by Kieron Kramer
The family of John “Jack” Dwyer came to the Rensselaer County Legislative Chamber on Tuesday evening to receive copies of the resolution that was passed in his memory at last month’s meeting. Former Hoosick Falls Mayor Don Bogardus accompanied Jack’s son Phillip and his wife Vicki into the well of the Legislature where District 5 Legislators Stan Brownell and Lester Goodermote made the presentation.
Jack Dwyer died on December 5, 2010. Brownell read the resolution which included some highlights of Dwyer’s life. He was married for forty-nine years to the late Eileen (Bogardus) Dwyer. He was a graduate and Salutatorian of St. Mary’s Academy, Class of 1943. Jack was a veteran of WW II serving with the United States Navy and New York State Guard. After reporting for duty aboard the USS Bonne Homme Richard Aircraft Carrier, he was transferred to the Destroyer USS Baldwin for deployment in the Pacific-Asiatic theater. He received the WW II Asiatic-Pacific Campaign, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign, American Theater and WW II Victory medals. Dwyer worked for the Wood Flong (Lydall) Corporation of Hoosick Falls for approximately forty-five years and the Rensselaer County Department of Aging for fifteen years. He was active in his community. He was a lifelong member of the Immaculate Conception Church and a member of the American Legion, and he served his community as a Trustee on the Hoosick Falls Village Board for ten years. Brownell added, “Jack was quite a community guy; our
seniors loved him – between Berlin, Grafton and Hoosick Falls he drove seniors around to different locations.”
Don Bogardus then took the podium. Not only was Jack Dwyer Deputy Mayor to Bogardus for about ten years, but he was also Bogardus’ brother in law. Bogardus said, “Jack was a man who wore many hats. He was a special type of guy – he never wanted the pats on the back, which is unusual because many people want to be recognized even if they shouldn’t be. Jack was a gentleman who always helped others. He had a heart as big as gold.” Bogardus added, “Jack and his family had a camp on Hedges Lake and had a lot of parties, and when you went to Jack’s parties you went to a good party.” Bogardus said, “Jack Dwyer loved policemen and in return he expected them to love the people. It was really great,” Bogardus said. According to Bogardus, Jack’s boss at Wood Flong, Ralph Millington, said, “Jack was one in a million; it’s too bad he was a democrat.” “Thank you for listening to an old soldier,” Bogardus concluded.
Lester Goodermote took his turn. He said, “I always lived out in the country, not in the Village, but I got to know Jack when I was the Town and Village Justice. It was an honor to know Jack.” Goodermote added, “It’s nice to follow the Mayor because my verboseness is a lot less than his.”
Two other prominent members of the Eastern Rensselaer County community died recently, and they were memorialized at this meeting.
In Memoriam Of John L. Delurey
John L. Delurey died on January 7, 2011. According to the resolution, John was born on September 28, 1926, in Pittstown to the late Daniel and Elena (Boose) Delurey. He was a resident of Hoosick for almost 60 years and was pre-deceased by his loving wife Gloria. John attended schools in the Pittstown area and graduated from Catholic High in Troy. He worked for the International Harvester Company as a salesman for a short time before launching a dealership in 1952. With his brother Raymond and with the help of his wife, Gloria, they built Delurey Sales & Service from scratch into one of International’s most successful small dealerships in the country. John received International’s highest honors and awards over the years before turning the business over to his sons and serving as their consultant and advisor. John grew up on a farm and eventually owned his own farm in West Hoosick for years; this was his hobby and passion. Active in his community he was a communicant of St. George’s Church in Pittstown in his youth and then of Immaculate Conception Church in Hoosick Falls, and he was an active member of Elks Lodge B.P.O.E. 178, leading a number of its charitable efforts. He served as Exalted Ruler and later rose in the statewide organization to become District Deputy.
