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 the harness racing 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 of USHWA, Casale will be the 31st recipient of the chapter’s Amy Bull Crist Distinguished Service Award.
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, Casale enjoyed a rewarding career as an insurance executive and practicing attorney. His work and leadership positions in various professional societies led him 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 Casale’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 marvelled at the western movie genre on his television screen in Bay Ridge, Casale formed Brooklyn Cowboy Farms, a training and boarding centre in Farmingdale, New Jersey. From this facility, Casale 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.
Casale, however, is much more than an owner-driver. For over 10 years, he served as the executive director of the Standardbred Owners Association of New York. 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 Casale’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 favourite sport with others. He is also a USTA certified judge, and serves in the stand of Goshen’s favourite sport with others. He is also a USTA certified judge, and serves in the stand during the July Grand Circuit meet.
Yet, as to his spirit of selfless altruism, Casale 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, Casale is a past president of the Orange County Pilots Association.
Casale has been 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!
(USHWA)