Gerald W. Chestney

PINE PLAINS — Gerald W. Chestney, 80, of Pine Plains, died April 3, 2016, at Sharon Hospital, surrounded by family.

He was born May 26, 1935, to Mary Violet (Folger) and Gerald H. Chestney in Albany, N.Y. 

Jerry attended Bethlehem Central School in Delmar, N.Y., and Simmons School of Mortuary Science in Syracuse, N.Y. 

Following two years of military service in the U.S. Army, he came to work at Peck & Peck Funeral Homes in Copake and Pine Plains.

There he met Elizabeth Frueh of Craryville. They were married in the Copake Methodist Church on June 27, 1959, by the Rev. Joseph Ary and settled in Pine Plains.

Jerry came to Pine Plains in 1958 to work as a funeral director for Peck & Peck Funeral Homes. He worked closely with C. Buel Peck for many years and eventually became the owner the funeral homes in 1985. He was very proud to have mentored Scott Chwalek, Jeffrey Proper and his son, Christopher, who have carried on the proud tradition of funeral service in Copake and Pine Plains. 

In 1985, Jerry was also honored with the opportunity to purchase Dapson Funeral Home in Rhinebeck.

 Through the years Jerry was a member of several churches including the Pine Plains United Methodist Church, where he served as a trustee, the Rowe UMC and most recently the Pine Plains Presbyterian Church. He was widely recognized as a gifted lay speaker.

Jerry was active in the Pine Plains Lions Club, having served many years as secretary and president; the Pine Plains Hose Company No. 1 and Rescue Squad, serving as treasurer; Stissing Lodge No. 615 F & A.M. serving as master and in other offices; president of the Board of Trustees of the Pine Plains Free Library; secretary and treasurer of the Pine Plains Food Pantry; and member of the Board of Directors of the Stissing National Bank. 

 Jerry proudly marched every Memorial Day for numerous years with the honor guard.

He was an avid sports enthusiast. For many years he bowled with the Pine Plains Thursday night league, played tennis with friends and family and rooted for the Yankees. Pine Plains Little League and mens softball players will remember his many years as a home plate umpire and his unique call: “Strike three.”

Jerry is survived by his wife, Betty, of 56 years; his daughter Cathy Fitzpatrick and her husband, Bill, of Pine Plains; his son, Chris Chestney and his wife, Carol, of Rhinebeck; his granddaughter Bridget McDonnell and her husband, Zach, and their  daughter, Aylee, of Pine Plains; his grandson, Scott Fit and his wife, Kaitlyn, and their children, Ella and Emmett of Pine Plains; his granddaughter, Samantha; his grandsons, Matt and Andy of Rhinebeck; a sister Betty Doyle and her husband, Doug, of Stanfordville; a niece, Kim Deal and her husband, Jeff, of Troy, N.Y., and their children, Melissa and Jacob, also of Troy; a nephew, Sean Doyle of Texas; Acousin, Bill Larmon and his wife, Joanne, of Lee, Mass.; a brother-in-law, Henry Frueh of Hudson, N.Y.; extended family in Canberra, Australia; an AFS exchange daughter, Andrea Griffiths I’Anson and her husband, Keith, and their daughter, Kate, their son Thomas and his wife, Natalia, and their children Denika, Lexia and Callie; and several cousins and many friends.

Calling hours will be held Wednesday, April 6, from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. at the Peck & Peck Funeral Home in  Pine Plains. Members of the Pine Plains Hose Co. will conduct a service at 7:30 p.m. 

Funeral services are Thursday, April 7, 11 a.m. at the Pine Plains United Presbyterian Church. Interment will follow at Evergreen Cemetery.

To recognize Jerry’s numerous community affiliations memorial donations may be made to any of the organizations he supported in the community.