Herkimer: Thomas E. Peckay of Herkimer, NY, born in Little Falls, NY on April 30, 1922, son of the late Thomas and Anna (Posetta) Peckay, died Saturday January 17, 2009 at St. Luke’s Hospital, Utica. Thomas attended local schools before joining the Civil Conservation Corps. While in the CC’s, he worked locally in the Boonville, NY area and also spent time in the forests of the Pacific Northwest. Upon returning home to Little Falls, he was employed in the shoe manufacturing business prior to his enlistment in the United States Army. After completion of basic training, Mr. Peckay received advanced training as a combat engineer. He was assigned to the 223rd Engineer Combat Battalion, and with his “outfit,” participated in “The Forgotten War” against the Japanese in the Alaskan Aleutian Islands. Upon his honorable discharge from the Army in December of 1945, Mr. Peckay returned to Little Falls where he would meet and marry his wife of 62 years, Dolores Perry of Herkimer. He soon thereafter began his career as a heavy equipment operator for the United States Government at Griffiss Air Force Base in Rome, NY. Always the craftsman, he built his home in East Herkimer and assisted many relatives and friends with their building projects. He had a toolbox for each building trade, from carpentry to plumbing, masonry to electricity, and used them to help all those who asked. When not plowing snow at Griffiss or remodeling someone’s kitchen, he found time to help organize the Herkimer Chapter of the Disabled American Veterans. He served as Adjutant of the Herkimer DAV for a number of years. He also loved to travel, and his last trip was to the World War II Veterans Memorial in Washington DC. Thomas leaves behind his wife Dolores (Perry) Peckay; one daughter, Cheryl (Peckay) Baggetta of Johnstown, NY and her husband Dominick. He also leaves two loving grandchildren, Matthew and Nicole Baggetta, both of Boston, MA. Relatives and friends are invited to attend his calling hours on Monday, January 19, 2009 from 5:00 to 7:00 pm, at the Enea Family Funeral Home, 220 N. Washington Street, Herkimer, NY 13350 (866-1011). Thomas’ funeral will commence on Tuesday, January 20, 2009 at 9:30 am with prayer at the funeral home. Procession will follow to St. Francis de Sales Church, where the Reverend Mark Cunningham will celebrate his Funeral Mass at 10:00 am. Thomas’ interment, with full military honors, will take place at Calvary Cemetery, Herkimer in the spring at a time to be announced. Donations in Thomas’ memory may be made to St. Francis de Sales Church, Herkimer, NY; St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis TN, or to a charity of your choice. All arrangements are with Harry J. Enea, Jr. of the Enea Family Funeral Home, Herkimer, NY 13350. If you wish to add to Thomas’ online memorials, you may visit our website at www.eneafamily.com.