Remembering Legislator Dan Wilson after plane crash

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -“We’re all heartbroken here in Montgomery County with this tragedy. I’ve known him for probably about nine years,” said County Executive Pete Vroman about the death of Legislator Dan Wilson. “He was the sweetest guy in the room. Always, when you go see him. He served a long time; public service on our County IDA as a legislator. Served the people out here, represented his people out here.”

Wilson was elected into office in November 2016 to serve District 5. So was his colleague Michael Pepe as the legislative chairman.

Pepe described Wilson role on the physical services committee as invaluable, improving county roads and buildings. “Given his civil engineering background and he continued to stay employed well into his seventies. He always like to keep busy and he loved airplanes.”

It was after Wilson’s wife passed away, Pepe said, that his hobby really took off the ground. He became a board member and later president at the Empire State Aerosciences Museum, inviting everyone he knew. “He was big involved in anything airplanes and he always talked to me about bringing my grandkids to the museum,” said Sheriff Jeff Smith.

Sheriff Smith is making sure his family is being supported during this time. “I reached out to his daughter and his son and spoke to them and offered any assistance that we can here in Montgomery County and it’s just something you never expect to get that phone call obviously.”

The NTSB will be at the crash site Thursday afternoon to investigate. Recovering the wreckage should begin Friday.