Mr. Floyd E. Hempstead

Floyd E. Hempstead October 21, 1926 – November 1, 2016 Floyd E. Hempstead, known to many as the “Chief,” “Hempie,” and the “Old Fox,” was born October 21, 1926 in Cairo, NY to Floyd E. and Mildred (Canniff) Hempstead. As a youth, he enjoyed basketball, ice hockey, soccer, snow-shoeing and cross-country skiing. He was an avid sportsman, involved in hunting, fishing and trapping. During WWII, he enlisted in the Army Infantry, serving in the Pacific Theatre (Philippine Islands). When the war ended he was employed by the Federal Government’s Schenectady Army Depot in Vooresville, NY. Floyd met the love of his life, Marie J. Desiderio, at the Purling Roller Rink, and married her April 25, 1948. She predeceased him in 2004. Floyd was the Scout Master for Troop 43 in Cairo, and a member of Scouting’s Order of the Arrow. He was also the Hunting Safety Training Instructor. He was a member of numerous organizations, including the Cairo Fish and Game Club, Hop-O-Nose Bowmen, NRA (lifetime member), Cairo Hose Co. (lifetime member), Greene Co. Police Chief’s Association, Cairo Historical Society, VFW, American Legion and Catskill Elks Lodge. Together, Floyd and his pal, Joseph Spencer, were the first commissioners for the newly formed Greene County Pop Warner League. Floyd dedicated 40 years of service in law enforcement to the Town of Cairo. A town native, he began his career in 1962 as a constable and is credited with founding Cairo’s part-time and then full time, police force in 1974. He exemplified the policeman’s ethic “to protect and serve”, as he was seen early in the mornings assisting school children then patrolling the 92 miles of town’s roads. Being in a small town in no way meant that he escaped the dangers inherent to police work and over the years earned respect and developed friendships with the surrounding town’s police force, county sheriffs and state troopers who worked with him and valued his assistance. He was always 24 hours a day, seven days a week, regularly checking in on elderly shut-ins. He retired as Chief of Police in January 2002. Floyd worked for and provided weekend security at the Catskill Game Farm for 43 years. Throughout his career he was honored by many political officials and organizations. His career reflects the highest standards of public service. For many years on Christmas Eve Floyd donned his Santa suit and, together with the NYS Troopers, visited many homes of families in the area, much to Floyd and the children’s delight. He will be remembered for his lighthearted stories and jokes. Floyd was predeceased by his parents, his wife and his sister Virginia (Hempstead) Butterworth. He is survived by his son Robert F. Hempstead Sr. (Catherine), grandchildren Gwen Cummings (Jared), Robert F. Hempstead Jr. (Pornchanok) and Joan Aprea (Anthony), great-grandchildren Alexis, Aiden, Eloise, Lydia and Adeline, and many nieces and nephews. Floyd loved and was devoted to family and his town, Cairo. Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend calling hours at Richards Funeral Home, 29 Bross Street, Cairo, N.Y. on Sunday, November 6, 2016 from 2:00 P.M. – 6:00 P.M. The Cairo Hose Company will hold services in his memory at 5:30 P.M., and The Cairo Mohican American Legion Post # 983 will hold services in his memory at 5:45 P.M. Sunday evening at the funeral home. Funeral services will take place at the funeral home on Monday, November 7, 2016, at 10:30 A.M. with Pastor Victor Nelson, Pastor of The Resurrection Lutheran Church of Cairo, officiating. Interment will follow in the family plot of The Cairo Cemetery, Cairo, N.Y. with full military honors. Following the funeral and the interment, there will be a celebration of life, including food and memories at Gallagher’s Banquet Hall, 513 Main Street, Cairo, N.Y. from 1:00 P.M. – 5:00 P.M., all are invited. Donations in Floyd’s memory may be made to The Columbia Greene Humane Society, 125 Humane Society Road, Hudson, New York, 12534, or to The FASNY Firemen’s Home, 125 Harry Howard Avenue, Hudson, New York 12534. Condolences may be made at www.richardsfuneralhomeinc.net.

Mr. Floyd E. Hempstead

October 21, 1926 - November 1, 2016