Former Congressman Ben Gilman dies at 94

MIDDLETOWN — Former U.S. Congressman Ben Gilman, whose district for 30 years included the Town of Warwick, passed away last Saturday, Dec. 17, at Castle Point VA Hospital. He was 94.
Gilman, the son of Austrian Jewish immigrants, was born in Poughkeepsie.
He graduated from Middletown High School in 1941 and received a Bachelor of Science degree from the Wharton School of Finance at the University of Pennsylvania in 1946. Gilman later earned his LL.B. from New York Law School.
He was first elected to Congress in 1972, and was known for his strong support for Israel and involvement in International causes such as the worldwide war on drugs and the fight against hunger. Gilman rose to become chairman of the House International Relations Committee.
However, after the 2000 census, his 26th district was one of two New York districts eliminated.
As a result he was only able to serve this area until 2003. At that time, he was the senior Republican representing New York.
Gilman was almost always present at Warwick events and ceremonies, especially those honoring veterans.
He was also a World War II veteran. Gilman had served with the Army Air Corps, flying 35 bombing missions over Japan and earning the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal with Oak Leaf Clusters.
In 2011 he was honored for his long time support of the riders at Warwick's Winslow Therapeutic Center, a not for profit Hippotherapy and Therapeutic Riding Center devoted to the special needs population of Orange and surrounding counties.
A memorial service attended by his wife, Georgia, and numerous friends and officials was held this past Tuesday followed by burial at West Point Cemetery.