Honor A Veteran

Date of Ceremony	Name of Deceased Veteran
January 11, 2010	Kenneth J. Tremont
February 8, 2010	Arthur Ernest Gifford
March 8, 2010	John J. Devine, Jr.
April 12, 2010	John H. Wilkes, Jr.
May 10, 2010	Martin Pechenik
June 14, 2010	Seymour Fischer
July 12, 2010	Nicholas P. Clemente
August 9, 2010	(None)
September 13, 2010
October 12, 2010
November 8, 2010
December 13, 2010

Family History:
Kenneth J. Tremont was born in Schodack, New York on August 23, 1913 to parents John P. and Mary (Moran) Tremont. Kenneth had one sisters, Elizabeth. He grew up in Schodack, Nassau, the Averill Park area and moved with his wife Dorothy from Lyons Lake, Nassau to Sheer Road in Averill Park in 1948.

History:
Ken enlisted in the United States Navy on March 3, 1944 in Rensselaer, New York. Carpenter’s Mate Third Class Tremont served during World War II in Balboa in the Panama Canal Zone. He was honorably discharged on December 10, 1945 and was awarded the WWII Victory Medal and the American Theatre Medal.

Ken married Dorothy (Richards) Tremont on January 31, 1937 in Averill Park, New York and from that union they had two sons; Kenneth E. Sr. and Dennis H. Sr. and one daughter, Jacqueline. They were blessed with 7 grandchildren; Kathleen, Kimberly, Kenneth Jr., Dennis Jr., Sonja, Jennie and Brett.

Work Experience:
Ken lived with the Boyce Family and began working for their family lumber company, Boyce Lumber, around the age of 15 years old. He later was employed with Pollock Lumber in downtown Troy and also worked at the Eagle Mills Farm. In 1958, Ken and Dorothy started their own lumber business, Ken Tremont Lumber. After 20 years, Ken retired from his business in 1978.

Community Activities / Organizations:
He was a member of Sgt. Walter A. Adams Post 1021 of the American Legion in Averill Park, Sullivan-Jones Veterans of Foreign Wars Post in Poestenkill, St. Henry’s Church in Averill Park, Averill Park Rod and Gun Club, West Sand Lake, Averill Park and Sand Lake Volunteer Fire Departments, a founding member of the Stephentown Rod and Gun Club, Sand Lake Kiwanis Club, Rensselaer County Farm Bureau and Northeast Lumbermen’s Association. In his spare time, Ken enjoyed playing golf.

Sadly, Kenneth J. Tremont passed away on December 22, 1980 and is buried in Nassau Cemetery in Nassau, New York.

FAMILY HISTORY:
Arthur Ernest Gifford was born in Hoosick Falls, New York on May 29, 1947 to parents Ira E. and Edna Viola (Dutcher) Gifford. Arthur had three sister; Mary, Lillian and Angela and two brother; Anthony and Terry. He grew up in Groveside in the town of Pittstown where he resided his entire life.

HISTORY:
Art enlisted in the United States Army on July 12, 1968 in Troy, New York. Sergeant Gifford served during the Vietnam War in the 2^nd Battalion, 5^th Mechanized Division, out of Fort Hood, Texas. He became an expert marksman with both M-14 and M-16 rifles. He was honorably discharged on July 1, 1974 and was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Expert (Rifle M-14), Marksman (Rifle M-16), Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Bronze Star Medal, Vietnam Service Medal w/2 Bronze Service Stars, Combat Infantryman Badge, Silver Star and Purple Heart.

PERSONAL:
Art married Barbara Ann (Ellis) Gifford on August 3, 1973 in Melrose, New York and from that union they had one son; Terry Robert and one daughter; Kelly Jean. They were blessed with 2 grandchildren; Riley Clare and Sophie Grace.

WORK EXPERIENCE:
Art was employed by the Rensselaer County Highway Department and he worked his way up through the ranks and was promoted to the position of road supervisor. He retired in July 2008 after 40 years of dedicated service.

COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES/ORGANIZATIONS:
He was a member of the Boyntonville United Methodist Church, the American Legion Post in Hoosick Falls, New York, an honor guard for the V.F.W. Post #1332 in Bennington, VT, and a member of the Stateline Riders Motorcycle Club. His favorite hobbies were fishing, hunting and walking the perimeter of Groveside. Art also took part in the Cancer Walk held in Bennington, VT.

Sadly, Arthur E. Gifford passed away on January 18, 2009 and was buried with military honors at Warren Cemetery in Boyntonville, New York.

FAMILY HISTORY:
John Joseph Devine, Jr. was born in Albany, New York on June 21, 1923 to parents John J., Sr. and Mary (Lasher) Devine. He grew up in Albany, but after the war he purchased a home in Hampton Manor, New York under the GI Bill. He and his wife lived at that address until their passing.

EDUCATION:
John graduated from Christian Brothers Academy in 1942 and attended Russell Sage College.

