Gordon C. Peck of Narrowsburg and formerly of Astoria, a retired letter carrier for the United States Post Office and longtime resident of the area, died Saturday, June 16, 2007 at Wayne Memorial Hospital, Honesdale, Pa. He was 84.
The son of the late Charles and Mary Hlaveck Peck, he was born in New York City on March 30, 1923.
Gordon was a World War II Veteran having served as a Corporal in the Marine Corps. He was a purple heart recipient.
A family statement reads, Gordon was the most loving man, he was loved by everyone. He touched so many lives. He was such a strong and caring man. He was an inspiration and he will greatly be missed.
Survivors include his wife of 58 years, Margaret Rolleri Peck; his daughter, Linda Thorpe and her husband, Gary of Beach Lake, Pa.; his son, Robert Peck and his wife, Joann of Narrowsburg; two granddaughters, Carolyn Curreri, Samantha Peck; his grandson, Michael Peck; and four great grandchildren.
He is predeceased by a son, Dennis Peck; and a brother, Bruce Peck.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held today, June 19 at 9:30 a.m. at the St. Francis Xavier R.C. Church, Narrowsburg. Rev. William Scully O.F.M. will officiate.
Burial will be in Glen Cove Cemetery, Narrowsburg.
Donations can be made to the American Lung Association or the Tusten Vol. Ambulance Corps, PO Box 34, Narrowsburg, NY 12764.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Rasmussen Funeral Home, Narrowsburg.

Rev. Laurence Gibney
Priest, 78

Rev. Laurence H. Gibney of Salisbury Mills, a lifelong resident of the area, died Tuesday, June 12, 2007 at St. Luke's Cornwall Hospital in Cornwall. He was 78.
The son of the late Laurence Gibney and Anne Cooney Gibney, he was born on March 2, 1929 in Newburgh.
Father Gibney was a priest for 53 years, retiring as Pastor of St. Joseph's R.C. Church in New Windsor. He was a former Pastor at St. Anastasia Church in Harriman, St. Peter’s Church in Liberty, and Holy Name Church in Otisville. He was also a Chaplain for the New York City Department of Correction.
Father Gibney grew up in West Grove, (which is now the West Point property), before moving to nearby Highland Falls, where he was raised and served his first Mass in Sacred Heart Church 53 years ago. He was ordained on May 14, 1954.
He is survived by nieces and nephews, Francis, Anne, Larry, Peter and John Pavek, and many cousins. He is also survived by his closest and best friend of 50 years, Vincent Angelo.
A Funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, June 19 at 11:00 a.m. at Church of the Most Precious Blood, 42 Walnut St., Walden with His Eminence Edward Cardinal Egan, Archbishop of New York officiating.
Interment will follow in Peacedale Cemetery, Highland Falls.
Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Orange & Sullivan Counties, 800 Stony Brook Court, Newburgh, NY 12550.
Funeral arrangements were made by Smith, Seaman & Quackenbush, Inc. Funeral Homes, Monroe.

Albert D. Schmitt
Ret. Bank VP, 79

Albert D. Schmitt of Leesburg, Fla., formerly of Montgomery, a retired Vice President for the Valley Bank, Walden, died Monday, June 11, 2007 at his home in Leesburg, Fla. He was 79.
The son of Charles and Mary Fitzgerald Schmitt, he was born January 24, 1928 in Montgomery. He was the widower of Pearl MacMurtrie Schmitt.
He was a World War II Navy Veteran, former member and treasurer of the Walden Rotary, former treasurer for the Salvation Army, Walden Unit, former treasurer for the Walden Humane Society, and member of the Safe Deposits Association.
His favorite saying was, "keep your eye on the ball."
Survivors include two sons, Allan Schmitt and his wife, Sharon of Ohio and Robert Schmitt of Wallkill; two daughters, Linda Brookman and her husband, Edward of Marlborough, Conn. and Kathleen Nelson of Wethersfield, Conn.; one brother, Charles "Uncle Bill" Schmitt of Montgomery; four sisters, Margaret Bartle and Esther Manz, both of Montgomery, Anna Kaufman and Mary Faulk-ner, both of Rock Hill; five grandchildren, Benjamin, Hannah, Ethan, Jarrod, and Aidan; and nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his sister, Kathryn Marcano.
Graveside services will be held Thursday, June 21, 2007 at 10 a.m. at St. Mary's Cemetery, Montgomery.
Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery, Montgomery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Montgomery Library.
Arrrangements were made by the Gridley-Horan Funeral Home, Inc., Walden.

John M. Hammer
Ret. Maintenance, 88

John M. Hammer of Livingston Manor, a retired maintenance employee of the Liberty Central School District and a lifelong area resident, died Sunday, June 10, 2007 in the Sullivan County Adult Care Center, Liberty. He was 88.
The son of the late Oscar and Fannie LeRoy Hammer, he was born April 30, 1919 in White Sulphur Springs.
John had attended the Liberty United Methodist Church, Liberty and he had worked for various local independent contractors doing carpentry.
Survivors include his daughter, Phyllis Heins and her husband, Clark of Monticello; his son, Grant Hammer and his wife, Jane of Woodbourne; five grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his wife, Margaret Amback Hammer; a brother, Oscar Hammer, Jr.; and two sisters, Dorothy “Dolly” Rave and Anna Mae West.
Visitation will be Friday, June 22 from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. in the Harris Funeral Home, West Street at Buckley, Liberty.
Funeral services will be Saturday, June 23 at 1 p.m. in the funeral home. The Rev. Larry Powell will officiate.
Burial will be in the Bon Air Cemetery, Roscoe.
Memorial contributions in his name may be made to the Liberty United Methodist Church, 170 North Main Street, Liberty, NY 12754.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Harris Funeral Home, Roscoe.

Grace Longwell
Retired Secretary, 98

Grace Longwell, a lifetime resident of Middletown until February 1997, died June 14, 2007 in Severn, Maryland at the home of her son, Robert Bell, after a short illness. She was 98.
The daughter of the late Perry and Abigail Black, she was born May 13, 1909 in Jeffersonville. She was the widow of Robert P. Bell and Elmer H. Longwell.
She was a secretary, employed by Orange and Rockland Utilities. She retired in 1974 after 29 years with the company.
Survivors include her son, Robert L. Bell and his wife, Mary of Severn, Md.; three grandchildren, Robert A. Bell and wife, Cindy of Oswega, Ill., Richard T. Bell and wife, Sherry of Odenton, Md. and David P. Bell and wife, Ashley of Odenton, Md.; four great grandchildren; and one niece.
A Memorial service was held at the Donaldson Funeral Home & Crematory, P.A. in Odenton, Md.
Interment will be in Hillside Cemetery, Middletown at a later date.