Christopher Robin Ordway

Christopher Robin Ordway, known to family and friends as Chris or “Cappy,” passed away suddenly at his John’s Island home on November 6, 2026. A devoted husband, father, grandfather, and patriot, Chris gave more than he took. His was a life defined by family, faith, and flying.

Born in Liverpool, England, and raised in the United Kingdom, Chris moved to the United States to attend Canterbury School and went on to study aeronautical engineering at Boston University. While in college, he married his sweetheart, Gerry. They shared more than 58 years of marriage.

Inspired in part by his family’s military service, Chris made aviation his life’s work. His flying career took him from West Texas to Da Nang, Vietnam, and later to northern Maine, Southern California, and Houston, Texas. Among his military honors was the Distinguished Flying Cross. He continued his service in the U.S. Air Force Reserve, returned to active duty during the first Gulf War, and retired from military service as a Lieutenant Colonel.

Chris began his commercial aviation career in Houston with Texas Air. His career continued through Continental Airlines and United Airlines, where he spent many years as a captain. Along the way, he flew the full range of Boeing’s 7-series aircraft. He finished his career at United as a test pilot.

Chris and Gerry raised their four children in Houston, which remained their home for almost 40 years. A kind, protective, and steady presence, Chris took his responsibilities as a husband and father seriously. Quiet and reserved by nature, he was a man of deep loyalty and steadfast principles, with a playful sense of humor that those closest to him knew well.

Away from the cockpit, Chris loved skiing, tennis, and golf. He was also an avid car enthusiast. For decades, Chris and Gerry spent summers on Martha’s Vineyard and winters in the Colorado mountains. Chris belonged to the Edgartown Yacht Club, Vineyard Golf Club, Chappaquiddick Beach Club, Beaver Creek Club, and New York Yacht Club. Favorite traditions included Fourth of July fireworks in Edgartown and New Year’s fireworks in Beaver Creek, surrounded by family and cherished friends.

In retirement, Chris made his home at John’s Island Club in Vero Beach, Florida, returning to Chappaquiddick each summer. He loved entertaining his grandchildren and playing golf and croquet with friends. On the golf course, Cappy made a hole-in-one and shot a round below his age. Even in his later years, he could outdrive golfers decades younger.  He was a member of St. Elizabeth’s Catholic Church of Edgartown, Massachusetts, and Holy Cross Catholic Church of Vero Beach, Florida.

Chris will be remembered for his kindness, his loyalty to family and friends, and the quiet example he set through a life of service, devotion, and purpose.  He is survived by his wife, Gerry, and their four children, Christopher (Louisa), Katharine, Stephen (Adrianne), and John. He is also survived by his nine grandchildren, Christopher, Emery, Thomas, William, Andrew, Alexandra, Kyle, Peter, and Anna.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, November 17, 2026, at Holy Cross Catholic Church, Vero Beach, Florida.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Air Warrior Courage Foundation (airwarriorcourage.org) in honor of Chris’s service in the United States Air Force.

Arrangements are by Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory, Vero Beach.