R.G. Douglas Ley

R. G. Douglas Ley of Wallkill, NY, and Mill Rift, Pa. passed away surrounded by family after a valiant battle with complications from surgery on Sunday, August 19, 2018, in New York City.  He was 65. He was a Physician Assistant for Middletown Community Health Center, in Pine Bush and Middletown.
The son of the late Dr. Allyn B. Ley and Mary Sydney Ley, he is survived by his wife, Karen Kramer-Ley at home, sons, Max Ley of New York City and Desmond Ley of Wallkill, brother, Dr. Bryson Ley and his wife Dr. Marsha Fretwell of Asheville, NC, brother, David Ley and his partner Dr. Fred Rachman of Chicago, Ill., brother, Dr. Christopher Ley and his wife Janette of Providence, RI, brother, Brad Ley and his wife Brandy of Los Angeles, CA.,sister, Marcie Ley and her husband, Jacob Battisti of Jacksonville, OR., stepmother Barbara Ley of Pacific Grove, Ca., father-in-law Robert Kramer of New York City, many nieces and nephews, and his canine companion Scotty. 

Doug was born in New York City, grew up in Rye, NY, and traveled the world, living in Tunisia, Montana, Vermont, Idaho, St. Thomas, San Francisco, France, Germany, and Ithaca, NY before settling in Wallkill, NY to raise a family with his wife Karen. He also loved spending summer time on the Delaware River in Mill Rift, PA. 
Doug's family moved to Ithaca and he fell in love with the gorges there. After many adventures living in ski towns and working on boats in the Caribbean and Europe, he became a musician in France and Germany for several years, playing the guitar, but primarily the upright bass. He returned to Ithaca, NY with Karen to pursue his education at Cornell University in Natural Resources and managed a fish farm cooperative for a time using technology piloted by Cornell. This was also the time he became even closer to his Dad and stepmom Barbara and watched his new little brother Brad and sister Marcie grow up, while also welcoming son Max into the world. Doug then returned to the family calling and became a Physician Assistant in the Hudson Valley, where son Desmond was born, working in clinics for the underserved. He believed strongly in helping others and dedicated his career to that end. Doug enjoyed reading, hiking, gardening, and fishing, but especially loved spending time with his family, and watching the boys play sports. Doug appreciated Wallkill small-town life, spending time with neighbor friends, getting gardening tips, hiking the Gunks, and knowing all the dogs on the road. He also enjoyed being a member of the Reservoir Dogs, one of the Wallkill Lion's Club champion Curling Teams. Doug loved the beauty of nature, people, animals, and all life has to offer. His spirit carries on in all who knew him and will be with us forever. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to a charity of your choice.

Visitation will be Friday, August 24, 2018 from 5-8 pm. at the Wallkill Funeral Home, 12 Bona Ventura Ave., Wallkill, NY.

Funeral services will be Saturday, August 25, 2018, 11 am at the Reformed Church of New Paltz, 92 Huguenot St, New Paltz, NY. Pastor Mark Mast will officiate.

Cremation will be in Poughkeepsie Rural Cemetery in Poughkeepsie, NY.

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