enjoyed by the community.

During his retirement years he worked as a driver for RSVP, and at the service desk at the YMCA, both jobs that he loved.

Ormie was proud of his happy upbringing at St. Luke's church in Auburn. After his marriage, he became a lifelong parishioner of Holy Family Church where his children were raised, and he helped with weekly bingo games, Family Fun Day, the Clothes Closet, and Chapel House homeless shelter.

He shared many happy times with great friends at the Lake Country Tennis Club, Auburn Golf & Country Club, the YMCA, the Hibernians, and the Knights of Columbus.

He was co-chairman of the Maroon Fever committee and the all schools '50's reunion, and well as chairman of the infamous Y-Field Reunion. He founded the Auburn Softball Hall of Fame, which is now showcased in the Y-Field clubhouse, a unique, historic building that Ormie was instrumental in saving from destruction. He was also a founding director of the AHS Hall of Fame.

Much more important than any of his community accomplishments, Ormie was just a sincerely kind and caring person, a simple guy, who quietly tried to help others everyday. He loved his hometown community with all his heart, surpassed only by his undying love for his wife and children. How lucky we were!!! He was our very own George Bailey from It's a Wonderful Life. He truly did not care about financial gain; his wealth came from the love he gave and received. Ormie's was a life well-lived; he lit up the little corner of the world that was given to him. Rest in peace dad, heaven has been waiting for you!!

Ormie is survived by the love of his life, his wife of 67 years, Helen (Kenna) King, and his children Denise (Tom) Bennett, Michele Courtney, Ormie (Judy) King, and Jeff King, his grandchildren Sarah (Doug) Lumb, Hannah Bennett (Derrek), Ormie Jr. (Samantha) King, Brendan (Brenna) King, Chris (Renee) Courtney, and Ashley King, as well as great grandchildren Ella,Tommy, Cole, Cruz, Caine, Lily, Cade, Eloise, and Weston. In addition he is survived by his sister-in-laws Mary Klonowski and Maureen (Jerry) Wetherby, as well as many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Ormie was predeceased by his son-in-law James Courtney and grandson Connor Bennett, as well as his brother Richard (& Dottie) King, and sister Beverly (& Steve) Wolniak, sister & brother-in-laws Patricia & Steve Nemeth, Bob Klonowski, Wanda & John Casper, as well as several nieces & nephews.

We would like to thank all the staff at the Finger Lakes Center for Living for the extraordinary love and care they gave to Ormie, and for all the fun times we enjoyed there. You helped us make his last years happy ones!! Special thanks to his lunchroom buddies: Chris McEvoy, Paul Hesse, John Langham, Richmond Parker and Nelson Jameson.

Services will be held on Monday December 22nd, 2025 at Willard Chapel in Auburn, beginning with calling hours from 11:00 am - 1:00 pm, immediately followed by a funeral service at 1:15pm, then proceeding to a burial service at St. Joseph's cemetery in Auburn.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Ormie's memory to the Auburn YMCA, 27 William St. Auburn, NY 13021. Online donations are also accepted.

Remember: Live life, cheat death, laugh often!!

Farrell’s Funeral Service Inc 84 South St Auburn NY