An advocate for disabled veterans, Alan Edward "Red" Peers died July 31, 2006 after fighting a battle with cancer. He was 50 years old.

Mr. Peers, who grew up in West Islip, worked as an advocate of the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Northport, the Disabled Veterans of America and the Kings Park V.F.W.

According to his mother, he spent much time as a youth playing guitar in Argyle Park in Babylon Village and later as an air-ground controller in the U.S. Army Air Corps.

He leaves behind his mother, Marge of Tavares, Florida; his son, Dwayne; his sister, Missy Hammock and her husband Ken; his grandson Nikko; and his lifelong partner, Sandy Dorais.

Mr. Peers reposed on August 6, 2006 at the Lang Tobia Funeral Home, 406 Deer Park Ave., Babylon. A Funeral Mass was held August 7, 2006 at St. Joseph's R.C. Church in Babylon followed by interment in Calverton National Cemetery in Calverton.