Jesse Walter Dayton
Retired BCI Investigator, 61

Jesse Walter Dayton of Westport died at the Elizabethtown Community Hospital on Thursday, April 28, 2011 after a long illness. He was 61.
He was born January 25, 1950 in Liberty to Joseph and Margaret (Lewis) Dayton. The youngest of four children, Jesse grew up in Livingston Manor, where he graduated from high school in 1969.
After graduation, Jesse attended the SUNY College of Forestry in Syracuse for two years before returning home to care for his ailing father. After working in construction and for the Sullivan County Highway Department, Jesse entered the NY State Police Academy in 1977. He married Barbara Schultz in 1969. He and Barbara decided to move to Westport in 1985 because it was where “the snow didn’t get rained on.” Together, they built their own home and raised three children. Jesse worked for the NY State Police for 23 years, retiring as an investigator with the Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI). He retired in 2001, but returned to work in the aftermath of September 11, 2001.
Jesse will be remembered for his love of hard work and his unparalleled passion for lively discourse. He was an avid sailor and handler for his wife’s athletic pursuits. Jesse and Barb bicycled across the United States on several occasions and also cycled through Ireland with friends. Jesse appreciated good food and a good story; he loved his family and any and all projects, building and designing two houses for his family, raising and training animals large and small. He was a curious, intelligent and engaged citizen of the world who loved to take out a map and plan adventures. Jesse was extremely well-known and admired.
He is survived by his wife of 42 years and their three children, Rebecca Dayton of Keene Valley, NY, Joe Dayton and his wife Hannah Barnes of Deland, FL, and Morgan Gibson and her son, Jesse’s grandson, Henry Gibson of Westport. Jesse is also survived by his sisters, Mary and her husband Merritt Madison, and Nancy and her husband Harold Madison, and his brother Joseph and his wife Candy Dayton, as well as many extended family and friends.  A beloved stepson, Jon, pre-deceased Jesse.
A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, May 3, 2011 at the Westport Federated Church.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Elizabethtown Community Hospital or the Westport Fire and Rescue.
Arrangements are being handled by W.M. Marvin and Sons Funeral Home in Westport.

Charles C. ‘Chuck’ Griffin, III
Handyman, 59

Charles C. “Chuck” Griffin, III of Jeffersonville, a handyman and longtime area resident, died Thursday, April 28, 2011 at his home. He was 59.
The son of the late Charles C. Griffin Jr. and Ann L. Hicks Griffin, he was born July 31, 1951 in Brooklyn.
Chuck was an avid reader and enjoyed music.
Survivors include two sisters, Virginia “Ginny” Bernhardt, and Carol Kaufmann and her husband George; one brother, Gerald “Gerry” Griffin; one niece, Jessica Lynn Kistler; and many friends.
Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, May 3, 2011 at Harris Funeral Home, West St. at Buckley, in Liberty.
Memorial contributions in Chuck’s name may be made to a charity of one’s choice.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Harris Funeral Home, West St. at Buckley, Liberty, NY. 845-292-0001 or 845-439-5200 www.Harris-FH.com