Ulster County Residents Receive Awards for Dedication to their Communities
Kingston, NY- Ulster County Executive Mike Hein announces that James Gregston Greer of Walker Valley is this year’s “Ulster County Senior Citizen of the Year,” and Barbara Sarah of Kingston is recognized for the “Most Outstanding Contribution by a Senior Citizen” in 2016. “Ms. Sarah and Mr. Greer are two inspiring senior citizens who are appreciated for their caring and endless contributions to our community,” said County Executive Mike Hein. “I would like to congratulate these extraordinary indivduals and extend my deepest gratitude for their dedication in helping make Ulster County the finest place anywhere to live, learn, work, and raise a family.”
James Gregston Greer, better known as Greg, is a life-long resident of Walker Valley. He has a passion for traveling and has been to Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Aruba, Milano, Greece, and Turkey. He is a retiree from the New York State Corrections Department where he worked as a vocational supervisor and an instructor of masonry for 30 years. He has also been a New York State Fire Instructor for 44 years and a Town of Shawangunk Building Inspector for 3 years. As a NYS Fire Instructor he teaches courses such as: Firefight I and II (Basic firefighting skills Rope Rescue, Auto Extrication and Confined Spaced Rescue) in Fire Departments throughout Ulster County. He also taught Confined Space Rescue in Attica, Orange, Dannemore and Eastern Correctional Facilities. Greg has devoted his life to his community and works on numerous local projects and initiatives, including Driver Safety Awareness and helping found Verdeerkill Park in Shawangunk. He continues to be active in the Walker Valley Fire Department and serves on the Ulster County Fire Advisory Board. His neighbors and friends call Greg an “old fashioned go-to guy” who continues to help those in his community and beyond.
Barbara Sarah is a resident of Kingston, New York. She was born in Brooklyn, New York and has lived in New York State her entire life. She received her high school diploma, undergraduate and Master’s degrees in New York City. She worked as a school social worker on Long Island for 20 years. A breast cancer survivor since 1992, she began her second career as an Oncology Social Worker at the Health Alliance Hospital in Kingston. She organized and created the first breast cancer support group known as the Oncology Support Program (OSP) which serves all cancer patients. From 2000 to 2005, as a nationally recognized expert, she served as a consultant to the U.S. Department of Defense in evaluating proposals for funding innovative breast cancer treatments. In 2004, she won the New York State Governor’s Award for Innovation in Breast Cancer Research and Education. In 2007, she received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the New York Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers. Barbara has spent decades serving her community as an oncology social worker, counselor, teacher and mentor and has helped numerous cancer survivors improve their lives and achieve their highest potential. She continues to serve cancer patients and their families with generosity and compassion.
Both award winners will also be recognized in Albany on May 10th as part of New York State Recognition Day.
The theme for this year’s Older Americans Month is “Blaze a Trail.” This theme provides an opportunity to raise awareness about important issues facing older adults, and to also highlight the ways that older Americans are advocating for themselves, their peers, and their communities.
The Ulster County Senior of the Year Award is a yearly recognition of two of Ulster County’s outstanding senior citizens. Nominations are sent to the County Executive’s Office for the Aging Advisory Council from numerous groups in order to make selections. An Advisory Council Selection Committee chooses two senior citizens for the awards based on the significance of their contributions to the community.
Pictured below: James Gregston Greer and Barbara Sarah
