Senate Resolution No. 5747

BY: Senator GRIFFO

CONGRATULATING Edward Otis Ingersoll upon the
occasion of celebrating his 100th Birthday on June
16, 2018

WHEREAS, Senior citizens bring a wealth of experience and knowledge
to the increasingly active roles they play in today's society; their
past contributions and future participation are a vital part of, and
valuable asset to, the fabric of community life and activity; and

WHEREAS, The oldest of seven boys, Edward Otis Ingersoll was born on
June 14, 1918, to Otis and Annabelle Ingersoll at their family farm on
Corrigan Hill Road in Martinsburg, New York; and

WHEREAS, At the age of 14, Edward Otis Ingersoll purchased a carding
mill machine and earned money carding wool for local farmers; during
this time, he also helped his father with his threshing business; and

WHEREAS, In 1935, Edward Otis Ingersoll restored the Martinsburg
Fire Department; he served as Chief and built its first fire truck/squad
car from a 1932 Packard convertible; and

WHEREAS, Edward Otis Ingersoll and Tess Paluck were united in
marriage on October 29, 1939, and together they raised two sons; and

WHEREAS, In 1942, the young family moved to Herkimer, New York,
where Edward Otis Ingersoll worked for the Remington Arms Company,
before serving as a Welder for the Tennessee Valley Authority in
Kingsport, Tennessee; and

WHEREAS, Edward Otis Ingersoll joined the United States Marine Corps
in June of 1944, serving in the 4th Marine Division, 3rd Battalion, 25th
Regiment, I Company, 1st Platoon, during World War II; he and his fellow
Marines were part of the third invasion of Iwo Jima; and

WHEREAS, Upon the completion of his valiant military service in
1945, Edward Otis Ingersoll began working in the machine repair business
in Martinsburg; during this time, he and his father built rotary snow
blowers; and

WHEREAS, Edward Otis Ingersoll opened Ingersoll Farm Supply in 1959,
selling tractors, farm machinery, milking machines, barn cleaners,
motorcycles and snow mobiles; the business also repaired all types of
machines; and

WHEREAS, In 1960, Edward Otis Ingersoll renovated an old gas station
into the Hilltop Diner in Martinsburg, before serving as the Sealer of
Weights and Measures for Lewis Co.; he went on to work as a Millwright
for Carpenter Rigging in Syracuse, New York, where he retired as a
Superintendent in 1984; and

WHEREAS, A true asset to his community, Edward Otis Ingersoll was
the driving force for the Dialysis Unit at Lewis County Hospital, and

was instrumental in acquiring land to build a playground in Martinsburg;
and

WHEREAS, Edward Otis Ingersoll has been an active member of the
Marine Corps League, VFW Post 6912, Lowville American Legion, Lowville
Elks Lodge, 4th Marine Division Association, Martinsburg Methodist
Church, Martinsburg Fire Department, Martinsburg Historical Society,
Lewis County Historical Society and Retreads Motorcycle Club; and

WHEREAS, Today, Edward Otis Ingersoll resides at the Lewis County
Residential Care Facility and enjoys playing the organ and sharing his
life experiences with his fellow residents; he is the proud father of
two sons, James (Sally) and Richard (Helen), and the loving grandfather
of four grandchildren and six great-grandchildren; and

WHEREAS, It is the intent of this Legislative Body to publicly
recognize those who have reached such a remarkable age and who have
witnessed and celebrated the innovations, cultural developments and
awesome achievements of this country during the last century, while
themselves contributing to the growth and excellence of this great
Empire State; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate Edward Otis Ingersoll upon the occasion of celebrating his
100th Birthday; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Edward Otis Ingersoll.