Edward F. Ackerly Feb. 10, 1921~Sept. 7, 2010 ROSCOE _ United States Veteran Edward F. Ackerly, 89, of Walton, formerly of Roscoe, and Mission, Texas, passed away peacefully Tuesday, Sept. 7, 2010. His family had been by his side for several days. Mr. Ackerly was born and raised in Roscoe. After graduating from Roscoe High School, he worked at the Alcoa Aluminum plant in Bridgeport, Conn., helping switch the plant from washing machines to armaments for W.W.II. He volunteered for the Air Force, then enlisted in the Army Paratroopers, serving in the 503rd Airborne in the South Pacific. He jumped on Corregidor in the Manila Harbor for which the 503rd became famous. He was a recipient of the Purple Heart. After the war, he returned to Roscoe and eloped with the former Elizabeth (Bette) Keeler, on Halloween, 1945. They first lived in Brooklyn, where he worked as an electrician's assistant at the St. Regis Hotel. Mr. Ackerly always loved New York, but thought that Roscoe was a better place to raise children. He and Bette brought up their three sons in Roscoe in the house where he had grown up. He continued to work as an electrician, bringing electricity to many rural homes for the first time. Mr. Ackerly was active in community affairs. Soon after returning to Roscoe, he joined the Roscoe Volunteer Fire Department. He was elected fire chief and served for five years. He was commander of the American Legion in Roscoe. Later he was elected a town assessor. He was also an elected town councilman for 12 years. For many years he was a town constable, member of the Republican Committee, and on the Riverview Cemetery Board of Directors. He continued to be active in fire department related organizations. He was past president of the Sullivan County Firefighters Association. He also served on the Board of the County Fire Commissioners and the State Fire Advisory Board. During this time he helped establish a burn center in Albany and served on the facility's board of directors. He was also a F&A Mason. In 1960, he bought the Roscoe Dairy which he operated with Bette and his sons until he sold it in 1978. He continued to work part-time for several years. He and Bette headed south, first Florida and then Texas. In 1985, they became residents of Mission, Texas. Every summer they returned north to spend time with their son, Tom's family in Walton and their son, Scott's family on Plum Island, Mass. He and Bette traveled extensively cris-crossing America, visiting all 48 contiguous states and all of the national parks. Ed would be the first to admit he had a good life. He loved public affairs, helping people, telling stories, classic movies, walking, and learning about all the places he visited.