Honor Abbott Wiley for Service

Senate Resolution No. 3248 BY: Senator MARCHIONE HONORING Abbott Lansing Wiley posthumously upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of a Liberty Medal, the highest honor bestowed upon an individual by the New York State Senate WHEREAS, It is incumbent upon the people of the State of New York to recognize and acknowledge those within our midst who have made significant contributions to the quality of life therein; and WHEREAS, Members of the Armed Services from the State of New York, who have served so valiantly and honorably in wars in which this country's freedom was at stake, as well as in the preservation of peace in peacetime, deserve a special salute from this Legislative Body; and WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Abbott Lansing Wiley posthumously upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of a Liberty Medal, the highest honor bestowed upon an individual by the New York State Senate, to be presented at the Rensselaer County Honor-A-Deceased-Veteran Ceremony; and WHEREAS, The New York State Senate Liberty Medal was established by Resolution and is awarded to individuals who have merited special commendation for exceptional, heroic, or humanitarian acts on behalf of their fellow New Yorkers; and WHEREAS, Born on December 18, 1916, in Pittstown, New York, Abbott L. Wiley was the son of the late Leonard J. and Alice (Sherman) Wiley; he attended the local district school and was a graduate of Lansingburgh High School; and WHEREAS, Abbott L. Wiley attended the SUNY College of Agriculture and Technology at Cobleskill for one year, before enlisting in the United States Army on October 1, 1942; after basic training, he was recommended to attend Officer Candidate School, was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant, and sent to North Africa and Italy as part of the Fifth Army; and WHEREAS, Promoted to Captain and Battery Commander of the 347th Field Artillery Battalion of the 91st Infantry Division, Abbott L. Wiley saw combat during Operation Italia in nine Italian cities and surrounding areas, earning three Battle Stars; and WHEREAS, Abbott L. Wiley and the former Ruth Olney were united in marriage on October 20, 1945, in Watervliet, New York; and WHEREAS, Honorably discharged on February 6, 1946, Abbott L. Wiley earned the rank of Major and was issued a Bronze Star for his valor in combat while under enemy fire; he was also awarded the European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with three Battles Stars, the American Campaign Medal and the World War II Victory Medal; and WHEREAS, Upon returning home at the end of the war, Abbott L. Wiley, along with his brother, purchased a local business in Valley Falls, New York, and established Wiley Brothers Inc., a family run lumber and home hardware supply company; and WHEREAS, A true asset to his community, Abbott L. Wiley was active in local politics, serving as the Town of Pittstown Supervisor, a Rensselaer County Legislator and a trustee of Hudson Valley Community College; he was also a member of Valley Falls Methodist Church; and WHEREAS, An avid outdoorsman, Abbott L. Wiley enjoyed hunting and fishing, and held memberships in several sportsmen's clubs, including the Powamppokonk Rod and Gun Club in Pittstown; and WHEREAS, Following his retirement in 2002, Abbott L. Wiley enjoyed his hobbies of gardening, traveling, wood working and hunting; and WHEREAS, Abbott L. Wiley died peacefully at his residence on August

18, 2017, with his loving wife and family by his side; he was 100 years old; and WHEREAS, In addition to his wife of 71 years, Abbott L. Wiley is survived by his children, Lynn (Dennis), Carol and William (Sharon); seven grandchildren, Mark, Jennifer, William (Melissa), Andrew, Melanie (Kevin), Marina and Bryan; four great-grandchildren, Alexander, Madeline, Johan and Mia; and several nieces and nephews; he was predeceased by three brothers, Newton, Harold and Charles; and a sister, Ellen; and WHEREAS, Having exhibited his patriotism both at home and abroad, Abbott L. Wiley demonstrated his love for his country and merits forevermore, the highest respect of his State and Nation; and WHEREAS, Our Nation's veterans deserve to be recognized, commended and thanked by the people of the State of New York for their service and for their dedication to their communities, their State and their Nation; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to honor Abbott Lansing Wiley posthumously upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of a Liberty Medal, the highest honor bestowed upon an individual by the New York State Senate; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to the family of Abbott Lansing Wiley.