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.