Obituary of Hon. Angelo J. Ingrassia

Hon. Angelo John Ingrassia Middletown, New York March 23, 1923-March 21, 2013 Justice Angelo John Ingrassia entered into eternal rest in the comforting presence of his loving family on Thursday March 21, 2013, after a courageous battle against melanoma. Born in Brooklyn, New York on March 23, 1923 to the late Frank and Adrianna Desiderio Ingrassia. He married the love of his life, the former Judith Mary Bellows who survives him, on June 28, 1958 at St. Joseph's Parish in Middletown, NY. Justice Ingrassia(or as he simply liked to be referred to as "Judge") leaves behind a legacy of love. He is also survived by by his devoting and loving daughter, Maria Ingrassia of Middletown; his wonderful sons, Frank Ingrassia; Anthony Ingrassia, his wife Shanon & their daughters, Allison E. and Sara Mae Doherty of Montgomery, NY and John Ingrassia, his wife Annette and his beloved granddaughters, Shelby Elizabeth Ingrassia and Chloe Ann Ingrassia of Pine Bush, NY. He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Dorothy Hogan Ingrassia of Middletown; his brother-in-law, John Morrison of Ocala, FL; numerous cousins including Joseph Ingrassia and his wife Dorothy of Middletown; Tony Ingrassia of Woodbridge, VA; Dr. Frank LoGerfo and his wife Judith of Cambridge, Mass.; Dr. James LoGerfo and his wife Marianne of Seattle, WA; Marion Smith and her husband Roger of AZ; Jay Morreale of the state of Florida; Katherine Vergilio of Fishkill, NY; he is further survived by his nieces Susan Wickham and her husband Terry of Westtown, NY; Adrian Morishita and her husband Bill of Colorado; Margie Ingrassia-Garreto and her husband David ; Louisa Ingrassia; Dorothy Ann Matos and her husband Abel, all of Middletown, NY; his nephew Louis Ingrassia Jr. and his wife Jackie of Middletown; he is also survived by numerous great nieces and great nephews, including Justin; Louis III; Andrea; Sarah; Kristin and Allison. He also leaves behind his loyal golden doodle, Reilly James who remained at his side during his illness. The Judge was predeceased by his siblings, Marie Grace LaForge; Phyllis Ingrassia-Morrison; Louis Ingrassia; his brother in law, Herman LaForge; his niece, Mary Catherine Ingrassia; his great-nephew Jaden Abel Matos and his godson Dr. Stephen Faller. The Judge attended St. Joseph's School in Middletown before graduating from Middletown High School in 1939 where he played football and became a lifelong "Middie". He received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Metallurgical Engineering from the Virginia Polytechnic Institute. He then entered military service with the United States ARMY in 1943 and obtained the rank of First Lieutenant. He was a veteran of World War II and served as a tank unit commander leading a platoon with the 8th Armored Division in the European Theater of Operations. He and his division actively participated in major campaigns including Central Europe, Rhineland and Ardennes. He and his division participated in the liberation of slave labor camps established under the Nazi regime. After World War II ended with the unconditional surrender of Nazi Germany in May of 1945, he served as an Economics Officer with the Office of Military Government for Bavaria, serving in that capacity until he was honorably discharged from the United States ARMY in 1946. Upon his return home, the Judge entered Albany Law School at Union University where he graduated with L.L.B. in 1949. He was admitted to the New York State Bar in 1950 and became associated with the Middletown law firm of Bull Morreale & Ingrassia. In 1952 he became an Assistant District Attorney in Orange County and rose to the rank of Chief Assistant District Attorney from 1957-1966. He worked beside his best friend and mentor, the late Justice Abraham Isseks. In 1967, he was elected District Attorney of Orange County. He served as President of the New York State District Attorney's Association in 1968 and as a Director of the National District Attorney's Association from 1968-1970. Judge Ingrassia had also asked to recognize as a mentor the late Paul Morreale, who gave him his first job as an attorney and always taught him to follow his dreams. In 1971, he was appointed County Court Judge by the late Nelson D. Rockefeller. He won an election to a full ten year term later that year. He served as an Orange County Court Judge until 1982 when he won a seat as a Supreme Court Justice of the 9th Judicial District (Orange, Rockland, Dutchess, Putnam and Westchester Counties). In 1990, the Judge was appointed Chief Administrative Judge of the 9th Judicial District where he oversaw the daily operations of all Supreme, County, Family and City Courts in the 9th Judicial District. He remained in that post until 1999. Judge Ingrassia was also appointed Associate Justice of the New York State Supreme Court Appellate Term for the 9th and 10th Judicial Districts and served in that capacity from 1988-1999. He retired from the bench in December of 1999 due to his having reached the mandatory retirement age. In 2000, and up until the time of his death, he continued to practice law with the law firm of Larkin, Axelrod, Ingrassia and Tetenbaum, LLP where he served as "of council" and where he enjoyed working with his son, John. Judge Ingrassia served as a Special Master to the US District Court, Southern District of New York on various occasions from 2001-2006. Judge Ingrassia lived a full and active life sharing his many gifts and talents with the good people of Orange County, and the people of the 9th Judicial District and the State of New York. He was a member of the Howells Fire Department and the Middletown Elks Club Lodge 1097 where he was Past Exalted Ruler. In addition, he was a lifelong member of the American Legion Post 151 and a member of the Orange County Golf Club for more than 60 years. The Ingrassia Family would like to thank Mayor Joe and Linda DeStefano and Theresa DeStefano, John and Deb Botti and John's Harvest Inn, Chris Camillo and Camillo's at the Crossroads and Mario Balacich and 88 continued... 1 2 Next ...continued Charles Street Café for your meals, kindness and comfort during these difficult days. In addition, we want to thank our dear friends, Mary and Charlie VanGelder; Father Gus Graap O. Carm for your family masses, kindness and support; Sister Mary Claire Rhatigan; Dr. Michael Barra ; Sherri McGinn and the staff at the ani-mal hospital; the staff of Middletown Medical; Dr. Sandra D'Angelo and the entire staff of the Melanoma Services Department and Immune Therapy Clinic at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. We would also like to thank all of the skilled nurses and healthcare providers at Orange Regional Medical Center; Dan Grady; Dr. MaryEllen King and the entire staff of the Kaplan Family Hospice Residence, who tended to Dad's needs during his final days with compassion and kindness. Special thanks to Dad's friend and cardiologist for many years, Dr. Joseph Tenenbaum at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center and Monsignor John Budwick and the entire St. Joseph's Parish community in Middletown. The Judge also wished us to acknowledge the Hon. Alan D. Scheinkman, Administrative Judge for the 9th Judicial District and Nancy M. Mangold, Director of OCA Division of Professional Court Services and District Executive to the Hon. Alan D. Scheinkman for their kindness and support during his illness. Also, the family would like to thank The New York State Supreme Court Officer's Association for their service provided to the Judge over his many years of service and for their kindness continuing after his retirement. He also wished that the family acknowledge all of his many cousins and their children, friends and colleagues who visited, called and sent cards to rally him during his illness. Your showing of kindness will always be remembered. A family member said "we were so blessed to have Dad in our lives. His smile, his comforting touch, his wisdom, his ever present sense of humor and his constant devotion to his family as well as his dedication to the law and justice, will forever remain a testimony to a life well lived". Visitation hours will be held from 3-7 PM on Sunday March 24, 2013 and from 3-7 PM on Monday March 25, 2013 at the Ralston-Lippincott-Hasbrouck-Ingrassia Funeral Home, Inc. 72 West Main Street Middletown, NY. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 AM on Tuesday March 26, 2013 at St. Joseph's RC Church on Cottage Street in Middletown. Entombment with Military Honors will follow in St. Joseph's Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to St. Joseph's Church 149 Cottage Street Middletown, NY or to the Cardiovascular Research Fund, Attn: Dr. Joseph Tenenbaum, MD Millstein Heart Center, 173 Fort Washington Avenue New York, NY 10032. Arrangements by Ralston-Lippincott-Hasbrouck-Ingrassia Funeral Home, Inc. Middletown, New York 845-343-6023 Previous 1 2