Pittstown – Arthur E. Gifford, 61, died peacefully Sunday, January 18, 2009, at his longtime Groveside residence in the town of Pittstown, NY, with his family by his side, following a long illness.
Born May 29, 1947, in Hoosick Falls, NY, Mr. Gifford was the son of the late Ira E. and Edna V. (Dutcher) Gifford and the husband for over 35 years of Barbara (Ellis) Gifford of Groveside, who survives. Arthur and Barbara were married on August 3, 1973.
Mr. Gifford was a graduate of Hoosick Falls High School. He was inducted into the United States Army in July 1968 and served a tour of duty in Vietnam with his unit, the 2nd Battalion, 5th Mechanized Division, out of Fort Hood, TX. During his service he earned the rank of Sergeant in August 1969, became an expert marksman with both M-14 and M-16 rifles and was awarded the Silver Star, two Bronze Service Stars, a Bronze Service Medal and a Purple Heart. He was honorably discharged to the U.S. Army Reserve in July 1970.
For almost 40 years, Mr. Gifford was employed by the Rensselaer County Highway Department. He worked his way through the ranks and was promoted to the position of Road Supervisor. He retired in July 2008. He was a member of the Boyntonville United Methodist Church, the V.F.W. Post #1332 in Bennington, VT, and the American Legion Post in Hoosick Falls. In his quiet time he enjoyed people-watching, enjoyed nature by “patrolling the perimeter,” walking through the neighboring woods and fields. He was an avid outdoorsman who liked to hike, hunt and fish.
In addition to his beloved wife, his survivors include a son, Terry R. and his wife Amy Gifford of Johnsonville, NY, a daughter, Kelly Jean Gifford and Timothy Hayes of Hoosick Falls, a brother, Tony and his wife Phyllis DiMaggio of Boyntonville, NY, a sister, Marie and husband Jerry McAuliffe of Hoosick Falls, his mother-in-law, Charlotte A. Ellis of Groveside, a sister-in-law, Mary Jane and husband Ronald Eddy of Hoosick Falls, two grandchildren, Riley Clare Hayes and Sophie Grace Hayes, both of Hoosick Falls, several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and his buddy, “Poppa’s Cat.” He was pre-deceased by two sisters, Lillian Zareski and Angela O’Brien, a brother, Terry DiMaggio, a brother-in-law, Robert P. Ellis, and a special nephew, Jeffrey A. DiMaggio.
A funeral service was held at 11 am on Thursday, January 22, at the Howard B. Tate & Son Funeral Home Inc, 2237 NY Route 7, located in Raymertown, NY, with Rev. Gaylord Campbell officiating. Burial with military honors will be held at Warren Cemetery in Boyntonville later this spring. Relatives and friends called at the funeral home on Wednesday, January 21, from 1 to 3 and 6 to 8 pm.
At the request of the family, flowers sent to cheer a neighbor or a contribution to Community Hospice, 295 Valley View Blvd. Rensselaer, NY, 12144, or the Karen McGovern Fund, P.O. Box 132, Hoosick Falls, NY, 12090, in memory of Arthur E. Gifford would be greatly appreciated.