Roy M. Priestley

Roy M. Priestley, of Penn Yan, NY and Hamburg, NY, passed away peacefully at the Keuka Comfort Care Home on November 28, 2025 at the age of 93.

Roy was born in England and immigrated to Canada at just 10 months old. He worked at General Motors in Buffalo for 35 years as an industrial tinsmith and eventually became a US citizen.

Roy was a Free and Accepted Mason. He was a member of Dominion Lodge #615 in Ontario, Canada where he served as Worshipful Master in 1972. He was also a member of Seneca Lake Lodge #308 in Dresden, NY.

Roy had a great love of Keuka Lake, and was very thankful for his wonderful neighbors and friends there. He volunteered at the Curtiss Museum in Hammondsport, NY for many years, and was proud to be part of the Restoration Shop crew which worked on the reproduction of the 1914 Curtiss flying boat, the America. He was also an accomplished woodworker.

He always loved to tell stories of his life experiences to friends and family. Quite often he would begin by saying, “to make a long story short,” which indicated that you should get comfortable in your seat and be ready to listen.

Roy was loved by many and will be sorely missed. He is survived by his loving wife, Carole Conlon, his children Marc (Laurie) Priestley, Sabrina (David) Carr, Jennifer Priestley (Sue Atkinson), Kevin Conlon (Carol Larson), Catherine (Roger) Jackson and many grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his siblings Lester Priestley and Eric Priestley, and son Jeffrey Conlon.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Keuka Comfort Care Home, P.O. Box 107, Penn Yan, NY 14527.

A celebration of life will be held in the spring.  Arrangements by Weldon Funeral Home, Penn Yan, NY.