WURTSBORO - Edward M. Maier, a lifelong resident of Wurtsboro and one of the few remaining World War II veterans in Sullivan County, died on December 4 at the age of 94 - just six months after receiving a high school diploma from Monticello High School.

He is survived by his wife, Gladys, 93, who he married in August 1948 right after she graduated from Monticello High School.

Maier, a founding member of VFW Post 4947 in 1946, served in the Army Air Corps and went ashore at Omaha Beach on D-Day Plus 8 serving in the European theater until the end of the war. He was called back to active duty in 1950 for the Korean War.

George Grobusch, Commander of VFW Post 4947 who teaches 8th grade Social Studies at Monticello's Robert J. Kaiser Middle School, said Maier “was very active, participating in all veteran functions with the VFW and the American Legion. He was an incredible wealth of (knowledge) on local history and enjoyed speaking to school children about local history and his service. He will be sorely missed.”

It was also very clear from the Democrat's coverage of Memorial Day 2017 in Wurtsboro that Maier was treated as a local treasure by fellow veterans, their families and neighbors.

Maier dropped out of high school in 1942 to enlist in the U.S. Army and served in France and Germany, mostly making and repairing parts for military vehicles.

Last June, though, he received his New York State high school diploma at the Monticello High School graduation ceremony, where he was honored with a prolonged standing ovation from the packed gymnasium of 2018 graduates and their families. The diploma came about through a program known as Operation Recognition administered by the New York State Division of Veterans' Affairs.

At that ceremony on June 25, Monticello High School Principal Stephen Wilder said, “This is a special opportunity for all of us, to share in this historic long-deserved and very special moment for Edward Maier. We are grateful for your honorable and selfless service to your country and glad you are here today to receive your New York State High School Diploma.”

Maier, who was also a member of American Legion #1266, used the GI Bill after his service to become an apprentice and eventually ran his own auto shop in Summitville. He later worked for the United States Postal Service. Maier was also a lifelong member of the Summitville Fire Department, which like VFW Post 4497, posted a tribute to him on its Facebook page.

Services for Maier took place at the Community Church of Wurtsboro last Saturday and were followed by graveside services with military honors at Sylvan Cemetery in Wurtsboro.

Memorial donations may be made to the Community Church of Wurtsboro, P.O. Box 487, Wurtsboro, NY 12790 www.communitychurchofwurtsboro.org; or VFW Post 4947, P.O. Box 410, Wurtsboro, NY 12790 www.vfw4947.org.