- Details
- Category: Hall of Fame
- Hits: 3527
John Mooney is being inducted into the Hall of Fame for his untiring dedication for many years to the Rensselaer School District and citizens of the city.
In high school John won the typing award as a freshman, and the History Award when he was a junior. He was Vice President of Student Council his senior year. Socially, we was prom prince and on dance and prom committees and a member of and officer of DECA (Distributive Education) club. Athletically, John played Intermural basketball his freshmen year and bowling for his first three years. John became a successful Real Estate Broker after graduating in 1975 and has been the leading agent in his office for Realty USA for the last 10 years. He has been a respected member of the Rensselaer community for a long time, beginning with serving elected positions of Second 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 plays an active role with the Rensselaer Democratic Committee. John was elected to the Board of Education in 1998 and was elected President in 2001and has served to the present. 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 was highly praised and endorsed by the two School Superintendents he’s worked with, Gordon Reynolds and Sally Ann Shields and by the Democratic Committee Chair, Patrick Riley. In addition, 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 VanVorst ’76 where they raised their three children. They now have three grandchildren. John enjoys golf and bowling in what little spare time he has. Laurie nominated him.
- Details
- Category: Hall of Fame
- Hits: 3198
Mary McNally is being inducted into the Hall of Fame posthumously, for her academic and professional accomplishments, her dedication to the students of the Rensselaer School System, and her belief in preserving the history of the city of Rensselaer.
Mary, or “Miss McNally” as many of us knew her, graduated from Rensselaer High School in 1928. While in high school she was in Honor Society all four years, in Theta Sigma Nu and the class play. She graduated and went to the NYS Teachers’ College, where she graduated in 1932, with honors. She was in the Math Club while in college. Mary started her teaching career right away and never left for 41 years! Most of that time was as a High School Business Teacher. Mary was active volunteering even during her teaching years. She was a member of District 3 of the State Federation of Business and Professional Women’s Clubs (BPW) and belonged to the Democratic Women’s Club. In the 60’s, she was appointed by Governor Harriman as a member of the Fort Crailo Memorial Commission. Mary was also a Board Member of the Rensselaer Girls Club. She was the first president of the Rensselaer Historical Society, and Chair of the Rensselaer Bicentennial Committee in 1974, helping with the parade and other activities. She was twice Regent of the Fort Crailo Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution, from 1951-4 and again from 1969-71, having been a member since 1940. While Regent, she helped create the Catherine Schuyler Chapter of the Children of the American Revolution. She was also a member of the National Retired Teachers Association and the National Association of Retired Persons. Mary also served on the Board of her church, the First Reformed Church of Albany. Mary retired in 1973 and passed away at the age of 67 years young. She lived in Rensselaer all her life, never married, and was the daughter of former mayor Clarence McNally and Grace McNally. She was nominated by her niece, Denise Roberts Wright ’83, English teacher at RHS and faculty advisor to the student Alumni Club.
- Details
- Category: Hall of Fame
- Hits: 4716
Stephen Mann is being inducted into the Hall of Fame for his exemplary high school career, his career achievements in government and his service to his community.
While in high school Steve excelled both in academics and athleticism. He was a member of Honor Society for three years, served on Student Council for all four years, and was treasurer his junior year. He won the DAR award and attended Boys’ State. He was editor of his class yearbook in 1989 and served on the Capital Projects Planning Board as a senior. He was on the Rams’ football team for four years, receiving the Key Club award the first two. He was also in the Computer and Math Clubs. He served on the city’s Youth Bureau Board of Directors his junior and senior year and was a finalist for Youth of the Year his freshmen and sophomore years. In his graduating year, he was Rensselaer’s Youth of the Year. Following high school, Steve earned his BA in Political Science and American History from SUNY Albany. His career in poly-sci began as the Public Affairs Coordinator for NYS Assemblyman Ron Canestrari from 1993-99. In ’99 he became the regional representative for US Senator Charles Schumer which he held until 2009. From then until now he has been the Deputy State Director for Sen. Schumer. Some of the highlights of his career have been as the lead for the fight to appropriate benefits for Line of Duty Deaths (LODD). He championed this fight with the Justice Department through Schumer’s office, resulting from the personal tragedy of the death of his friend and fellow firefighter, Mike Falkouski in 2005. Steve also has been at the forefront of Schumer’s efforts over the past 15 yrs to ensure that Henry Johnson (an Albany native) be awarded the Medal of Honor for WWI. Another important project Steve has been instrumental in having effected change for is for rail improvements for the Capital District, including the building of the 4th track at the Rensselaer Station and a fight to reclaim funds for the reconstruction of the Schenectady Station, the Livingston Ave bridge, and other upgrades. In addition to his career serving the citizens of NYS, Steve has done much volunteering for the city of Rensselaer. In ’94 he was part of the Planning Commission. He oversaw the city’s 10 parks and recreation program, including the reconstruction of Coyne Field. He’s been on the Board of Directors for the Boys and Girls Club and been an interior firefighter with Engine #4 from 1989 to present, serving as Lieutenant for 3 yrs, and Captain for 8 yrs. In 2005 he was named Assistant Fire Chief and served until 2010. In 1999 he also served on the North Greenbush Youth Board. Steve is the son of former RCSD Faculty member and 2012 Hall of Fame inductee, Ernie Mann ’65 and the late Janice Erlich Mann ’67. He lives in Rensselaer with his wife, the former Meg Carey ’89 and their two children. He was nominated by his family friend and former teacher, 2012 Hall of Fame Inductee, James Cochran ’66.