There were several sentiments that penetrated throughout Narrowsburg last week. Those sentiments focused on the loss of one of our own residents, and respect for who he had become.

All of our local newspapers carried a lengthy obituary recounting Art Peck’s diverse life with his numerous accomplishments, generosity to the community, and even the practical joker side of his personality was exposed to those that may not have experienced it firsthand. What wasn’t captured in print was the overwhelming community respect credited to Art and the Peck family.

On Saturday, February 1, Main Street was filled with cars parked on either side of the street, the municipal parking lot behind the bank was overflowing, and people were seen walking up and down the street, despite the cloudy, gray, overcast afternoon with intermittent snow showers. The occasion—a memorial visitation for Art Peck.

The esteem for Art and family was evident on Saturday as people waited patiently on a line that ran out Rasmussen’s Funeral Home, down the steps and around to the front of the building. No one seemed impatient; they seemed determined to convey to the Peck family how much they would miss Art.

Art proved that a man with “determination,” as his son-in-law Paul Kean so aptly summed up Art Peck’s life, can personally accomplish so much and still have time for a community. Our Narrowsburg community has lost a dear resident. Art Peck was well respected, and he will be remembered and truly missed.