LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION mourning the death of James S. Cusack, founder of
the Villa Veritas Foundation, distinguished citizen and devoted member
of his community

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to
citizens of the State of New York whose lifework and civic endeavor
served to enhance the quality of life in their communities and the great
State of New York; and
WHEREAS, James S. Cusack of Kerhonkson, New York, died on June 5,
2016, at the age of 87; and
WHEREAS, Born on April 26, 1929 in Harlem, New York, James S. Cusack
was the son of James S. and Delia (Smith) Cusack; and
WHEREAS, James S. Cusack was a veteran of the United States Air Force,
having earned the rank of Sergeant; following his honorable discharge in
1952, he started on the road to recovery; and
WHEREAS, James S. Cusack began his career in 1965 when he founded
Glenacre Lodge; it became one of the first rehabilitation centers of its
kind; over many years, he was fortunate to be involved in establishing
treatment as we know it today, including the founding of counseling
credentials and helping to develop treatment standards both nationally
and internationally; and
WHEREAS, Within these credentials, James S. Cusack received one of the
first credentials and holds number 15; and
WHEREAS, James S. Cusack married the former Suzanne Boylston on August
7, 1972; the following year, he was given an opportunity to develop the
program now known as Villa Veritas, Inc. in St. Josephs, New York; and
WHEREAS, Veritas Villa was the first freestanding facility in New York
State to treat alcoholics and addicts together; in 1981, James and Sue
relocated the present Villa to Kerhonkson, where they were received by
the community with open arms; and
WHEREAS, James S. Cusack was the recipient of the 1991 Counselor of
the Year Award by the New York State Division of Alcoholism and Alcohol
Abuse, and later, the Governors Award; and
WHEREAS, James S. Cusack was an adjunct professor at Sullivan County
Community College where he offered courses to aspiring counselors on
alcoholism; he has been Vice President in Charge of Training for Mid
Hudson ACA, Treasurer of the NYDS Council on Alcoholism and Other Drug
Addiction, past President and member of the Board of Directors, National
Association of Halfway Houses, Inc., and past President of the Alcohol-
ism and Substance Abuse Council of Ulster County; and
WHEREAS, This remarkable man assisted in creating objectives and goals
for the Hudson Valley Regional Council on Alcoholism, the Sullivan Coun-
ty Council on Alcoholism, New York Council on Alcoholism, and the New
York Federation of Alcoholism Counselors; and
WHEREAS, James S. Cusack's mission was to help those in need to
recover, find hope and reconnect with their families; he celebrated 63
years of sobriety and was a friend of Bill W.; and
WHEREAS, James S. Cusack published three books: BACK TO BASICS, ALWAYS
AWARE and TROUBLE IS A GIFT; and
WHEREAS, He was truly a pillar in his community where he remained
active up until his last days; and
WHEREAS, James S. Cusack was devoted to his family and friends and
enjoyed traveling with them and seeing them often; and
WHEREAS, James S. Cusack was predeceased by his brother, Jack Cusack,
his nephew, Jerry Cusack, a very special group of family members who he
and Sue vacationed with, sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Elaine
Cusack, Tom and Ann Lavery, Joan and Steve Lewis; and

WHEREAS, In addition to his wife, Suzanne, James S. Cusack is survived
by his nieces and nephews: Patti and Justin Bobko, Steven Lewis and
Harri Young, Kevin and Donna Cusack, Ken Lavery, Joan and John Cusack
McGuirk and Cindy Cusack; great-nieces and great-nephews: Allen and
Amanda Lewis, Matthew and Justin Bobko, Danielle and Charlie Henning and
their children: Liz and Charlie, Megan and Will Sakellaris, Joan and
Brian Ross, Casey Cusack, Gerard and Michelle Sawicki and their chil-
dren: Brooke and Abbey, Kate and Burke Hartfelder and their son, Will;
sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Maureen and Dick Blair; dear friend
and "brother," Les McCandless; stepchildren: Pat and Wally Smith, Elaine
and Rich Held, Marge and Bruce Gerlach, and Bob and Barb VanderPlate, as
well as his extended Villa family and friends; he will be deeply missed
by all who knew and loved him; and
WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit and imbued with a sense of
compassion, James S. Cusack leaves behind a legacy which will long
endure the passage of time and will remain as a comforting memory to all
he served and befriended; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
mourn the death of James S. Cusack, founder of the Villa Veritas Founda-
tion, distinguished citizen and devoted member of his community; and be
it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the family of James S. Cusack.