Obituary of Chauncey B. Newkirk

Chauncey "Buddy" Newkirk, a lifelong resident of Wurtsboro passed away quietly on Friday, March 4, 2011. The son of the late Charlotte Beatrice LeFever and Percy Borrows Newkirk, he was born May 28, 1920 in Otisville. At age 17, Bud was drafted into the US Army and was placed in the 495 Engineers Co. unattached and unassigned. He served in Leyte-Luzon and Australia receiving five medals including the Bronze Star. He was instrumental in the formation of the Mamakating Bicentennial Group, and the Rock Hill and Wurtsboro Fire Departments. He belonged to the Veterans Firemen's Association of Middletown and was also a former member of the Middletown Elks, the Sons of Italy, Teamsters Local 210 and the Mamakating Historical Society. He was predeceased by his loving wife Rose Piccino Newkirk whom he married on September 11, 1948; a sister: Justine VanBuren; and a son-in-law: Michael Dolan. He is survived by his daughters: Toni Haley & her husband Jack, and Charlotte Dolan and her daughter Caitlin Rose; his wonderful sisters-in-law: Rita Malatesta and Elizabeth Piccino; and many nieces and nephews, whom he loved very much; and his faithful cat Bama. Visitation will be held on Monday, March 7, 2011 from 3-7pm at the VanInwegen-Kenny, Inc. Funeral Home, 111 Sullivan Street in Wurtsboro. His funeral mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, March 8, 2011 at 10:00am at St. Joseph's Church, 180 Sullivan Street in Wurtsboro with Fr. Peter Madori officiating. Interment of his ashes will be held at the Sylvan Cemetery in Wurtsboro at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to a local charity of one's choice. "It's been a nice life and I enjoyed almost all of it." Arrangements are under the direction of the VanInwegen-Kenny, Inc. Funeral Home of Wurtsboro. For additional information please visit www.kennyfuneralhome.com