Leo James Dalton, 98, of Wappingers Falls, NY, passed away peacefully at The Pines Center for Nursing in Poughkeepsie on Tuesday, May 5, 2026.

Born in Auburn, NY, on June 13, 1927, Leo was the son of Laurence and Florence Dalton.

He served in the Army as a supply sergeant during the post-World War II occupation of Korea. Leo was awarded both the Army of Occupation Medal and the World War II Victory Medal. Although only a teenager when he served in Korea, he retained keen memories of his service career and of the country.

Leo was a graduate of Le Moyne College with a degree in physics. He began a lifelong career with IBM in Endicott, NY, and retired from IBM East Fishkill as a Senior Engineer.

Leo was predeceased by his beloved wife of 67 years, Norma B. Dalton. The couple met while working at IBM in Poughkeepsie, where Norma was working as a technician testing bombsight navigation computers, and Leo was a beginning manufacturing engineer. They married on January 2, 1954, and raised their four children Joan, deceased, Mark, Anne and John, in Dutchess County.

Leo worked diligently as an engineer and also in caring for his family. Upon retiring, Leo traveled often with Norma and Joan to places such as Italy, Spain, Maine, and Ocean City, MD. He also met regularly with friends for coffee in various establishments around Wappingers Falls. Leo was an excellent handyman and tackled many home construction projects, outdoor plantings, and car repairs, after which most of the parts were usually returned to the vehicle. On Saturdays, he often relaxed by watching Notre Dame football, which he enjoyed unless the Fighting Irish lost, especially to U.S.C.

Leo is survived by his brother, Father Robert Dalton of Cincinnati, OH, his son, Mark Dalton and Mark's wife, Joyce Rambo, of Albany, Anne Dalton and her husband Heinz Insu Fenkl, who reside in the Hudson Valley, and John Dalton of Wappingers Falls. He is also survived by two grown granddaughters, Anya Aliferis of NY, NY, and Isabella Dalton-Fenkl of the Hudson Valley. Leo was predeceased by his sister, Rita Dalton Frank and her husband George Frank.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at on Wednesday, May 13th at 10 am at St. Columba Roman Catholic Church, 835 Main Street, Hopewell Junction, NY.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Leo's name either to the Le Moyne College Office of Advancement, PO Box 527, Syracuse, NY 13214, or to Glenmary Home Missioners, PO Box 465618, Cincinnati OH 45246. Please visit his Book of Memories at www.mchoulfuneralhome.com .