Obituary of G. Matthew Dempsey

G. Matthew Dempsey, 83, of Cty. Rte. 82, Troupsburg, entered into eternal rest very suddenly at home on Monday, December 9, 2013. Born in Troupsburg on March 12, 1930, Matt was the son of the late John B. and Mary Florence (Hopper) Dempsey. He attended and graduated from Troupsburg Central School. On November 26, 1955, he and the former Onolee J. Bertch were married in Hornell. After graduating from High School, Matt went to work as a school bus driver for the district, a job he held for 20 years. He was a life-long farmer, who never really left the farm, even after retirement. Everyday Matt could be found at Young Hickory Flower Farm, his daughter Amy's business, tending his beef cattle or mending his fences, but also planting cemetery urns, repotting perennials or cutting pine boughs for holiday wreaths. Each year Matt's green thumb produced an abundant garden, bouquets of brightly colored zinnias and beautiful tulips and daffodils. Matt was nothing if not hard-working, clad in mud caked boots, and work gloves worn thin from handling countless wheelbarrows of firewood. Though he was a private man, Matt was well known and respected in the community. He was a quiet prankster with a dry sense of humor, a hearty laugh, and eyes that sparkled. He was reserved, but no one could ever doubt the love he had for his family; a family who will miss him greatly. Matt is survived by his wife of 58 years, Onolee Dempsey at home, his daughters and sons in law, Denise and Max Dreher and Amy and Mike Cornell, all of Troupsburg, his grandchildren, Hillary (Brian) McCaffrey of Almond, Jay Dreher of Hudson Falls, NY, Gracie Dreher, Courtney Cornell and Evan Cornell, all of Troupsburg, 2 great grandchildren, his sisters, Elizabeth Walker of Baton Rouge, LA and Mary Ellen Celli of San Francisco, CA and several nieces and nephews. His brothers, John Dempsey and Terrance Pat Dempsey and his sister Winifred Cady preceded him in death. Funeral services will be held privately at the convenience of the family at the H.P. Smith & Son Inc. Funeral Home in Woodhull. Burial will be made in Young Hickory Cemetery, Troupsburg. Service: Privately, at the convenience of the family H.P. Smith & Son Inc. Funeral Home 1607 Main St. Woodhull