HISTORY:
John enlisted in the United States Army Air Corps. on January 8, 1943 in Albany, New York. First Lieutenant Devine flew 59 combat missions during World War II in the Southwest Pacific Theatre as a B-24 bombardier using high altitude precision bombing, using Norden and Sperry bombsights. He flew a total of 750 flying hours of which 435 flying hours were in combat. The majority of his combat time, he was squadron lead and group lead bombardier. He was honorably discharged on June 20, 1945 and was awarded the Air Medal with three oak leaf clusters, Asiatic-Pacific theatre ribbon with three battle stars for New Guinea, Bismarck Archipelago and Philippines Campaigns and Philippine Liberation ribbon with one battle star.

PERSONAL:
John Jr. married Veronica “Sis” Reith Devine on June 24, 1942 in Albany, New York and from that union they had three sons: Jack, Jim and Paul and three daughters: Gail, Donna and Denice. They were blessed with 12 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

WORK EXPERIENCE:
John was employed by the New York State Division of Veterans’ Affairs. He retired as Deputy Director in 1986 after 44 years of dedicated service.

COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES/ORGANIZATIONS:
He was a communicant of the St. John/St. Ann’s Church in Albany, a member of the Knights of Columbus #173, the North Albany American Legion Post, the North Albany Limericks, the Sheehy-Palmer VFW Post, a founding member of the Irish Heritage Society of America, a lifetime charter member of the National WW II Memorial. John was town chairman of the East Greenbush Democratic Committee and served for 9 years on the Rensselaer County Democratic Executive Committee, a trustee and chairman of the Albany Elks Lodge #49. He was active in his community with the East Greenbush Little League and Babe Ruth League. His family always came first, especially his grandchildren. Jack enjoyed golf, travel and fraternal organizations.

Sadly, John J. Devine, Jr. passed away on August 26, 2004 and was buried at Calvary Cemetery in Glenmont, New York.

John H. Wilkes, Jr. was born in Brooklyn, New York on February 6, 1925 to parents John H., Sr. and Anna (Lennon) Wilkes. He is an only child.

John was educated at St. Paul’s School in Troy and graduated from Troy High School.

John was inducted into the United States Army on April 6, 1943 in Albany, New York. Army Recruit Wilkes was sent to the U.S. Army’s Training Facility located at Camp Blanding, Florida for his basic training. Following recruit training, Private Wilkes was sent to Camp Robinson, Arkansas for Advance Infantry Training (AIT). After graduating from AIT, Private First Class Wilkes was assigned to Co. E. 2^nd Bn. 141^st Infantry Regiment, 36 Infantry Division as a basic infantry rifleman and truck driver. The 36^th Infantry Division was also known as the Fighting 36^th, the Panther Division, or the Texas Division, and at the time was a modular division of the United States Army Texas National Guard. It was activated for service in World War II on November 25, 1940, and was sent overseas in April 1943. After 400 days of combat, the Division was returned to the United States. It was deactivated on December 15, 1945. The 36^th was also recognized by the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum as a liberating unit for their work securing the sub-camps of the Dachau concentration camp system. Private First Class Wilkes served in both the American and European Theatres of Operations. He was honorably discharged on November 23, 1945 and was awarded two Bronze Star Medals, Purple Heart (for wounds received in action on October 26, 1944), Presidential Unit Citation, Combat Infantry Badge, American Campaign Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign medal with 7 Battle Stars for (Naples-Foggia, Anzio, Rome-Arno, Southern France, Rhineland, Ardennes-Alsace and Central Europe Campaigns). He also earned a Bronze Arrowhead for the Southern France invasion, World War II Victory Medal, Army Occupation Medal with Germany Clasp, New York State Conspicuous Service Cross with 3 Silver Cross Attachments (which is the highest award given in New York State), New York State Conspicuous Service Star and Honorable Discharge Lapel Pin.

John Jr. married Margaret (McCabe) Wilkes on May 24, 1945 at St. Peter’s Church in Troy, New York and from that union they had two daughters: Patricia and Lorraine. They were blessed with four grandchildren: Keith, Tina, Amy and William and 4 great-grandchildren: Adriana, Kayla, Kaitlyn and Ethan.

John was employed as a United States Post Office worker and a union representative.

He was a communicant of Sacred Heart Church in Watervliet, New York, a life member and past Commander of the Disabled American Veterans, Chapter 38 Rev. Francis A. Kelley, and the Military Order of the Purple Heart, Arthur Willi Chapter #17, National Association of Retired Federal Employees, and charter member of The Tri Cities Chapter #17 and the Watervliet Elks Lodge #1500. John enjoyed helping out other veterans and taking part in veteran activities; such as parades, meetings and fundraisers. He also enjoyed collecting coins and stamps.

Sadly, John H. Wilkes, Jr. passed away on June 30, 2001 and was buried at St. Peter’s Cemetery in Troy, New York.

Martin Pechenik was born in Brooklyn, New York on January 8, 1919 to parents Michael and Mamie (Feldman) Pechenik. Martin had two brothers: Harold and Albert and three sisters: Irene, Sylvia and Harriet. He lived in New York City during his younger years and relocated to the Nassau, New York area where he lived until his passing.

