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Induction Ceremony April 27, 2019
Congratulations to all inductees!
Tony Butler, Jr. ‘67
Tracy Cooney Farley ’83, RCSD staff
Arthur Felt ‘67
Susan Garrigan ‘75
G. Arthur “Art” & Marie Lee Hall 1902, Posthumous
James Kapp ’69 Lasalle Institute & RCSD Faculty & Athletic Coach
Robert “Pat” “Scoop” Lewis ’67, Posthumous
Lt. Col. Thomas Mulyca Ret. ‘69
Doris Nichols Roberts '71
Karen Urbanski Faculty & Administration
Robert J “Wimpy” Whitford ’82, Posthumous
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
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To the 2019 Alumni Hall of Fame Induction Dinner Committee, we thank you:
Chair, Lynne Beiermeister ’69 (venue, selection committee, program, booklets, Powerpoint, mistress of ceremony, decorations & displays)
Deborah Irving Reimann ’74 (venue, set up and take down)
Ginny Colvin Lazzaro ’69 (finances)
Thomas Mulyca ’69 (program and Powerpoint)
Doris Nichols Roberts ’61 (registration, raffle, set up and take down)
Howard ’54 & Ruth Keenholts ’56 Dickson (cake and flowers)
Paul Werner’61 (awards)
Gerry Mullaney ’65 (registration and raffle)
Melody (Photographer)
The committee is grateful for the following who gave of their time, talents and financial support:
The Selection Committee members and Nominators
Harpists: Karen Troxell Garhartt ’72 & Susan DiFiore
Donors: Price Chopper, Lynne Beiermeister ’69, and Michael Stammel ’73. Birch Hill Staff
As always, the Alumni Association wishes to acknowledge the support of all active alumni, the Board of Education and RCSD staff, Administration Members, especially, former superintendent Sally Shields, current superintendent Joseph Kardash, Former Principal Karen Urbanski, President of the Board of Education John Mooney, and Faculty Liaison Denise Wright
THANK YOU!
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2019 Selection Committee
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Lynne Beiermeister is an alumna of the class of 1969 and a 2015 Hall of Fame inductee. Post-high school, Lynne attended the Goethe Institut in Germany and graduated with a BA from SUNY Albany (English and History) in 1973. Post college education included courses at Hudson Valley Community College (Accounting) and the University of Connecticut in conjunction with Rutgers University (Management Analysis). Lynne worked for the NYS Office of Mental Health in Quality Assurance, Licensing and Standards Compliance for 33 years, retiring in 2006. Before becoming president of the RHS Alumni Association in 2011, she was co-president of the Friends of the Albany Berkshire Ballet and sat on the ballet’s board for several years as her daughter studied and danced with the company. Although she currently lives in Voorheesville, Lynne’s Rensselaer roots include her great-grandfather John Hall, Mayor 1919-20 and her grandfather Louis Dutcher, former VRHS principal and 2013 Hall of Fame inductee. Her mother, sisters and aunts also attended VRHS. Lynne enjoys genealogy, gardening, travelling and has an antique business.
Michael Dunn is the President of Kubricky Construction Corporation. Kubricky Construction is an industry leading, large heavy civil construction group that has completed some of the most complex and vital infrastructure projects throughout the northeast. Kubricky Construction is a proud member of the DA Collins Companies headquartered in Wilton, New York. Since 2007, Mike has served on the Faculty Advisory Committee for both the Civil Engineering and Civil Technology Departments at Hudson Valley Community College. Aside from his passion to build, Mike actively supports several local charities and youth organizations such as the Rensselaer Middle School, Albany Lady Falcons and the Franklin Community Center. Michael Dunn is a 1983 graduate of Rensselaer High School, 1986 graduate of HVCC and a 1988 graduate of University of Albany. In 2017 Mike was inducted into the Rensselaer High School Alumni Hall of Fame for outstanding achievement in business and community service.
Tessa Sedlar is an alumna of the class of 2002. Upon graduating, Tessa entered The College of Saint Rose where she graduated with an Art Education degree, a minor in Art History, and a concentration in Photography. Tessa completed her Master’s in Education in Literacy at The University of New England and returned to Saint Rose to further continue Graduate work in the Arts. Tessa began teaching art at Van Rensselaer Elementary in 2007 and is now currently teaching in the junior senior high school. During her 12 years teaching in Rensselaer, Tessa has been a head coach for modified girls’ basketball, assistant coach for varsity girls’ basketball, assistant coach for track, assistant coach for weightlifting, senior class advisor, builder’s club advisor, Secretary of the Alumni Association, and a member of many clubs and committees. In her free time, Tessa is known to be an avid boxer and former professional football player. As a running back and linebacker, her team won a National Championship in women’s tackle football. In her free time, Tessa loves to paint.
