GUILDERLAND — Worthy C. Cox Jr., a quick-witted man who was dedicated to his family and his fire department, died on Monday, Sept. 15, 2014. He was 79.

He went “into the Arms of Our Lord,” wrote his family in a tribute.

Mr. Cox was born in Albany, the son of the late Worthy and Clara (née Bischoff) Cox.

His early work included jobs with Wells Service Station, Trans World Airlines, and Guilderland Radio and TV.

In 1962, he went on to become a New York State Trooper, a job he held for 29 years before he retired.

His law-enforcement work helped shape both the future of his family and his town.

“He was on the original committee that developed the Guilderland Police force,” said his daughter Cynthia Schultz. “A lot of people sought him out for advice on police matters.”

Mr. Cox’s son, Curtis, is currently captain of the Guilderland Police. And Ms. Schultz herself followed in her father’s footsteps and worked for the State Police for 37 years. Now his daughter-in-law, Cathleen Cox, works for the State Police.

Mr. Cox’s greatest allegiance, though, according to his daughter, was to the Guilderland Fire Department, which he joined when he was 16. He was a member for 64 years.

“He just had such a strong sense of wanting to help the community,” said Ms. Schultz.

His love of the fire department created a family passion; his son and two grandsons are now members, and all of the women in the family are Guilderland Fire Department Ladies’ Auxiliary members, said Ms. Schultz.

“It is really a great legacy to him,” she said.

He was also a longtime member of the Hamilton Union Presbyterian Church and the Guilderland Elks Lodge 2480.

Mr. Cox spent his last several years as a State Trooper working as a technical sergeant in fleet management, taking care of patrol cars, a job his daughter said was “right up his alley.”

“He just loved cars,” she said.

Mrs. Schultz recalled traditions that Mr. Cox had as a father, including one his own father had started, and he continued, called “nut night.”

She described a night roughly a week before Christmas when the doorbell at the house would ring, and, as the door was opened, a paper bag full of mixed nuts in their shells would be thrown inside.

The children, she said, would always try to catch whoever was responsible for tossing the bag into the house, but were never able to.

Ms. Schultz said it wasn’t until she was a teenager that she realized it was her father who was behind the “nut night” tradition. His children have continued the tradition with their own families.

Mr. Cox was always very involved with his family, she said, describing other traditions such as fishing trips to Lake Vanare, and annual trips he made with his wife, Joan, to Ogunquit, Maine, after which he would bring live lobsters back to his family.

Mr. Cox and his wife were married for 54 years, their marriage ending only with her death in 2008.

“They were just so happy to be together,” said Ms. Schultz, of her parents. “They did everything together.”

Above all, said Ms. Shultz, her father was a true gentleman, and was extremely generous.

When he plowed the snow from his driveway, he’d do his neighbors’ driveways, too, she said; whenever he had an appointment somewhere, like the doctor or dentist, he’d bring treats for the staff; he was always trying to surprise his family with special gifts.

“I truly cannot think of a single person who ever met him who didn’t love him,” said his daughter.

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Worthy C. Cox Jr. is survived by his children, Cynthia Schultz, and her fiancé, William DeBarthe, and Curtis Cox, and his wife, Cathleen; his siblings, Doris and John Selig; his grandchildren, Christopher and Chad Cox; and several nieces and nephews.

His brother, William Selig, died before him, as did his parents. 

Calling hours will be held on Monday, Sept. 22, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the DeMarco-Stone Funeral Home, 5216 Western Turnpike. A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 23, at 11 a.m. at the Hamilton Union Presbyterian Church in Guilderland. Interment will be at the Prospect Hill Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Hamilton Union Presbyterian Church, 2291 Western Ave., Guilderland, NY 12084, or to the Guilderland Fire Department Ladies’ Auxiliary, 2303 Western Ave., Guilderland, NY 12084.

— Anne Hayden Harwood