by Chris Wittstruck for the
Monticello-Goshen Chapter USHWA
As a daughter of privilege, Amy Bull Crist could have rested on
the laurels of her lineage. Rather, this remarkable first lady of Orange County
spent her entire life serving the interests of others. It is thus fitting that
George Casale, a tireless advocate for our industry and other worthy endeavors
should be the 2014 recipient of the award named in her memory. On
November 16 at the 56th Annual Awards Banquet of the
Monticello-Goshen Chapter USHWA Casale will be the 31st recipient of
the chapter’s Amy Bull Crist Distinguished Service
Award.
George N. Casale received his bachelor’s degree from St. Francis College, a
master’s from Long Island University and his juris doctorate from the
University of New Hampshire School of Law. For over 35 years, George enjoyed a
rewarding career as an insurance executive and practicing attorney. His work
and leadership positions in various professional societies led George to places
around the globe. His last employment was as a partner in Rivkin Radler LLP;
Long Island’s largest law firm.
Despite the time and intensity of George’s career, he always found time for
those things that were foremost to him: Family, friends, service… and Harness
Racing.
A lifelong horse enthusiast who as a young boy marveled at the western movie
genre on his television screen in Bay Ridge, Casale formed Brooklyn Cowboy
Farms, a training and boarding center in Farmingdale, New Jersey. From this
facility, George honed his skills as an amateur driver. The hard work paid off,
as George was the Monticello-Goshen chapter’s 2004 Amateur Driver of the Year,
as well as a three-time victor in the American Harness Club Finals.
George, however, is much more than an owner-driver. For over ten years, he
served as the Executive Director of the Standardbred Owners Association of New
York. Here, he championed the health, wellbeing and economic wherewithal of
countless drivers, trainers, grooms and owners competing in New York. He was an
all-important point person in negotiations with the New York State legislature,
especially its insurance and workers compensation committees, as well as with
the former New York State Racing and Wagering Board.
As George’s time commitments have lessened in retirement, his dedication to our
industry has strengthened. Casale presently serves as the Vice-President of Goshen
Historic Track and as volunteer counsel to the Harness Racing Museum and Hall
of Fame. He is a frequent speaker on behalf of the Historic Track and Museum
before Kiwanis clubs, chambers of commerce, schools and anywhere else he can
share his love and knowledge of Goshen’s favorite sport with others. He is also
a U.S.T.A. certified judge, and serves in the stand of Goshen’s favorite sport
with others. He is also a U.S.T.A. certified judge, and serves in the stand
during the July Grand Circuit meet.
Yet, as to his spirit of selfless altruism, George is no one-trick pony. As
Former Chairman of the Board for Daytop Village and Trustee of Daytop
International, Casale fostered the drug and alcohol recovery of countless teens
and young adults. As a member of Hofstra University’s Paralegal Advisory Board,
he followed in Amy Bull Crist’s footsteps as an education advocate. A licensed
pilot, George is a past President of the Orange County Pilots Association.
George is married for nearly 50 years to his beloved Anita. They have two sons,
Thomas and George, and three grandchildren Angelina, Christina, and Sabrina.
While home is Staten Island, the young gals love spending time with their
grandparents at George and Anita’s second home bordering on, where else; the
far turn of the Goshen Historic Track!
