WESTERLO — Roger A. Hannay, a leader in business as well as his community, died on Monday, Feb. 26, 2018. He was 75.

“Roger was a man of deep faith who dearly loved his children and grandchildren, his friends, and his country,” said his wife, Sherley Hannay. “He was a man of great integrity and wisdom with a generous and servant’s heart.” By that, she meant, “He lived to serve people rather than himself.”

Mr. Hannay is perhaps best known as the former chief executive officer and chairman of the board of his family’s company, Hannay Reels, which has served as a hub for the otherwise rural and mostly residential town of Westerlo.

Mr. Hannay was born in Catskill, in Greene County, to George and Emma “Mimi” Hannay on March 28, 1942. He graduated from Berne-Knox-Westerlo High School in 1959.

In 1963, Mr. Hannay received his bachelor’s degree from Wheaton College, and went on to earn a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Michigan a year later. After graduating, Mr. Hannay served as a United States Army lieutenant during the Vietnam War.

When he returned home from the war in 1966, Mr. Hannay joined his family’s business at the hose and cable reel company, Hannay Reels. With more than 50 years at the company, he held several different posts.

“He learned the business from the ground up,” a company tribute said of Mr. Hannay, adding that he followed “in the footsteps” of his grandfather, founder Clifford Hannay, and his father, George Hannay.

In 1990, Mr. Hannay was appointed chief executive officer of the company. He served in that position for 22 years, after which he was chairman of the company board until his death.

Mr. Hannay is credited with innovating new methods in product lines and manufacturing techniques at Hannay Reels. He also spoke out on behalf of small family businesses, testifying before Congress and the state legislature on taxes and regulations that affect these businesses.

Mr. Hannay was a long-time member of The Business Council of New York State’s Board of Directors, having first been elected in 2003. In 2014, he was named the winner of the Corning Award for Excellence at the Business Council’s annual meeting.

“Roger Hannay exemplified leadership and remained a vocal and trusted member of The Business Council and its board until his passing,” said Heather C. Briccetti, president and CEO of The Business Council of New York State Inc. “New York’s business community has lost a true champion … .”

As a local leader, Mr. Hannay was active in many community, family, religious, and business organizations, serving on several boards. He was especially passionate about serving veterans, and was a founding member of the Unified Military Affairs Council, or UMAC, which helps military families. Mr. Hannay also supported the Veterans Miracle Center, an organization that provides free goods and services to veterans in need.

Mr. Hannay was married to Sherley (née Britton) Hannay for 55 years and had four children and many grandchildren. The couple met when they were both students at Wheaton College in Illinois.

They married on June 29, 1963, their union ending only with his death.

“He loved unconditionally, never held grudges. He was the kind of husband who would pitch in and do anything that needed to be done,” said his wife.

Mrs. Hannay, a singer and a pianist, also said, “He was good listener and a good advisor, and he was great encourager and supporter, especially in my world as a musician.”

She concluded, “He was a man of great courage … He had a lot of grit.”

In a tribute, Mr. Hannay’s family describes him as “strong in his faith.”

“We celebrate that Roger is now with his Lord and Savior, and for the legacy he leaves,” the tribute says.

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Mr. Hannay is survived by his wife, Sherley (née Britton) Hannay; his children, Dawn Bub and her husband, David Bub; D.C. Hannay and his wife, Maryann Hannay; Eric Hannay and his wife, Tina Hannay; Elaine Gruener and her husband, Michael Gruener; and Linda Coleman and her husband, Ken Coleman; his brother, David Hannay; his sisters, Deborah VanDerMolen and her husband, Ed VanDerMolen; Ruth Hannay; and Sarah Schoof and her husband, Ronald Schoof.

He is also survived by his grandchildren, Kevin, Brett, Makayla, Ashley, Paige, Andrew, Vanessa, Evan, Jenna, Corey and Kathryn; by his two great grandchildren; and by numerous nephews and nieces.

A memorial service will be held at the Westerlo Baptist Church on April 21 at 1:30 p.m. Mourners may leave condolences online at ajcunninghamfh.com.

Memorial contributions may be made to: Capital City Rescue Mission, Post Office Box 1999, Albany NY 12201; Capital District Youth for Christ, Post Office Box 443, Clifton Park, NY 12065; The Pocket Testament League, Post Office Box 800, Lititz, PA 17543; or Veterans Miracle Center, 10 Interstate Ave., Albany NY 12205.

— H. Rose Schneider