Ken Cashman, the 21-year editor of The Cornwall Local, died last week after a short illness.
Cashman, who until three weeks ago had continued to have a hand in The Local as our proofreader and Cornwall sports reporter, retired in June 2022.
In his tenure as editor, he worked with four Cornwall Central School District superintendents, six Town of Cornwall supervisors and four Cornwall-on-Hudson mayors. Of that he was very proud.
But, he most loved Cornwall sports, whether it be little league baseball play or high school football or following ‘local athletes’ as they went to college and beyond.
When he retired, he was named July's Citizen of the Month by County Executive Steve Neuhaus, was celebrated (and sang God Bless America at) a Sunday evening concert in Cornwall, served as the grand marshal of the July 4th parade, and collected quite a few citations and certificates of appreciation. In the last two years he remained a familiar face at local events, often singing for the crowds at those events.
He will be missed.
His services are early next week. Below is his obituary.
Kenneth W. Cashman
November 15, 1940 – August 13, 2024
Monroe, NY
Kenneth W. Cashman passed away at Garnett Health in Middletown. He was 83 years old. Son of the late Alvin and Sylvia (Hyman) Cashman, he was born in New York, NY on November 15, 1940.
Ken was an editor for The Cornwall Local in Cornwall, NY until 2022. Previously editor for Prentice Hall and Insurance agent for Met-Life. He was an elder at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Monroe as well as the Adjutant for the American Legion Post 353 in Cornwall.
Ken was well known for his articles in The Cornwall Local and his many years of volunteer work. He spent many years as a Sunday School Coordinator, President of MWLL, Monroe Cheese Festival board member, as well as many more. These activities didn’t go unnoticed as he was awarded honors by the village of Monroe and Orange County for his service.
Ken could often be found doing what he enjoyed the most and that was performing. He wrote and performed poems for occasions all over the county. He became a regular in Cornwall, known for singing God Bless America at sporting events and memorials. His favorite was singing Irish folksongs on Thursday nights at Loughran’s.
Left to cherish his memory are his children: William (Lynn) of Talbott, TN; Elise (Tim) Bass of Arlington, TX; and Keven (Samantha) of Fishkill, NY; and his grandchildren that he was so proud of: Jessica, Kyle, Kelly, Chloe, Danny, MauraLyn, Kara and Kenny.
He was pre-deceased by his wife Evelyn (Birkinshaw).
Visitation to take place on Monday, August 19, 2024, from 5:00PM – 8:00PM at Smith, Seaman & Quackenbush Funeral Home, 117 Maple Avenue, Monroe, NY. A Funeral Service will be held on Tuesday, August 20, 2024, at 10:00AM at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 21 Still Road, Monroe, NY, followed by Interment at Orange County Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 111 Craigville Rd., Goshen, NY
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the American Kidney Fund, National Scleroderma Foundation, Inheritance of Hope, or any local Little League
Arrangements by Smith, Seaman & Quackenbush, Inc. Funeral Homes, Monroe, New York. (845) 782-8185 or www.ssqfuneralhome.com