Christopher Leahey is a member of the class of 1983 and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2018. Chris began his career as a teacher and coach at Bishop Maginn High School. For seven years, Chris was the Head JV Coach and guided the 1992 and 1993 teams to be undefeated. During this time Chris was also the Executive Director of the Rensselaer City Youth Bureau bringing the “Great American Circus” to Rensselaer twice. After leaving this position, Chris stayed on as a volunteer and became the Chairman of the Youth Board. It was then that Chris spearheaded the massive Coyne Field renovation project and Riverfront Park was re-designed at little to no cost to the city. Chris has also served on the Board of Directors for the Boys’ & Girls’ Club of Southern Rensselaer County and worked at Camp Adventure at Burden Lake for several years. In 1997, Chris left Maginn for the South Colonie Central School District where he became an Associate Principal at Colonie High School in 2003, a position he held for ten years. Since 2014, Chris has been the Associate Principal at Lisha Kill Middle School. More volunteer work followed starting an annual golf tournament to raise funds for the Nelson Wilkinson – J. Donald Leahey Memorial Scholarship Fund. This scholarship is awarded annually to two Rensselaer High School student-athletes attending college, the service, or a trade school. Chris has also raised thousands of dollars for the American Cancer Society and the Children’s Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Other positions held by Chris were: Rensselaer Pop Warner coach for two years; Advisor for the Rensselaer County Youth Employment and Training program; Grammar school basketball coach at the Boys’ & Girls’ Club of Southern Rensselaer County; JV baseball and Varsity assistant coach for the 1991 Rensselaer High School New York State Championship baseball team; and physical education teacher at St. Joseph’s in Rensselaer. He is an honorary life member of the E.F. Hart Hose fire company in Rensselaer and is a member of the Rensselaer Knights of Columbus #267.
Deborah J. (Irving) Reimann is an alumnus of the Class of 1974. Deb is a lifelong resident of the City of Rensselaer. After graduation, Deb worked for National Commercial Bank and Trust Company while taking Continuing Education Classes through the American Institute of Banking and Hudson Valley
Community College. She started her career in Health in 1981 managing a small Cardiology Practice. As the practice grew, Deb’s knowledge and experience in the industry, along with attending Empire State College (Business Administration) has led to having the ideal position today of Application Specialist in the Operations Division of Community Care Physicians. Deb continues to be involved in her community being a member of the Rensselaer Kiwanis, Friends of the Library and Vice President of the Rensselaer Alumni Association. Deb and her husband Bill enjoy their camp on Brant Lake with family and friends.
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Lynne Beiermeister is an alumna of the class of 1969 and a 2015 Hall of Fame inductee. Post-high school, Lynne attended the Goethe Institut in Germany and graduated with a BA from SUNY Albany in 1973. Post college education included courses at Hudson Valley Community College and the University of Connecticut in conjunction with Rutgers University. Lynne worked for the NYS Office of Mental Health in Quality Assurance and Standards Compliance for 33 years, retiring in 2006. Previous to becoming president of the RHS Alumni Association in 2011, she was co-president of the Friends of the Albany Berkshire Ballet and sat on the ballet’s board. Although she currently lives in Voorheesville, Lynne’s Rensselaer roots include her great-grandfather John Hall, Mayor 1919-20 and her grandfather Louis Dutcher, former VRHS principal and 2013 Hall of Fame inductee. Lynne has one daughter. She enjoys genealogy, gardening, travelling and has an antique business.
Barry Cavanaugh is an alumnus of the class of 1975. When St. John's closed, Barry came to Rensselaer HS. He played basketball for the Rams and became the school's all- time leading scorer and re-bounder. Barry's senior year, the team finished 22-1 and won the Class B-C Championship (There was no NYS tournament at that time). Towards the end of his senior year, Barry's HS basketball jersey #42 was officially retired. Barry's #42 remains the only male basketball jersey number retired for the Rams. After high school, Barry continued his education and playing career at UAlbany. Barry majored in sociology while continuing his love for basketball. He became a 4 year starter, 3rd all-time scorer and 4th all- time re-bounder. Barry was awarded the "Most Outstanding Player Award" for all athletics at UAlbany for both his junior and senior year. After college, he played professionally in Stockholm, Sweden for two years. Barry coached youth basketball, high school basketball, junior college and four year college throughout his coaching career. He became Athletic Director at Morrisville State College. He also works at the House of the Good Shepherd where he assists children who have suffered trauma in their lives. Most recently, he wrote and had published his children's book "Tree Trolls and Their Secret Gifts". Barry has been inducted into 3 "Hall of Fames" for his personal and team achievements. He was inducted into our Hall of Fame in 2013. Barry currently lives in Whitesboro, NY with his wife Denise, daughter Shaye and son Emmett.
