LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Judge Robert Onofry upon the occasion of
his induction into the Port Jervis High School Alumni Hall of Fame

WHEREAS, Individuals who distinguish themselves in their profession and
in service to their community merit the highest commendation; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and fully in accord with its long-
standing tradition, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Judge
Robert Onofry upon the occasion of his induction into the Port Jervis
High School Alumni Hall of Fame; his outstanding accomplishments were
recognized on Sunday, October 13, 2013, at the 2013 Port Jervis High
School Alumni Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Banquet, which was
held at the Erie Trackside Manor in Port Jervis, New York; and
WHEREAS, The Port Jervis High School Alumni Hall of Fame annually
recognizes individuals who have achieved personal success and have made
a significant contribution to society, serving as role models to inspire
current and future generations of Port Jervis students; and
WHEREAS, Surrogate Judge and Acting Supreme Court Justice Robert A.
Onofry is the first ever Port Jervis resident to be elected to a coun-
ty-wide judicial office; after graduating with honors from the New
England School of Law, he became an associate with the law firm of
former Congressman Benjamin Gilman until 1976 when he returned to Port
Jervis to accept an associate attorney position with the firm of Cudde-
back, Cuddeback & Wells; two years later, he became a partner and the
firm name was changed to Cuddeback, Cuddeback & Onofry; and
WHEREAS, This distinguished man practiced law in Port Jervis for three
decades, expanding the practice's base to include several other areas of
law and trial work; in 1996, he embarked on his judicial career and was
elected Port Jervis City Court Judge where he established the first Drug
Court; and
WHEREAS, Twelve years later, Judge Robert Onofry was elected to a
ten-year term as Orange County Surrogate Judge, and the following year
he was appointed Acting Supreme Court Justice for the Ninth Judicial
District, encompassing five counties; he currently serves in the dual
capacity of Surrogate Judge and Acting Supreme Court Justice, where he
presides over all Surrogate, probate, guardianship cases and civil jury
trials in Orange County; and
WHEREAS, Robert Onofry has received extensive recognition for his
judicial writings, and regularly serves as a guest lecturer and panelist
for continuing legal education seminars for the New York Bar Association
and the National Business Institute; and
WHEREAS, Judge Robert Onofry has been called upon to contribute his
time and talents to countless civic and charitable endeavors and has
always given of himself unstintingly; and
WHEREAS, He is a former Rotary president, and has served on the boards
of directors of the former Mercy Community Hospital, the Biondo Founda-
tion, and the Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan Counties; in
addition, he provided 25 years of service to the Port Jervis School
District as a Board member, past president and school attorney; and
WHEREAS, Judge Robert Onofry has provided a tremendous legacy to Port
Jervis High School in the form of an educational endowment he estab-
lished to provide academic scholarships for Port Jervis graduating
seniors; he is also responsible for acquiring a 5.7 acre parcel of land
which now serves as the home of the Port Jervis Little League; and
WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his wife, Linda, their four
children, and their five grandchildren, all of whom feel privileged to
be a part of his life and rejoice in his achievements; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those individ-
uals who enhance the well-being and vitality of their community and
demonstrate a long and sustained commitment to excellence certainly have
earned the recognition and applause of all the citizens of this great
Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Judge Robert Onofry upon the occasion of his induction into the
Port Jervis High School Alumni Hall of Fame; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Judge Robert Onofry.