The resolution says, “John L. Delurey will be missed by his family – his three sons, Danny (Robin), Jeff (Teresa) and David (Gail), his daughter, Kate (Elliott), his thirteen grandchildren, John, Keegan, Jennifer, Christopher, Ryan, Courtney, Sarah, Callen, Mallory, Aubrey, Zachary, Aaron and Grace…now, therefore, be it resolved, that the members of the Rensselaer County Legislature conclude their deliberations in memory of John L. Delurey and extend their deepest sympathy to his family, fully confident that his contributions to his community will live on to serve as a legacy for all.”
The Clerk of the Legislature will transmit a copy of this resolution, suitably engrossed, to the family of John L. Delurey.
In Memoriam Of Lois L. Gundrum
The resolution memorializing Lois Gundrum, who died on December 28, 2010, begins, “It is consistent with the duty of this Legislative Body to recognize the contributions of citizens of Rensselaer County; we remember with deepest respect and admiration the life of an individual whose singular example has enriched the lives of her fellow citizens; it is the intent of this Legislative Body to express sincerest sorrow upon the death of Lois L. Gundrum.”
According to the resolution, Lois was born in Sutton, MA, to the late John A. Eaton and Alta M. Eaton. She graduated from Sutton High School in 1962 and studied nursing at Hahnemann Hospital School of Nursing. Lois married Rynard G. Gundrum and during their 47 years together, they built the Rynard G. Gundrum Lumber Company of Grafton, a family business that through Lois’ hard work and daily devotion continues to thrive to this day. She also devoted her time to the Town of Grafton where she was elected Town Assessor, served as a member and Past Chairman of the Grafton Planning Board and was a bookkeeper to the Town Supervisor during various terms throughout the seventies and eighties. Her passion for the medical field led her to become an EMT and a tireless member of the Grafton Rescue Squad. She was also a member of the medical team for the Ski Patrol at Jiminy Peak.
The resolution says, “Lois L. Gundrum will be missed by her family – her husband, Rynard, her mother, Alta, her daughter, Ingrid, her son, Rynard (Susan), her grandchildren, Francesca, Olivia and Tyler, her brother, Jeffrey (Sissy), her mother-in-law, Charlotte, her brothers-in-law, Gordon (Joan), George, Peter, Jerry, Charles and John, her sisters-in-law, Virginia (George), Rita (Jim), Susan (Wayne) and Sally, as well as her many friends, employees and acquaintances. Be it resolved that the Rensselaer County Legislature concludes its deliberations in memory of Lois L. Gundrum and extends its deepest sympathy to her family, fully confident that her contributions to her community will live on to serve as a legacy for all.”
The Clerk of the Legislature will transmit a copy of the resolution, suitably engrossed, to the family of Lois L. Gundrum.
Appointments
Two area residents were appointed to Boards at this session of the Legislature. Katie Fiske of Taconic Lake Road in Petersburgh was appointed to the County Fire Advisory Board. Omer Brenenstuhl of 129 Brenenstuhl Road in Hoosick was appointed as the Grange Representative to the County Soil and Water Conservation Board.
Winter Roads
Another snowstorm on Tuesday meant that the condition of the roads in the County was on the minds of Stan Brownell and Lester Goodermote, who represent the towns of Stephentown, Petersburgh, Berlin, Grafton, Hoosick and the Village of Hoosick Falls. In an interview after the meeting Brownell said, “All of the highway departments [in District 5] have done a fantastic job this winter.” He said, and Goodermote concurred, that they have not received any phone calls with complaints about the roads. Brownell, however, sees a crisis looming because the County has already used 3/4 of the road salt for which it contracted. He said there are rumors that road salt is in short supply and the price for it will go way up. This will put a lot of budgetary pressure on the County and on the towns if they run out of road salt in February or early March. Goodermote noted that the price of fuel oil has soared, which will also put pressure on municipalities as well as individual homeowners.
One speculation is that market manipulation of oil prices, not supply and demand, is driving prices up and hurting, as usual, the people least likely to afford the added expense.