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Post a reply || Back to Message Board Andrew Zarutskie - Class of 1967
TOWN OF NEWBURGH – Long-time Newburgh Town Clerk Andrew Zarutskie died Tuesday afternoon. He was 69. Andrew suffered from diabetes and a heart condition. The popular town official served for much of his career as press secretary to former Congressman Benjamin Gilman. Town Supervisor Gil Piaquadio was saddened by his passing. “The whole town is morning the loss of Andy. He was a great public servant, very knowledgeable. Always tended to the needs of the public and it’s truly sad that he passed today. It will be a great loss.” Assemblyman Colin Schmitt said Zarutskie was “well known throughout the region” for his government career. “A man who earned the distinction ‘institution’ – he knew and was known by all. Andy’s support and friendship over the years has always meant a lot to me and will be missed.” In 1994, Zarutskie had his three days of national fame, appearing on Jeopardy. He won twice. Replies to this post
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Andrew John Zarutskie, died 4/2/2019 - Andrew was the Town Clerk of the Town of
Newburgh since Jan. 1, 2002, was born in Newburgh and a resident of the Town of
Newburgh since the age of 3, he attended Fostertown Elementary School prior to
the consolidation with the Enlarged Newburgh City School District. He is a
graduate of Newburgh Free Academy, Orange County Community College and The
American University, Washington DC. Andrew also studied on the graduate level at
SUNY New Paltz. Andrew was employed by United States Congressman Benjamin A.
Gilman from 1973 until 2001. While he served as Rep. Gilman's press secretary,
Zarutskie was a member of the Republican Communications Association, an
organization of Republican press secretaries. Zarutskie was a member of St.
Peter's parish on Capitol Hill, and was a member of the Capitol Hill Squash
Club. In early 2001, Zarutskie retired from the staff of Rep. Ben Gilman after
28 years of service. Subsequently, in May 2001, Andrew was endorsed for Town
Clerk by the Town of Newburgh Republican Committee. In 2001 Andrew was elected
town clerk, a position he held until his passing. Andrew belonged to the
Newburgh Kiwanis, and was a member of its Board of Directors. In October 2008,
he was presented with the "Kiwanian of the Year" award, voted upon by the entire
membership of the Newburgh Kiwanis. On Oct. 1, 2010, he became the 90th
President of the Kiwanis Club of Greater Newburgh, and served until Sept. 30,
2011. He was also a member of Knights of Columbus, Msgr. Henry O'Carroll Council
No 444. Andrew received the honors of the 4th Degree in an exemplification
honoring Pope Benedict XVI on March 24, 2007. He had served on the Board
Directors of Holden Home for Seniors from 2002 to 2010. In 2003, he served on
the Mardi Gras Gala Committee for the Orange Co. Chapter, American Heart
Association. He was a member of the National Association of Retired Federal
Employees (NARFE) Chapter 1914. He served on the Gilman International Library
Advisory Committee at SUNY Orange. He formerly served on the Town of Newburgh
Bicentennial Commission and the Board of Directors of Meals on Wheels of
Newburgh. Andrew served on the Town of Newburgh Republican Committee since 1971.
He served on the Executive Committee of the Orange County Republican Committee
representing the Town of Newburgh from 1979 to 1983, and again from 2005 to the
present. The Town of Newburgh Republican Committee awarded Andrew the
"Republican of the Year" award for 2009. In January 1994, he appeared three
times on the nationally syndicated television quiz program "Jeopardy!”, where he
was a two time winner. His appearance on "Jeopardy!" fulfilled a long time dream
and was what Andrew called "a totally unforgettable and unparalleled
experience." Andrew was a member of the Historical Society of Newburgh Bay and
the Highlands for over 35 years. He authored several articles which appeared in
the Orange County Historical Society Journal, and was an active member of St.
Patrick’s Roman Catholic Parish in Newburgh. He was a lay reader at both Our
Lady of the Lake Chapel and at St. Patrick's Church. Visitation will be held
from 2 to 5pm on Sunday, April 7 at Brooks Funeral Home, 481 Gidney Ave.
Newburgh, NY. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10am on Monday,
April 8, at Our Lady of the Lake, 433 S Plank Rd, Newburgh. Interment of
cremains will take place at a later date in Cedar Hill Cemetery, Newburgh.
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