MAMAKATING –– Dennis Greenwald, who served as Town of Mamakating Supervisor for 20 years, recently passed away. He will long be remembered for his contributions to the Town he served, as well as the County at large.

Former Town of Highland Supervisor Andy Boyar reflected on his time working with Greenwald on the County’s Board of Supervisors.

Boyar called him a fixture on the board and probably the most vocal Democrat, who spoke up on every issue. 

While the two men had different focuses on the board, Boyar said he relied on Greenwald for healthcare and social services issues, which Boyar said Greenwald was good at.

He also talked about how they worked together on the County’s solid waste issues and the establishment of the transfer stations and a recycling center. 

“He wanted every segment of the County to be able to have access to a transfer station nearby and for them to be able to get rid of materials so they didn’t clutter the roadside,” said Boyar.

Overall, he said when Greenwald spoke, people paid attention as he was one of the smartest guys in the room.

“He was an intellectual guy, humorous and had a saying for everything,” said Boyar. “He was very mentally agile and an interesting person.” 

Greenwald was also well-liked on the other side of the aisle.

Greg Goldstein, a former Sullivan County Republican Committee chairman, said Greenwald was always colorful and had good comments to make.

“He was passionate about what he was doing and really loved Sullivan County,” said Goldstein. “He was tough to beat and he always took care of his constituents.” 

Greenwald played a role in the development of social service programs offered countywide as well as the expansion of educational programs at SUNY Sullivan.

Furthermore, upon retiring from politics, he and his wife Elsa turned the small community pharmacy they owned into one of the largest privately-owned institutional pharamacies in New York State.

He served on the boards of Head Start programs, programs that supported developmentally disabled individuals, substance abuse intervention programs and charitable organizations. He was also the creative mind behind the Hudson River Long Term Pharmacy, an independent pharmacy dedicated to improving the quality of life for those living with developmental, emotional or physical disabilities.

In Mamakating

In addition to serving as supervisor in Mamakating for two decades, Greenwald was a volunteer fireman in the Wurtsboro Volunteer Fire Department and a board member of the Wurtsboro Hebrew Congregation.

He is remembered for having a vital presence in the establishment of the Town of Mamakating New Democratic Club, the overhaul and modernization of the Mamakating Town Park which became the home for annual Easter Egg hunts, Senior Citizen Events and free summer day camp for town residents, and in the building of the Mamakating Town offices and State Police barracks.

District 4 County Legislator, Nicholas Salomone, served on the Mamakating Town Board with Greenwald for over a decade. 

Salomone fondly  reminisced on the time he and Greenwald went to Albany to speak with the New York State Police, prior to the barracks being established in Wurtsboro, as well as the board setting aside funds each year for the new Town Hall, both of which are located off Route 209 today.

While Salomone said they did have a few disagreements over the years, everyone got along pretty well and were mostly non-partisan.

“He was always thinking,” said Salomone. “His mind was always going. He had very good leadership [skills] and had an answer for everything.” 

Salomone said that Greenwald and his wife would often spend a few hours every Sunday in different parts of the town meeting with constituents. 

He also said you could call Greenwald at anytime of day, even one or two o’clock in the morning, and he’d be available.

“He was a 24/7 guy,” said Salomone.

Mamakating Democratic Committee Chair and former  Mamakating Supervisor, Janet Lybolt, called Greenwald a pillar of their community.

“During his 20 years as Mamakating Town Supervisor, he was at the center or was the moving force of many projects that benefited the Town. He was instrumental in building Mamakating Town Hall and the State Police barracks. His commitment and contributions to the Town of Mamakating will not be forgotten.”