John Peter Short

John "Peter" Short, 93, a longtime resident of Liberty, NY, passed away on Tuesday, March 10, 2015 at Achieve Rehab and Nursing Facility in Liberty. Born in Kingston, he was the son of John D. and Mary Nelting Short. Peter enlisted in Headquarters Battery 156 FA. Bn 44th Division Kingston in July, 1940. The Battalion was federalized in the United States on September 16, 1940. He rose to the rank of 1st Lieutenant and served overseas in the Battles of the Rhine and Central Europe and as a Forward Observer with the 104th Infantry 76th Infantry Division. After World War II, he was transferred to Liberty by the New York Telephone Company, where he was employed as a Right of Way and Claims Agent for 30 years, until retiring in 1978. Peter was a member and active in the Liberty First Presbyterian Church and had served as Chairman of the Board of Trustees and as an Elder. He was an avid bow hunter and deer hunter and a past member of the Panther Mountain Hunting Club. Peter is survived by his daughter, Suzanne Klugman and her husband, Michael of Agoura Hills, CA, son-in-law, David Metchick of Brunswick, GA, six grandchildren, twelve great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his dear friend, Lela Ruggeri of Swan Lake, NY. Peter was predeceased by his wife of 57 years, Johnnie Short, two daughters, Peggy and Charlene, a granddaughter Amanda, two brothers and three sisters. Peter was laid to rest in Montrepose Cemetery, Kingston, in a private ceremony.