CALLICOON - Corey Hornicek had a big family. He just didn't realize it included all of New York and most of the Northeast.

Several thousand people descended on Callicoon this past Sunday and Monday to pay their respects to one of the proudest persons to ever wear a New York State Dept. of Environmental Conservation (DEC) uniform.

Law enforcement from throughout the Northeast and friends and family from throughout the country joined forces to show their love and respect to Corey's family for his service to the uniform and friendship to so many.

Corey passed away last Wednesday evening while he was jogging, the victim of a very, very rare heart disease which is undetectable and affects people ages 14-35.

“But he lived a full and rewarding life,” his cousin Autumn Darder Thomas said. “He lived his 32 years to its fullest, with dedication and ambition.”

Fellow DEC Officer Thom­as Koepf attended The Cobleskill State University with Corey and then they went on to the Environmental Conservation Training Academy to­gether.

He said, “Corey was one of the best people you will ever meet. Out of all my close friends, I would say that me and Corey were the closest match, almost identical in a lot of ways.

“We're both extremely good looking guys,” Koepf said to a thunderous laugh. “We have severe OCD, we shared a passion for music, we love sports, hunting, ice fishing, we loved our jobs and we loved each other's families.”

And that family included Corey's “love of his life, Kayla.”

Cousin Autumn Thomas remembered when she was first introduced to Kayla Peters by Corey.

“Corey told me ‘I'm just so happy - she's the one,” she said. “Kayla, thank you for making Corey the happiest man alive.”

Koepf said Corey was a loving husband, who took care of his wife Kayla like no one else.

Pastor Larry Knack said, “Kayla and Corey were a couple to be reckoned with - they showed solidarity. She was the love of his life.

“They went on trip and came back married,” Knack said.

Cousin Autumn Thomas remembered when she was first introduced to Kayla Peters by Corey.

“Corey told me ‘I'm just so happy - she's the one,” she said. “Kayla, thank you for making Corey the happiest man alive.”

Koepf said Corey was a loving husband, who took care of his wife Kayla like no one else.

Pastor Larry Knack said, “Kayla and Corey were a couple to be reckoned with - they showed solidarity. She was the love of his life.

“They went on a trip and came back married,” Knack said.

Autumn Thomas, who was born just a few months after Corey with her twin brother, Orion, remembers the trio more as siblings than cousins.

“We spent so much time at Tim and Debbie's,” she said. “Corey had a smile and grin that would melt your heart.”

She remembered Corey's love of music and how he would take over as DJ at almost every party they attended.

She always remembered Corey as a leader. He was elected president of his class at the NYS DEC academy, an honor bestowed by his peers.

“Every day he worked so hard and wanted to really do good,” she said. “He was caring and protective of our environment and held himself to a higher standard.

“He was happiest when it was time to be happy and the strongest when it was time to be strong,” she said. “Thank you for blessing our lives.”

Koepf wanted to leave those in attendance with a little “Corey advice.”

“First, make a mental list of all the things you're thankful for, things you wouldn't have if it weren't for Corey.

“…Second, I'm going to challenge myself to live a little more like Corey. Work hard, help people out whenever you can. Be a loving husband or wife, brother, sister friend.

“And most importantly, take advantage of every day, and live life to the absolute fullest,” Koepf said. “I heard him say it a number of times, as I would regularly give him slack for always being on the go… ‘You only live once Tom, you might as well have fun.

“I'm confident Corey has no regrets. Not one,” he said. “Today Corey, I don't want to say goodbye… I want to say thank you.

“Thank you from the bottom of my heart for everything you have done for me, your family and everyone else sitting in this room,” Koepf said. “Your work is done down here brother… rest easy my friend.”

Please see more photos at www.scdemocratpics.com/awardsandceremonies/2019/ CoreyHornicek