Gary Greenwald

1945 - 2016

Gary Greenwald

Goshen - April 22, 1945-July 19, 2016

Gary Greenwald, 71, of Goshen, New York died on July 19, 2016, at his beloved Twin Oaks, surrounded by his loving wife, children and his equally loved pets. Until the last day of his life, he was able to enjoy the things he held most dear- love of law, family and the home the family created together.

The son of Jacob and Florence Greenwald, Gary was born in Queens, New York but moved to Wurtsboro, New York at the age of two. His parents owned the Wurtsboro Pharmacy and he grew up enjoying the pleasures of small town life. He often talked about his four-room school house in Wurtsboro. His two older brothers, Martin and Dennis, both became registered pharmacists as his parents had been. Gary, on the other hand, graduated from Harpur College now SUNY Binghamton with a degree in Political Science. He found his true love in politics and wrote a senior thesis on voting that became the basis of his future avocation.

Gary told the story of how he decided to be a big fish in a little pond, rather than working in New York City, after his graduation from Brooklyn Law School. He opened his first office in Wurtsboro, using a card table and went on to purchase his own building housing, Greenwald Law Offices. Moving to Goshen, New York, he opened an office there and then a three building campus in Chester, New York and finally one in Poughkeepsie. He was recognized as a Super Lawyer for five years in multiple areas, as recently as 2016 while battling his illness.

Gary's love of politics grew to historic proportions as he helped create the New Democratic Club of Mamakating. Gary ran for Mayor of Wurtsboro and won as the youngest Mayor in New York State recognized by a front page article in the New York Times. He was Wurtsboro Mayor from 1974-1988, the longest term in the history of the Village. He dearly loved Wurtsboro, using it as a base for his role in Sullivan County politics. From Governor Mario Cuomo to every local election, Gary would be involved in all of the decision making and all of the "action", including his own TV show Political Forum, a WTBQ political radio show and featured columns in several newspapers. He became known throughout the state.

He loved walking the Bashakill and the forests in Wurtsboro throughout his life. However, his marriage to his wife Diane Greenwald, who was a teacher at Goshen High School, necessitated a move to Goshen to ease the trip for her. With their three children in tow, he entered Democratic life, only now in Orange County.

He had a lifelong desire to right all wrongs in society. He fought for civil rights on the front lines and set New York State Law precedence for individual rights. Gary truly was a Renaissance man. He loved classical music and Impressionist art. He loved boxing matches and Giants football games. His love for children was shown when he took off every afternoon to coach his son's 9th grade basketball team. He could cite baseball statistics from all of the games from his youth. All things Irish brought him joy, as did reading voraciously and writing his own poetry. He volunteered for numerous organizations throughout the county such as youth sports, food pantries and soup kitchens.

Perhaps Gary's most challenging battles were fought in the court room. His summations were something to be seen-with crowds gathered in all his celebrated cases. His preparation was second to none. He worked seven days a week and countless hours for his clients. Every case was a mountain to climb with victory always in sight. He could cite page and verbiage of case law to the amazement of all. There was nothing he could not accomplish nor a case he could not manage. There was always a phone call he would volunteer to make or someone he knew who could help a person in need.

Although most knew him as a warrior in the courtroom, he loved "family, friends and religion". He was so proud his three children became attorneys. He was invited to argue before the highest court in New York State-the Court of Appeals-several times and argued in every appellate division in New York State.

In later years, his restaurant Bubba's BBQ in White Lake, New York became his passion.

He is survived by the love of his life of 44 years, Diane Abramson Greenwald, who supported him on a daily basis to achieve his goals and become the successful man he was. Also surviving are daughter, Joanna Greenwald and her son Landry Masters, son Jamie and wife Jaclyn and their children Siena and Gian and son Benjamin and family and Robin Chaize. He is further survived by his brother Dennis Greenwald, numerous dearly loved nieces and nephews and many loving in-laws. He was predeceased by his brother Martin Greenwald, sister-in-law Vera Greenwald and sister-in-law Elsa Greenwald. Especially missing him are his dogs Winston, Teddy, Murphy and Sweetie and cat Bogey.

Gary was truly larger than life . . .

The family would like to thank Hospice of Orange and Sullivan Counties for their assistance at home, Eileen Cassidy for her daily visits, Ann-Marie Westridge for her support, the staff of Gary Greenwald and Partners and Twin Oaks Consultants Real Estate.

The funeral service will take place at Temple Sinai at 75 Highland Ave in Middletown, New York (845) 343-1861 on Friday, July 22, 2016 at 11am. Burial will take place at the Jewish Cemetery in Wurtsboro, New York. Shiva will be observed at their home, Twin Oaks, from 2pm-7:30pm until Wednesday night, excluding Saturday.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of Orange & Sullivan Counties www.hospiceoforange.com, Sullivan County SPCA www.sullivanspca.org or Chabad of Orange County in Goshen www.chabadorangecounty.com.