Dimitri M. "Pete" Gallik, 97 of Walton, passed away early Monday morning, November 14, 2011 at the New York State Veteran's Home in Oxford, following a long illness.

Pete was born on October 11, 1914 in Clifton, NJ; the son of the late Michael and Julia Hoch Gallik, and raised on a dairy farm in Herkimer, NY. He joined the US Army Air Corps in 1937 due to the lack of jobs in the pre-World War II depression and rejoined during WW II, honorably discharged in 1945 as a glider pilot. He met his future wife, the former Laura Schriber while working in dairy herd improvement in Walton and they were married on July 22, 1949 in Auburn, NY. Following a degree from Syracuse University and further studies, he spent his career in Washington DC, translating Russian materials into English and doing research on the economy of the Soviet Union. After retirement in 1984 and moving to Walton in 1987, he engaged in translating literature written in the Carpatho-Rusyn language of his parents.

Pete was a generous man to his family as well as to the community. He was a member of the board of trustees of the Walton Cemetery Association. He loved to read and devoured several books in the course of a week. He also enjoyed playing cards with his many friends at the Walton Mtn. Sportsman Club and having coffee at TA's.

Pete is survived by 2 brothers, William (Betty) Gallik, Hamilton; Daniel (Lorna) Gallik, Annandale, VA, one sister, Olga Hubiak, Herkimer; sister-in-law, Arlette Schriber, Walton, several nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by his wife, a brother, Michael Gallik Jr., and two sisters, Julia O'Connell and Anne Thwaits.

A graveside service will be held at 2 PM on Saturday, November 19, 2011 at Walton Cemetery, with full military honors. Arrangements are with Courtney Funeral Home, Walton.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Laura Schriber Gallik Memorial Scholarship Fund at Walton High School.

Condolences to the family may be made online by visiting our web site at www.courtneyfh.com.