Martin graduated in 1935 from Thomas Jefferson High School in Brooklyn, New York.

Martin was inducted into the United States Army on April 10, 1942 in Albany, New York. Private First Class Pechenick was assigned to Battery C 551^st A A A Battalion and his military occupation was a medical lab technician and infantry rifleman. Private First Class Pechenik served in the Central Europe Campaign and Rhineland Battle of World War II. He was honorably discharged on October 30, 1945 and was awarded the American Service Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Service Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, and Good Conduct Medal.

Martin Pechenik married Bernice (Beeber) Pechenik on February 1, 1947 in Brooklyn, New York and from that union they had two daughters: Janis and Marcia and one son Stephen. They were blessed with five grandchildren: Julia, Clifton, Natalie, Jeffrey and Iris.

Martin was employed as a production manager of Imperial Pens in Nassau, NY from 1945 to 1953; Plastic Manufacturer from 1953 to 1956; turkey farmer from 1952 to 1955, independent businessman from 1956 to 1966; manufacturers’ representative from 1966 to 1971; financial planner from 1971 until retirement and he was a farmer from 1955 until his passing.

His favorite pastime was farming and didn’t belong to any organizations. He enjoyed raising turkeys and race horses.

Sadly, Martin Pechenick passed away on July 21, 1996 and was buried on the family farm in Nassau, New York.

FAMILY HISTORY:
Seymour Fischer was born in Frankfort, New York on June 11, 1920 to parents Filmore and Mary (Davenport) Fischer. Seymour (Sy) had four brothers: Filmore, Jr., Edward, Arthur and Harold and four sisters: Gladys, Evelyn, Marjorie and Mildred. He grew up in Frankfort, NY and later moved to Jamaica, NY, Albany, NY and East Greenbush, NY where he lived until his passing.

HISTORY:
Sy was inducted into the United States Army Air Corp. in February 7, 1942 in Jamaica, New York. Corporal Fischer served in the Western Pacific Campaign of World War II. His military occupation was a cook. While in the military, he also attended the Chemical Warfare School. He was honorably discharged on October 27, 1945 and was awarded the American Theater Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Theater Medal and Good Conduct Medal.

PERSONAL:
Seymour “Sy” Fischer married Katherine (McCormick) Fischer on July 19, 1947 in Frankfort, New York and from that union they had one daughter, Sandy and five sons: William, Gary, Robert, James and Thomas. They were blessed with 12 grandchildren: Ashley, Matthew, Nicole, Abby, Thomas, Shannon, Katherine, Joel, Tony, Robert, Jr., Michelle and Shane and nineteen great-grandchildren. In September 2003, Seymour’s wife, Seaman First Class Katherine Fischer was honored at the Rensselaer County Honor a Deceased Veteran’s ceremony.

WORK EXPERIENCE:
Sy retired in 1983 from the Town of East Greenbush as a treatment plant operator.

COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES/ORGANIZATIONS:
He was a life member and past commander of American Legion Melvin Roads Post 1231 in East Greenbush, bartender at the Post, bingo chairman of the Post for over 30 years, member of V.F.W. East Greenbush, instrumental in starting the C.S.E.A. Union for Town of East Greenbush employees and a member of the Community Congregational Church. Sy did fundraisers for the East Greenbush Fire Department, enjoyed playing Santa Clause, organizing functions at Melvin Roads Post and managed a Melvin Roads Post baseball team. He was a history buff, loved the New York Yankees and New York Giants, enjoyed watching television and playing cards.

Sadly, Seymour Fischer passed away on March 1, 2009 and was buried in Greenbush Cemetery, East Greenbush, NY.

Nicholas Paul Clemente was born in Troy, New York on August 5, 1953 to parents Nicholas and Carolyn (Coville) Clemente. Nicholas had one brother, Timothy and two sisters: Pamela (his twin) and Laurie. He was raised in Troy, New York.

Nicholas was inducted into the United States Army on October 1, 1971 in Albany, New York. Army Specialist Fourth Class Clemente served during the Vietnam War in the light weapons infantry and as a motion picture photographer. He was honorably discharged on September 30, 1974 and was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal and Sharpshooter (rifle) Badge.

Nicholas P. Clemente married Sandra (Rockefeller) Clemente on January 6, 1979 at Sacred Heart Church in Troy, New York. From that union they had two sons: Christopher and Brian and one daughter, Angela. They were blessed with 2 grandchildren: Collin and Ryan.

Nick was employed as a plumber for M & B Plumbing and Charles Ashline Plumbing in Albany, N.Y. for many years prior to retiring due to poor health. He was a commercial photographer for the “Stars & Stripes” Newspaper.

He was a member of the American Legion Post #1489 in Wynantskill, N.Y., the Vietnam Veterans Motorcycle Club and a communicant of Sacred Heart Church in Troy, N.Y.

Sadly, Nicholas P. Clemente passed away on June 11, 2009 and was buried in Gerald BH Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery in Schuylerville, N.Y.