Honor Dennis O'Mara's Service

Senate Resolution No. 5376 BY: Senator BONACIC PAYING tribute to Dennis Michael O'Mara posthumously for 28 years of steadfast dedication and commitment to the Wallkill Central School District Board of Education WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to honor and recognize those dedicated professionals, who truly enhanced the quality of education for our students, and whose character, accomplishments and community contributions inspired all citizens of this great Empire State; and WHEREAS, The result of many individual efforts, the excellence and the success of Wallkill Central School District is due in large part to the efforts of Dennis Michael O'Mara, who died on May 13, 2018, at the age of 71; and WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to pay tribute to Dennis Michael O'Mara posthumously for 28 years of steadfast dedication and commitment to the Wallkill Central School District Board of Education, to be celebrated with a dinner held in his honor on Tuesday,

June 5, 2018; and WHEREAS, Being born with Spina Bifida was just one of Dennis Michael O'Mara's many challenges in life but he faced them every day with a quiet strength, dignity, positive attitude, and good humor; and WHEREAS, Even though he was limited physically, Dennis Michael O'Mara was community focused and never let challenges limit his life; and WHEREAS, A true inspiration and mentor, Dennis Michael O'Mara served the Wallkill Central School District for nearly three decades; and WHEREAS, A lifelong resident of Wallkill, New York, Dennis Michael O'Mara began his illustrious career with the Wallkill Central School District Board of Education in 1990; he was a tireless advocate of education for all students, which included academics, boys and girls sports, the theater, chorus, band and the arts; and WHEREAS, In 2014, Dennis Michael O'Mara was honored for his "Years of Service and Time to the Wallkill Central School District" by the Wallkill Alumni and Community Education Foundation; this year, he will once again be recognized posthumously as an honoree by BOCES for Excellence in Education; and WHEREAS, Throughout his tenure with the Board, Dennis Michael O'Mara served in several capacities including Chair of the Comprehensive District Education Plan and Policy Committees, as well as 12 years as President and 10 years as Vice President; and WHEREAS, Furthermore, Dennis Michael O'Mara was a member of the Audit, Buildings and Grounds, Curriculum/TAG, and Health and Safety Committees; and WHEREAS, This extraordinary man served as a member of the Wallkill Central School District Board of Education, the position from which he resigned from on March 1, 2018; and WHEREAS, A 1965 graduate of Wallkill Central School District, Dennis Michael O'Mara retired from his distinguished career with IBM after 23 years of service; and WHEREAS, With a tireless dedication to his community, Dennis Michael O'Mara was a Little League coach for 20 years and was on the Wallkill Public Library Board since 2016; in addition, he was a member of the Wallkill St. Patrick's Day Parade Committee for 15 years, serving as its Grand Marshal in 2011; and WHEREAS, A caring, competent and committed leader, Dennis Michael O'Mara's character and integrity were the hallmarks of his life and work as an educational leader, a community volunteer, and a person; and WHEREAS, The Wallkill community was indeed fortunate and blessed to have had such a dedicated and respected educational leader; his wisdom and contributions reached into every classroom, truly making a difference in the lives of those lucky enough to have worked with him; and WHEREAS, Dennis Michael O'Mara is survived by his loving sisters, Maureen O'Mara and Eileen O'Mara-Garcia and their husbands, Richard Bazelow and Ralph O'Mara-Garcia; his nephew, Collin O'Mara-Green; and his niece, Bridget O'Mara-Green and her husband, Daniel Thomas; as well as his cousins, Maura and Bill Rose, Kevin and Nancy Cowherd, Stephen Cowherd and Anne Staudt; and WHEREAS, Over the course of his 28 years as a member of the Wallkill Central School District Board of Education, Dennis Michael O'Mara touched the lives of thousands of young people, their parents, and the communities he served; he leaves a legacy of learning and commitment which will long endure throughout Wallkill and its neighboring communities; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to pay tribute to Dennis Michael O'Mara posthumously for 28 years of steadfast dedication and commitment to the Wallkill Central School District Board of Education, and to offer its sincere condolences to his family; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to the family of Dennis Michael O'Mara.