Word came last Tuesday, as we were putting the issue of the Mid Hudson Times to bed, that Andy Zarutskie, Newburgh’s dedicated town clerk passed away. The breaking news delayed the production just long enough to force us to miss Jeopardy.
That seems fitting. One of the highlights of his 69 years on earth was twice winning the game show. A video of his 1993 appearance, featuring a youthful-looking Alex Trebeck, was playing during the wake on Sunday afternoon.
His success there was no surprise. He was very much a walking, talking encyclopedia. He would, for example, take the time to tell us why a published photo of FDR motoring through Newburgh on election day could not possibly have been taken in 1944, based on the other political signs in the photos. He knew his history, authoring the Wikipedia entry for the Town of Newburgh and all things pertaining to Republican politics.
If we had the misfortune to make a mistake in an issue, we could expect to hear from him, usually early Wednesday morning. And being on vacation was no excuse, his emails could find their way to Italy. When all was said and done, he made us better.
His quirks had a warm side as well. He would remember to thank the graphic designer for his semi-annual hydrant flushing ad or the editor for sneaking in a late-arriving press release or remembering to post his upcoming Saturday office hours. And each year, in early June, he would deliver his annual plea for a Flag Day editorial, but rather than wait for one, would buy an ad with his own funds, urging citizens to fly the flag on that day.
He could be fiercely loyal – to the late Congressman Ben Gilman (his former boss), to the Town of Newburgh Republican Committee and to any of the organizations that were fortunate enough to count him as a member. They included the Newburgh Kiwanis Club, the Knights of Columbus and the Board of Director of Meals on Wheels of Greater Newburgh.
His strongest ties were to the town clerk’s office. It was a job that he loved and worked hard to better serve the public, by adding Saturday hours and expanded services. A sign above the door reminded everyone that the office belonged “to the people of the Town of Newburgh.”
He was a true public servant.