Obituary of Leonard W. Dayton

DELHI Leonard W. Dayton, 86, of Delhi, died January 8, 2014 at O'Connor Hospital, Delhi. He was born on June 18, 1927 in the Town of Kortright, the son of Frederick and Willa Mae (Grant) Dayton. He married Josephine "Jo" Stokes on June 24, 1951 in Delhi. Lenny graduated from Delaware Academy in 1945 and attended Syracuse University until his return to Delhi to help run the family's business - Dayton's Garage. He was a car salesman in the area for 50 years where many good and lasting friendships were made. His last employment was for Wickham Sales & Service for 20 years up until his retirement. A 50 year volunteer for the Delhi Fire Department, Lenny was awarded the distinction of Fireman of the Year in 1997 and worked with the Fire Police until his retirement. He enjoyed hunting and fishing. Annual trips were made to Huntly Hollow in Downsville to hunt and spend time with family and dear friends. Lenny loved to watch sports and spend time with friends and family, including his two grandchildren and the love of his life, Jo. He is survived by his wife, Josephine "Jo" Dayton of Delhi; a son, Frederick Warren & Ann Dayton of Binghamton; 2 daughters, JoAnn Drabo & companion Stuart Potter of Endicott and Elizabeth and Marc Forstell of Scotia; 2 grandchildren, Nichole & Chad Forstell of Scotia; a brother in law, Charles Stokes of Bainbridge; and several cousins. He was predeceased by 2 siblings, Randall Dayton of Rensselaer and Jane B. Fitch of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. Friends are invited to greet the family from 2 to 4 p.m. on Friday, January 17, 2014 at the MacArthur Funeral Home, Delhi, where a memorial service will take place immediately following at 4 p.m., with Rev. Bert More officiating. Guests are invited to join the family after the service at the Delhi Fire Department, 140 Delview Terrace Ext., Delhi, for food and refreshments. Burial will take place in the spring at Riverside Cemetery, Bloomville. The family would like to thank Kathy Casey & Ann Marie Thurgood, RN, of Hospice & also the nurses and staff at O'Connor Hospital for their compassion and care. Donations in Lenny's memory are asked to be made to Catskill Area Hospice & Palliative Care, 116 Main St, Delhi, NY 13753 or the Delhi Fire Department, PO Box 405, Delhi, NY 13753. Those who wish to share condolences or a special memory may do so on-line at www.macarthurfh.com. Arrangements are by the MacArthur Funeral Home of Delhi.