BROWNVILLE, NY — John “Dick” R. Peckham Sr., 92, Brownville, passed away Monday morning Feb. 18, at Samaritan Keep Home, Watertown where he had been a patient .
John was born June 15, 1926 in Utica, NY the son of Charles and Agnes Krever Peckham. John graduated from Lyme Central High School in June 1944 and served in the US Navy Medical Corp from June 1944 to July 1946. From 1946 to 1950 he attended Watertown Flying School and St. Lawrence University. He graduated with a Commercial Flying license. From 1950 to 1952, he served in the Navy Medical Corps during the Korean War until being discharged in 1952. John was one of six brothers and their father who served their country during war.
Born June 15, 1926, in Utica, NY, the son of Charles and Agnes Kreber Peckham, he graduated from Lyme Central High School in June 1944 and served in the US Navy Medical Corp from June 1944 to July 1946. From 1946 to 1950 he attended Watertown Flying School and St. Lawrence University. He graduated with a Pilots’ license. From 1950 to 1952 he served in the Navy Medical Corps during the Korean War until being discharged in 1952. John was one of six brothers and their father who served their country in the military.
John worked from 1952 to 1976 at Agricultural Insurance company in underwriting, claims and was the claims manager of the Watertown office at the time the company was purchased and downsized. Also he managed the Merchant Mutual claims office in Watertown for N.Y. Casualty Co. until he retired in 1988.
John married Mary Ann Londraville on Feb. 28, 1947, at Holy Family Church in Watertown. The couple lived in Brownville and Mrs. Peckham went to heaven October 31, 2007.
John was a member of American Legion Post 583 in Dexter, Immaculate Conception Church of Brownville and enjoyed boating and old cars.
Surviving are three children: John Jr. and his wife Casilda of Watertown, James Peckham of Brownville and Christine and Harold Hine of Brownville. He has six grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. Also surviving are brothers, Norman Peckham, Dexter, David Peckham, Rochester, Charles Peckham, San Diego; three sisters, Lois Goode, San Diego, June Reason, Watertown, and Mary Bibey, Watertown; numerous nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by a son, Jay Peckham in 1982, two brothers, Eugene Peckham and Paul Peckham, and a sister, Elva Peckham.
A Mass will be held 11 a.m. Friday, Feb, 22, 2019, at the Immaculate Conception Church of Brownville with Fr. J. Michael Gaffney officiating. Burial will be in the spring at Dexter Cemetery. Calling hours will be 9 to 10:30 a.m. Friday, Feb. 22, at the Johnson Funeral Home, Dexter.
Donations may be made to the Jay Peckham Scholarship Fund % General Brown Central School.
Online condolences may be made at dexterfuneralhome.com.
