2008ANNUAL REPORT - Dutchess Community College

in memoryofRichard J. Sassi '74May 10, 1954-November 18, 2008Cathy Weeks '74, a lifelong friend of Richard’s, wrote and askedus to help celebrate his life. They both tried to visit DCC everyfew years because "…it was very special to us and it gave usmany great tools and experiences forour journey of life", Cathy said."Rich loved people, loved life, andloved doing whatever he could tomake the world a better place. Hewill be sorely missed by many…andthe world will be a lesser place withouthim." She added.Rich was a lifelong resident of Beacon.He graduated from Beacon HighSchool in 1972 and received hisAssociate’s in Criminal Justice fromDutchess in 1974. He continued toearn his Bachelor's from Mercy Collegeand his Master's from C.W. Post University. He was also agraduate of the 169th session of the FBI National Academy, ofwhich he was very proud. He retired as Chief of Police for theCity of Beacon after 33 years of service, where he worked hisway up through the ranks and served in various special capacitiesincluding being one of the original K-9 officers for the Cityof Beacon. He was also instrumental in obtaining a police motorcyclefor Beacon (a Harley of course). Rich was a past presidentof the Dutchess County Police Chiefs Association and the currentpresident of the New York State Retired Chiefs BenevolentAssociation. Rich was a co-founder of the New York StateCrimestoppers. He was a fifth-degree black belt in the World TaeKwan Do Association and an instructor with Beacon Recreation.Previously he was a member of the Elks Club, Lions Club, SouthernDutchess Exchange Club, and Beacon Volunteer AmbulanceCorps. He was an avid Harley rider, skier (both downhill andcross country), snowshoer, golfer, pianist, and Corvette enthusiast.He loved spending time with his family, dog Ace, and specialfriends. He was enjoying selling cars at Healey Hyundai inBeacon. He loved learning everything he could about theHyundai line and it showed in his sales accomplishments. Hewas always ready for a new adventure.David BergeronApril 24, 1970-January 20, 2009David attended Dutchess Community College after graduatingfrom Arlington High School in 1988. He was a lifelong resident ofDutchess County and owned and operated Mountain View Paintingin Poughkeepsie for 20 years. He married Kristine Martino onSeptember 14, 1996. They started a family and had two beautifulchildren, Sarah and Nicholas. David was an avid golfer and healso enjoyed fishing, skiing, the beach, working on his home, butmost of all, the time he spent with his family. He was his children'sbest friend, and the favorite uncle. David will be greatly missed byeveryone that knew him along his journey.'Incredible Marine' is laid to restBy Rasheed OluwaPoughkeepsie Journal - November 4, 2008Trevor Yurista, a Pleasant Valley native and a 1st lieutenant withthe U.S. Marines, died Oct. 27. He was killed when an improvisedexplosive device detonated while he was on duty in Afghanistan'sHelmand province, near the border of Pakistan. He was 32.Yurista was a graduate of Arlington High School and attendedDutchess Community College and John Jay College of CriminalJustice. He graduated from the U.S. Marine Corps officer candidatesschool in Virginia in 2005 and had been based in San Diego.He worked as a ground intelligence officer in Afghanistan and inIraq, where he served two previous tours.'Outpouring of Love'"The community and the Marines have been absolutely wonderful,"said Heather Sekunda, Yurista's sister. "There was an outpouringof love and support from family and friends as well as theMarine Corps, both in California and locally. We are incrediblyproud of my brother. He was an incredible person and an incredibleMarine."Yurista is the second local man to have been killed in Afghanistanin the past two months and the third in the past year. Second Lt.Mohsin Naqvi, a Newburgh native, was killed in September andSpc. Mark Palmateer, a Poughkeepsie resident, was killed in June.Curtis Moore, a former Arlington school district principal whoknew Yurista through middle and high schools, said he was overwhelmedby the number of Marines who knew him and spokeduring Monday's funeral."Trevor is truly an unforgettable person who had an effect oneveryone he came into contact with and today's (Monday's) servicesconfirmed that," Moore said. "Trevor was a dedicated andcaring leader who acted out of concern for our country and ourAmerican way of life."Copyright 2008, Poughkeepsie Journal. Reprinted with permission.2008 ANNUAL REPORT13 13