Dale D. Wright

Dale D. Wrightof Newark Valley Those we love don't go away, they walk beside us every day. Unseen, unheard but always near. So loved, so missed, so very dear. Our hearts were broken on February 14, 2009 by the sudden and unexpected passing of our beloved husband, father, son, grandfather, great-grandfather and brother, Dale D. Wright. Dale is survived by his loving wife and best friend of almost 42 years, Kathleen, (known as Kathy to her friends and MA to her Hunk- Dale) and their devoted and cherished children and spouses, SMSgt Dale and Kalista Wright, N.C., Tammy and William Thompson, Ind., Thomas and Jodi Wright, Berkshire, Dennis and Jackie Wright, Richford, Patricia and Raymond Schermerhorn, Pa.; his parents, Dwight and Frances Wright, Fla. He will also be greatly missed by his adored grandchildren, Ashlee, Andrew, Chelsey, Taylor, Megan, Justin, Nicholas, Chad, Jaren, Darrah, Joslyn; great-grandchildren, Maddison, Kaidence, Donovan; his siblings, Richard (Barbara) Wright, Peg (Robert) Benjamin, Darrell (Sue) Wright; and Kathy's brothers and sisters, Charles, Bernice, Joyce, Bob, Carolyn, Linda, Gordon, Bill, Joe, David; and stepbrothers and sisters, Linda, Louise, Nancy, Ronnie, Joyce, Carol, Janet, Janice, Little Kathy and their spouses. He was predeceased by Kathy's siblings, Hazel, Freddy and her stepbrother, Butch. Dale had numerous great friends and considered his neighbors, Jim and John Ward, Sharon Brown and his "right-hand" girl at Agway/Suburban, Rachel Howland, among the very best. Dale was born on April 28, 1945 in Endicott. He was a graduate of Owego Free Academy ('63) and Cobleskill College ('65). A Vietnam era veteran, he served two years in the U.S. Army and then as a reservist until 1971. On October 14, 1967 he married his sweetheart, Kathy Benjamin. For 42 years Dale has loyally provided heating oil for his local community as an independent contract hauler for Agway/Suburban. He was a member of Newark Valley United Methodist Church. Many of his happiest times were spent vacationing and fishing with his family on his boat in the Thousand Islands.Dale's family will receive friends on Tuesday from 5-9 p.m. at the MacPherson Funeral Home, Newark Valley. A funeral service and celebration of his life will be held there at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday with Kathy's brother, Rev. William Benjamin, officiating. Interment will follow in Hope Cemetery, Newark Valley, where Military Honors will be accorded.