LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION mourning the death of Daniel S. Dempsey, Sr. of
Goshen, New York

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to mourn publicly the
death of cherished citizens of the State of New York whose life and
endeavors testify to their commitment to, and love of, their family and
their community; and
WHEREAS, It is with deep regret that this Legislative Body records the
passing of Daniel S. Dempsey, Sr., formerly of Coldenham and a resident
of Goshen, New York for the past six years, on February 27, 2012, at age
89, noting the loss of a citizen whose purposeful life and endeavors
contributed so much to the quality of life of his family and his commu-
nity; and
WHEREAS, The son of Joseph S. Dempsey and R. Agnes Landers Dempsey,
Daniel S. Dempsey, Sr. was born on April 26, 1922 in Bolivar, New York;
he graduated from Bolivar Central School in 1939 and Rider College in
1943; he served as an MP in the U.S. Army during World War II and, in
1947, he married M. Patricia Anger of Friendship, New York; and
WHEREAS, Upon returning to Bolivar after the war, Daniel S. Dempsey,
Sr. went into the boiler repair business with his father and, subse-
quently, his brother, Joseph; in 1954, they purchased land for a new
branch of the business in Coldenham; Daniel S. Dempsey, Sr. spent the
first year bringing in equipment and inventory and building a new house
at the rear of the pipe yard; he traveled to Western New York only on
weekends to be with his wife and family and, in 1955, the family moved
to Coldenham and a new branch of the pipe business officially opened;
and
WHEREAS, Over the next forty years, Daniel S. Dempsey, Sr. and Patri-
cia raised their six children and together built up their business; in
1966, they purchased the Coldenham branch outright and changed its name
to Dempsey Steel Pipe and were very happy when their son Daniel Jr.
joined the business in 1970; and
WHEREAS, Daniel Dempsey, Sr. was best known by those close to him for
two loves: his wife, Patricia and music; both before and after his
retirement in 1997, he and Patricia traveled to many parts of the United
States, to Europe and to Korea where they visited their son, Tim; and
WHEREAS, Daniel S. Dempsey, Sr. played the cornet in the Bolivar High
School band and never lost his admiration for the music of John Philip
Sousa; in more recent years, he and Patricia became fans of Jimmy Sturr
and his orchestra; they enjoyed the music, polka dancing, traveling with
the band, and the company of their friends Jimmy and Barbara; and
WHEREAS, An avid bowler, Daniel S. Dempsey, Sr. especially enjoyed his
membership on the Newburgh Knights of Columbus team; he took up golf
later in life and happily achieved a respectable handicap; and
WHEREAS, Daniel S. Dempsey, Sr. and Patricia danced regularly at the
Elks Lodges in Wellsville and Middletown, New York for many years; he
was a Life Member of Elks Lodge 1097 in Middletown and a Life Member of
Osborn-Fitzsimmons American Legion Post 521 in Montgomery; and
WHEREAS, Daniel S. Dempsey, Sr. earned not only the love and affection
but also the respect and admiration of his wife and six children; his
children especially enjoyed his inimitable wit and his individual way of
looking at the world; and
WHEREAS, A devout Catholic, Daniel S. Dempsey, Sr. was a member of St.
Mary's Church in Montgomery, New York, for many years and was also
active in local civic affairs throughout his adult life; and
WHEREAS, He was the founding President of the East Coldenham Parent-
Teachers Association, 1960-1961, and greatly served his community as a

10-year member of the Valley Central School District Board of Education;
member of the Town of Montgomery Planning Board; and long-time member of
the Board of Directors of the Walden Savings Bank; and
WHEREAS, Daniel S. Dempsey, Sr. and Patricia lived in their home on
Maple Avenue in Coldenham for fifty years; Daniel S. Dempsey, Sr. was
diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 1998 and, although he was able to
remain somewhat active for the next ten years, he and Patricia moved to
the Glen Arden Continuing Care Retirement Community in Goshen in 2005
due to his declining health; and
WHEREAS, Through the grace and courage with which he accepted his
affliction, Daniel S. Dempsey, Sr. set an extraordinary example and his
family will always be most grateful to the staff of the Health Care
Center at Glen Arden for their kindness; and
WHEREAS, Predeceased by his parents; his brother, Charles; and two
sisters, Carolyn Suda and M. Anne Dempsey, Daniel S. Dempsey, Sr. is
survived by Patricia, his wife of 64 years; his children, Daniel Jr. and
Judi Dempsey, Timothy and Ae Sim Dempsey, Keara O'Dempsey, Kathleen D.
Redden, MaryEllen and Douglas Glorie, and Maureen and Louis Miranda; his
granddaughters, Patricia G. Dempsey, Mary Anne Dempsey Enea, Mary Rose
Fox, Erin Redden, Molly Redden, and Helen P. Dempsey; his step-grand-
daughters, Linda Parrella, Jill Vaughn and Jennifer Lister; his grand-
sons, Martin Fox and Patrick Fox; his brothers, Joseph and Neil Dempsey;
his sister, Deana Dempsey; his lifelong friend, Kenneth Root; his twen-
ty-six nieces and nephews; and his godchildren, Mary Rose Fox and James
N. Wild; and a legion of friends; and
WHEREAS, Over his meritorious life, Daniel S. Dempsey, Sr. distin-
guished himself as a man of sincere dedication and substantial contrib-
ution; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to pay
tribute to the memory of Daniel S. Dempsey, Sr., to celebrate his life,
and to honor his accomplishments; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the family of Daniel S. Dempsey, Sr.