Linda O'Toole Martino grew up in the city of Rensselaer having graduated in the class of 1973. While raising her family, she earned her Medical Assistant Certification in 1988, was a Cub Scout leader and parent during the summers to a down-state boy from the Fresh Air Fund. From 1997-2015 Linda began volunteering with the Ombudsman Program which led to the positions of Assistant Coordinator and Coordinator of the Rensselaer County Ombudsman Program where she worked as an advocate for the elderly and mentally ill. She is the founder and president of “Nopiates” a committee that assists people suffering from the disease of opiate addiction and fights for legislative change and to educate the community. Linda left “Nopiates” to become the chairperson for the legislative branch of the Rensselaer County Heroin coalition. She is currently working with others to establish a helpline in Rensselaer County to assist those suffering from addiction find services. She meets regularly with legislators, Senators and congressmen to fight for legislative change to combat the heroin epidemic that is a national health crisis. She also addresses the stigma that is associated with addiction and mental illness. She has been married to her high school sweetheart for 45 years and has six children, a “Fresh Air” son, eight grandchildren and one great grandchild. She and her husband Jim live in West Sand Lake. Linda was inducted into the Hall of Fame last year.
John Mooney is an alumnus of the class of 1975 and the current President of the RCSD Board of Education. He is also a 2015 inductee of the Hall of Fame. John became a successful Real Estate Broker after graduating high school and has been a leading agent in his office for Howard Hanna (formerly Realty USA) for several years. He has been a respected member of the Rensselaer community for a long time, beginning with serving elected positions of 2nd Ward Alderperson from 1982-93, as a member of the Youth Bureau Board of Directors from 1991-99 and as a member of the Board of Assessment and Review from 1997 to present. He also has an active role with the Rensselaer Democratic Committee. He is a life member of the E.F. Hart Hose Fire Company and a member of the Knights of Columbus. He has also been President of the Benevolent Order of the Elks (BOE) since 2001 and has served as Treasurer for the Rensselaer Athletic Association. John has always supported the efforts and activities of the Alumni Association whole-heartedly. John has lived in Rensselaer all his life with his wife, the former Laurie Van Vorst ’76 where they raised their three children. They now have four grandchildren.
William M. (Bill) Stewart is an alumnus of the class of 1971 (the last class to graduate from the old Van Rensselaer High) and is a 2017 Hall of Fame inductee. A graduate of Siena College with a BA in Political Science, he went on to earn a Master’s degree in Business Administration from SUNY-Albany in 1977. For nearly 40 years Bill held senior positions in corporate communications in both the finance and higher education fields including KeyCorp and, for 20 years before retirement in 2015, with Excelsior College. Involved with several community and non-profit organizations, he has been a firefighter/EMT for the past 23 years with the DeFreestville Fire Department. He and his wife, Nancy, have two daughters and two grandchildren. To relax, he spends as much time as he can at the family camp in the northern Adirondacks.
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Benjamin Thorp is being inducted into the Hall of Fame for his leadership and accomplishments in career and community volunteerism.
Ben is an alumnus of the class of 1956. In high school he was in Honor Society, Student Council, played Intermural football and basketball, was in the Hi-Y club, on Library staff and won the World History Scholastic Prize.
Post high school, Ben attended RPI from 1956-61 nights until he could afford to go to the University of Maryland where he graduated in 1964 with a BS in Physics. In 1966, he did post graduate work in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Bridgeport, CT., in 1968, he returned to RPI for graduate degree work in Management and went on to the University of Tennessee for more graduate work in Marketing in 1971. He attended school while working for Huyck’s Fornex Division in Greeneville, TN, from 1964-73.
From 1973-75, he was Vice President & General Manager over 500 employees in three plant locations. He was Vice President & Director of Research at Huyck Corporation at various locations, including Rensselaer until 1981. For the next 25 yrs or so, Ben held high ranking managerial positions throughout the south working for companies such as Georgia Pacific Paper and Chesapeake Corp. and as a Renewable Products Consultant. He is a certified expert witness in Federal District Court and holds many patents, honors and awards in the field of paper technology and has authored many articles, and a book.
Ben’s accomplishments do not stop at his career. He belongs to many civic organizations and is on the board of directors of many associations and committees mostly related to the paper and bioenergy industry. For all his achievements, Ben was selected to be in Marquis “Who’s Who in America” and in the 2018 edition was selected to be an Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award winner. Ben currently is the Vice President and Co-Founder of the Bio-renewable Deployment Consortium (BDC) in Richmond, VA. Ben was nominated by his childhood friend and neighbor, alumnus Rodney Schroeder. He and his wife Diane live in Richmond, VA. Ben had a son who passed away and left a grandson.
Ben Thorp '56 accepts his award with his nominator Robney Schroeder