LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION mourning the death of Arthur W. Peck, distin-
guished citizen and devoted member of the Sullivan County community

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to
citizens of the State of New York whose lifework and civic endeavor
served to enhance the quality of life in their communities and the great
State of New York; and
WHEREAS, Arthur W. Peck of Narrowsburg, New York, died on January 20,
2014, at the age of 82; and
WHEREAS, Arthur "Art" W. Peck was born on September 18, 1931, in Asto-
ria, Long Island, New York, to Arthur W. Peck, Sr., and Margaret Friedel
Peck; he lived in both Damascus and Beach Lake, Pennsylvania, as well as
Phoenix, Arizona, before moving to Narrowsburg in 1963; and
WHEREAS, During his youth, Arthur W. Peck was a licensed taxidermist,
and honed his woodworking skills, which would later be judged as legend-
ary; and
WHEREAS, Arthur W. Peck distinguished himself in his profession and by
his sincere dedication and substantial contribution to the welfare of
his community; and
WHEREAS, Arthur W. Peck, along with his wife, Beth, were the founders
of the grocery store chain that bears his name, Peck's Market located in
Narrowsburg, New York; he turned a broken-down grocery store into what
may be the largest mom-and-pop chain of supermarkets in the mid-Hudson
area; and
WHEREAS, Prior to owning and operating Peck's Market, Arthur W. Peck
was employed by Sid's Market in Honesdale, Pennsylvania, and A. J.
Bayless Markets, in Phoenix, Arizona, before purchasing the broken-down
grocery store, Oellrich & Behling Market in 1963; the new market was
constructed in 1975, and the business, now familiarly known as Peck's
Market, was moved to that location; and
WHEREAS, Peck's Market in Callicoon, New York, was added in 1973;
three years later, Peck's Market in Livingston Manor was built; in 1987,
the three corporations were sold to Peck's employees, utilizing an
Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), one of the first such transactions
in New York State; and
WHEREAS, This unusual venture of ESOP was referred to in the October
17, 1989, issue of BUSINESS WEEK; in May of 1990, the Plan was praised
in the issue of FAMILY BUSINESS MAGAZINE; and
WHEREAS, During his retirement, Arthur W. Peck pursued many interests
including: building a kit car and restoring several vintage automobiles;
he also enjoyed handcrafting clocks and restoring others for his
collection; and
WHEREAS, In 1995, Arthur W. Peck purchased plans and built his first
wooden boat; he went on to build or restore 23 additional boats; since
then, he crafted clocks for each of his grandchildren and constructed
seven rocking chairs, several of which he personally designed; and
WHEREAS, Arthur W. Peck also bought an electronic Computer Numeric
Control router for woodworking and was working with a tutor to master
some of its complexities; furthermore, he built a miniature lighthouse,
complete with solar light; and
WHEREAS, Arthur W. Peck's commitment to excellence, and his spirit of
humanity, carried over into all fields of enterprise, including charita-
ble and civic endeavors; and
WHEREAS, In 1990, Arthur and Beth Peck built and gifted the Tusten-Co-
checton Library, following a wish list of the first trustees; currently,
the Library is a part of Western Sullivan Public Library, which encom-
passes libraries in Callicoon and Jeffersonville, New York; and

WHEREAS, Moreover, the Pecks donated the first computers to benefit
the students at Narrowsburg Central School, and a machine to be used by
the students attending Industrial Arts courses; and
WHEREAS, Predeceased by one daughter, Arden Peck Kean, Arthur W. Peck
is survived by his wife of 62 years, the former Beth Rosericranse; two
daughters, Alison Peck and Anita Peck Orsini (Rick); a son, Wayne Peck;
his two sisters, Peggy Seiferling O'Neill and Millicent Gresovic; a
brother, Frank Peck; and 10 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren;
and
WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit and imbued with a sense of
compassion, Arthur W. Peek leaves behind a legacy which will long endure
the passage of time and will remain as a comforting memory to all he
served and befriended; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
mourn the death of Arthur W. Peck, distinguished citizen and devoted
member of his community; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the family of Arthur W. Peck.