If you’re still going into Stewart’s—or the Sharon Court or Town Hall or even driving by Bowmaker’s—expecting, without thinking, to see Tony Desmond, there’s a reason.
Mr. Desmond, the consummate politician without ever being one, died last Wednesday after a brief illness.
And for 81 years, he was everywhere.
An Air Force veteran, retired State Trooper, Schoharie County Sheriff, town councilman, supervisor, and, until he died, Town of Sharon justice, Mr. Desmond was someone everyone knew; hundreds turned out for his funeral Tuesday at St. Vincent’s Church in Cobleskill.
Sandy Manko, who took over as town supervisor when Mr. Desmond became sheriff, called him a driving force in the community and the go-to person for just about anything.
“We used to tease him because he would continuously be asking for money for one of his numerous projects,” Ms. Manko said.
With the American Legion, he was the driving force behind efforts to place a Battle of Sharon monument at Bowmaker’s Pond, clear and bring back the nearly-forgotten Parsons Road Cemetery and grave of Patriot Christopher Rhine, restoring a memorial with pavers in front of the school, and placing flags on veterans’ graves each Memorial Day, she said.
“When I think of Tony, I think of kindness. He didn’t have a mean bone in his body. I will miss Tony.”
Werner Hampel, a retired Navy and United Airline pilot, knew Mr. Desmond for 30 years and remembers helping arrange a fly-over for a plaque dedication for a Mayfield man at Mr. Desmond’s request.
“That was Tony, He knew everyone and was involved in everything,” Mr. Hampel said. “He was a great man and will be remembered fondly.”
Mr. Desmond served two terms as sheriff.
Ron Stevens, who defeated him in his third run, also remembered him fondly.
“He was a great guy. He was certainly community-minded,” Sheriff Stevens said.
“He always thought of others before he thought of himself.”
“He played it straight,” said Blenheim Supervisor Don Airey.
John Leavitt of Carlisle, like Mr. Desmond, a retired State Trooper, veteran, and also a supervisor, remembers him “at every single community event. He was active with the fire department, the Legion…when he came to our veterans’ breakfasts at the Cobleskill Diner, he knew everyone and always had a story.”
Mr. Desmond served with the State Police for 28 years before retiring in 1999.
He’s still legend: Mr. Leavitt said a friend on a Retired Troopers Facebook page reminisced that he was the only one who could drive from one end of Schoharie County to the other—and never cross a main road.
Pat Donnelly of Lawyersville, another retired State Trooper, laughed when he heard that Tuesday.
“That was Tony,” he said. “That’s what we did.”
“Such a small coffin for such a big man,” said former Middleburgh Mayor Bill Ansel-McCabe as Mr. Desmond was wheeled into St.Vincent’s.
Mr. Desmond was buried Wednesday in the Cherry Valley Cemetery.
Memorial contributions in his name may be made to the American Legion Post 1269, POB 273, Sharon Springs, or to the Sharon Springs Volunteer Fire Department, POB 336, Sharon Springs, NY 13459.