TOMPKINS, RICHARD E. - Richard E. "Dickie" Tompkins, Sr., a former long time Peekskill resident, died on Sunday at St. Luke's Hospital in Newburgh. He was 75. Dick was a retired Chief Lineman for Con Edison in Buchanan, working there for 36 years before retiring in 1991. He was born in Buchanan on January 24, 1933 to Norman and Elizabeth (McGinnis) Tompkins. He served in the US Army Signal Corp during the Korean War. On April 30, 1954, he was married to Loretta Kekacs at The Church of the Assumption. She died in 1981. On October 17, 1987, he and Elizabeth Litz were married at the Church of the Divine Love in Montrose. Mr. Tompkins was very involved in many Peekskill community youth groups, as a former President of the Lapolla Little League, where he was also a coach and umpire. He also belonged to the BPOE #744 Elks Lodge in Peekskill. Dick was also a life member of the Washington Engine Co. During the 1960's, he rescued a woman and her two children from a burning building. Afterward, he was given the NY Daily News VAMP Award for his outstanding volunteer work in the rescue. His family stated that he was a good husband, a devoted father, and a loyal friend. "You are a better man than I am"....Gunga Din. He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth, of Wallkill; his children, Richard E. (Sandra) Tompkins, Jr., of Peekskill, Brian (Jennifer) Tompkins, of Hopewell Jct., Cheryl (Tony) Giannoni, of Eastchester, Fred A. (Jill) Cook, of New Windsor, NY, and Brian Cook, of Montrose; also his brother, Robert Tompkins, of Ft. Montgomery, and two sisters, Janice (Thomas) Lape, of Millbrook, and Karen (Jerry) Doherty, of Lake Peekskill, and his grandchildren, Richard III, Michelle, Brian, Daren, and Sean Tompkins, Lauren and Antoine Giannoni, and Connor and Cassie Cook. There will be a Mass of Christian Burial on Thursday at 10 AM at Church of the Assumption. Friends may call on Wednesday from 3-8 PM at EDWARD F. CARTER FUNERAL HOME, 170 Kings Ferry Rd. Montrose. Burial is in Assumption Cemetery.

Published: Tuesday, February 5th, 2008