Edward F. Dermody was born in Cochecton Center on April 4, 1879. He was educated in the Cochecton township schools. His brother Will owned a store in Cochecton, where he took his first job; it lasted 20 years. He then bought into partnership with another brother, Martin, who leased the A. G. Gregg store in Damascus, PA. The entrepreneurial brothers purchased the building from the late Edson Knapp, former chairman of the Sullivan County Board of Supervisors and supervisor of the Town of Mamakating. Ed Dermody became town clerk for two years, leading to an interest in politics. In 1929 he was elected supervisor.

Judge George Cooke, head of the Sullivan County NRA Committee, appointed Supervisor Edward Dermody to serve on the Cochecton National Recovery Act of 1933 (NRA) Committee. A Democrat, Supervisor Dermody served for five consecutive terms and was running for a sixth when he died on October 30, 1939. His Republican opponent at this time was Magistrate Philip Neff. Dermody served as supervisor longer than any other Cochecton supervisor before him.

The Cochecton Preservation Society can be reached at 845/932-8104 or cps12726@gmail.com, or visit cochectonpreservationsociety.com. The next meeting, free and open to all, will be on Tuesday, August 1 at 7 p.m. at 8537 State Rte. 97. There will be fun and refreshments.