UNION VALE – John Peter DeForest, 89, a lifelong area resident, died peacefully on August 20, 2022.

Born on June 11, 1933 in Beekman, Peter was the son of the late William and Eleanor (Weaver) DeForest.

He started working on his family farm as a young boy and worked on the Vail Brothers Farm for more than 50 years. He taught tractor safety and was a volunteer 4H Club leader for many years. For his second career, he was employed by the Town of Union Vale where he began in 1965 as Constable before being elected as Councilman then Supervisor. He served as Highway Superintendent until his retirement in 2013.

Peter was an altar boy, usher, eucharistic minister and a parishioner at St. Denis Church in Hopewell Junction, and a member of the Knights of Columbus.

On August 1, 1953 at Regina Coeli Church in Hyde Park, Peter married Mary Lou (Zwecker) DeForest who survives at home after 69 years of marriage. He is also survived by his children and their spouses, JoAnn and Dieter Schmidt of Wappingers Falls, Karen and Wilson Frye of Alabama, Elizabeth and Reimund Lahl of Poughkeepsie, John Peter and Darlene DeForest, Jr. of Stormville, Jill and Douglas Nash of Virginia, Thomas and Haley Martell of Verbank, and Joseph and Heather DeForest of Lake Placid; his grandchildren, Jesse and Ysolt Schmidt, Travis and Teairra Schmidt, Peter Schmidt, Eric and Donna Lahl, Jennifer and James Lawrence, Doug and Jessica Nash, Jr., Drew Nash, Deanna Nash, Ethan Martell, Claire Martell, and Jordan DeForest; his great-grandchildren, Lucy, Everleigh, Andru, Stone, Sailor, Derek, Rose Marie, Jenna, Justin, Jason and Cammie; his siblings, Margaret Farmer, Jane Whitman, Sue Ellen DeForest, and Frances Antill and her husband Rick; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.

In addition to his parents, Peter was also predeceased by his siblings, William DeForest, James DeForest, Mary Johnston, Eleanor Ferland, Julia Kinkel, and Katherine Miller; his daughter-in-law, Nancy DeForest; and grandson, Matthew Martell.

Calling hours will be held on Sunday from 2-5 pm at the McHoul Funeral Home, Inc., 895 Route 82, Hopewell Junction. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered on Monday at 10 am at St. Denis Church, 602 Beekman Road, Hopewell Junction followed by burial at St. Denis Cemetery.

Donations may be made in Peter's memory towards a bench to be placed in Tymor Park. Please make checks payable to Town of Union Vale, c/o Andrea Casey, 249 Duncan Road, LaGrangeville, NY 12540. Please visit Peter's Book of Memories at www.mchoulfuneralhome.com.