Greer
Sarah
KINGSTON – Ulster County Executive Michael Hein has named the Seniors of the Year. James Gregston Greer of Walker Valley is this year’s Senior Citizen of the Year and Barbara Sarah of Kingston is recognized for the Most Outstanding Contribution by a Senior Citizen in 2016.
The awardees “are two inspiring senior citizens who are appreciated for their caring and endless contributions to our community,” said Hein.
Greer is a life-long resident of Walker Valley. He is a retiree from the state corrections department where he worked as a vocational supervisor and an instructor in masonry for 30 years. He has also been a state fire instructor for 44 years and a Town of Shawangunk building inspector. He continues to be active in the Walker Valley Fire Department and serves on the county fire advisory board.
Sarah was born in Brooklyn. 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 Oncology Support Program, which serves all cancer patients. From 2000 to 2005, as a nationally recognized expert, she served as a consultant to the US Department of Defense in evaluating proposals 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.
