Obituaries

Phil Horton

Phil Horton of Peconic died peacefully at home on April 15, 2013, with his family at his side. He was 82 years old.

He was born May 6, 1930, in Greenport to Dorothy (Robinson) and Philip Goldsmith Horton Sr. After graduating from local schools and Cornell University, he married Joan Gerhardt Nov. 26, 1955, at Cutchogue Presbyterian Church.

Phil was a farmer and was associated with the Long Island Cauliflower Association, and he had been employed as a salesman by Agway for many years. He had also been a minor league coach, played softball for the Southold Town team and bowled on the Fisherman’s Rest team.

In the community, Phil was a 60-year member of Cutchogue Fire Department and a former commissioner, a former Southold Town Trustee, secretary-treasurer of the North Fork Fire Police Association and superintendent of Cutchogue Cemetery.

In his free time, he enjoyed clamming, gardening and puttering around. Family members said he will long be remembered for his parties at the beach.

Surviving are his wife, Joan; children, Jeff (Andrea), of Pennsylvania, Debbie VanDuzer (Chuck) of Peconic and Donna Horton-Batist (Nol) of Mattituck; a sister, Jane Sincerbeaux of Maine, and a brother, John Binns of California; six grandchildren, Adam and Sara Horton, Jesse and Amanda VanDuzer and Carly and Pam Batist; and many nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends at DeFriest-Grattan Funeral Home in Mattituck on Wednesday, April 17, from 7 to 9 p.m. and Thursday, April 18, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m., with firematic services Thursday at 7:30 p.m. Graveside services will begin at 11 a.m. Friday, April 19, at Cutchogue Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Joy of Life Foundation, East End Hospice or Cutchogue Fire Department.

This is a paid notice.