Peter Paul Dempsey, 85, of Red Hook

Peter Paul Dempsey, 85, a longtime Red Hook resident, passed away on Monday, March 20, 2017, at home surrounded by family.

Born on May 19, 1931, in New York, N.Y., he was the son of the late Patrick Joseph and Bridget (Markey) Dempsey. On May 19, 1956 in Astoria, N.Y., Peter married the love of his life, Eileen A. McKeon, who predeceased him on July 28, 1995.

Peter served in the U.S. Navy. Following his military service, he served as a Patrolman with the New York City Police Department based in Harlem. He went on to work as an assistant mechanic with PepsiCo in Long Island City.

Active in his community, Peter was a longtime communicant of St. Christopher’s Church in Red Hook and was a member of their Holy Name Society, as well as the adult choir.

An avid sports fan, Peter was a diehard Brooklyn Dodgers and NY Giants fan. One of his greatest loves was Red Hook High School Athletics. “Mr. Dempsey,” as he was affectionately known by the Red Hook students and parents, was a fixture at countless Red Hook sporting events spanning many years.

He is survived by his loving children, Kathleen (Douglas) Cook of Red Hook, Eileen (Matt) Parr of Red Hook, Barbara (Wayne) Coons of Red Hook, Patrick “PJ” (Linda) Dempsey of Germantown, Maureen (Dale) Hoose of Germantown, and Annemarie (Fiancé Paul Simmons) Dempsey of Hurley; his sister, Sr. Barbara Dempsey of Brentwood, N.Y.; his brother, John (Kathleen) Dempsey of Pearl River, N.Y.; his loving grandchildren, Logan Cook, Marley Cook, Macashin Parr, Nolan Parr, Padraic Parr, Marist Parr, Chandler Coons, Justin Dempsey, and Shannon Hoose; his great-granddaughter, Nora Dolcemascolo; along with several nieces, nephews, extended family, and the entire Red Hook Raider community.

In addition to his wife, he was predeceased by two brothers: Bernard and James Dempsey.

The family would like to extend gratitude to the dedicated caregivers who provided compassion and love to Peter at home during his illness.

Friends may call at the Burnett & White Funeral Homes on Monday, March 27, 2017, from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, March 28, 2017, at St. Christopher’s Church, Red Hook, N.Y. Burial will be at St. Paul’s Lutheran Cemetery, Red Hook.

Memorial donations may be made in Peter’s memory to the St. Christopher’s Church, 7411 S. Broadway, Red Hook, N.Y., 12571 or the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, P.O. Box 4777 Grand Central Station, New York, N.Y., 10163.

Arrangements are under the direction of Burnett & White Funeral Homes 7461 S. Broadway, Red Hook, N.Y.

For directions, or to sign the online guest book, please visit www. Burnett-White.com.