Obituary of Charles J. Shaughnessy

Charles Joseph Shaughnessy, a 55 year resident of Sugar Loaf, NY, passed away Wednesday, July 23, 2014 at home. He was 91. Charles was born on November 8, 1922 in Brooklyn, NY, the son of the late Charles D. Shaughnessy and Mabel (Stack) Shaughnessy. He was a member of the St. Columba R.C. Church, Chester and past President of the Holy Name Society. Charles is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Rosemary Laroe Shaughnessy; his five children, Rosemary Shaughnessy and husband Donald Stark of Sugar Loaf, Carol Gonzalez and husband Edwin of Horseheads NY, Barbara Shaughnessy of Wakefield RI, Susan Hunt and husband Trevor of Topsham ME and Kevin Shaughnessy and wife Desiree DeZanger of Sparks MD; eleven grandchildren; three great grandchildren; and his sister Catherine Fontana of Jacksonville, Florida Charles graduated from Malvern H.S., Malvern NY and later from Rider College, Trenton, NJ. After graduating High School he enlisted and served three and a half years in the United States Army in the American and European Theaters of Operations. He was a member of the 505th parachute Regiment of the 82nd Airborne Division. He was a Charter Member of the 82nd Airborne Division Association and a member of the Walter E. Hughes MidHudson Chapter of the Division, Port Jervis NY. Following graduation from Rider College he was employed as an underwriter and assistant manager of the Marine Underwriting division of Aetna Life and affiliated Companies. After 10 years he left to purchase the Wm. H. Smith Insurance and Reality Agency in Chester, NY and retired in 1993. In 1963 he was elected Town Justice of Chester, NY and served for 24 years. He served two terms as President of the Orange County Magistrates Association. During his time as a member of the Chester Town Board he briefly held the uncomfortable positions of Supervisor, Legislator and Judge, contrary to the Founding Fathers calling for the separation of powers. In 1963, the Orange County Board of Supervisors determined there was a compelling need to preserve open space, provide recreational opportunities for present and future generations along with preserving historical and cultural sites. Under the title Park Commissioner, Charles and six other visionary residents accepted the challenge. The success of the mission, he often said was due to the cooperation of Legislators, a friendly press, countless Orange County residents and especially Parks Commissioner Graham M. Skea' s administrative skills. In 1990 Charles was awarded the "National Voluntary Services Award" by the National Recreation and Parks Association at their conference in Phoenix, Arizona. The same organization honored Charles with "The Outstanding Public Official" award in 2006 at their conference in Chicago, Illinois. Charles served 43 years on the park board. In 1994 at their annual dinner, The Orange County Citizens Foundation awarded him the prestigious Ruth and James Ottaway Medal. Visitation will be Friday, July 25, 2014 from 5-7 pm at the Donovan Funeral Home, 82 South Church Street, Goshen, NY. A Mass of Christian Burial will be Saturday, July 26, 2014 at 11:30 am at St. Columba R.C. Church, Chester, NY. Interment will follow at the Orange County Veterans Cemetery, Goshen, NY. In lieu of flowers, charitable contributions in Charles name can be made to St. Columba R.C. Church, 27 High Street, Chester, NY 10918 or Memorial Sloane Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Ave, NY, NY 10065. Arrangements under the care of the Donovan Funeral Home, Inc., Goshen. To leave the family a personal condolence please visit www.donovanfunerals.com