by John Manzi, publicity director, Monticello Raceway

Monticello, NY — After 44 years of dedicated service to Monticello Raceway Management, Inc., 94-year-old Clarence Wade of Middletown, N.Y., has called it a day.

Eileen Cavanaugh photo

Clarence Wade retired after 44 years of service to Monticello.

“I was so excited and thrilled by a many number of things, including the wonderful watch I received and the many other items that will help me remember my enjoyable years here at Monticello Raceway,” Wade said at his retirement ceremonies.

In 1970 Wade began his tenure at Monticello Raceway as a pari-mutuel clerk and in 1980 he began work as a barn-area security guard, and was working in that capacity up until his retirement on May 7.

“He treated everyone well and with respect and always seemed to enjoy his work,” noted Tim Conklin, the facility’s director of security who was Wade’s immediate superior.

The longtime resident of the area — 10 years in Middletown and 60 years in Goshen — Wade was also involved heavily in his communities. For 50 years he has been the chairman of his church, St. John-AUP in Goshen, and he has been a Mason for more than 60 years.

Recently, Wade was awarded a plaque for being the longest living member of the Grand Jury Committee where he has been serving for more than 50 years.

“He was a true gentleman in every sense of the word,” said Eileen Cavanaugh, the director of human resources at Monticello Casino and Raceway. “We always referred to him as Mr. Wade.

“I have to tell you a cute story about Mr. Wade,” she added. “When we (MRMI) began our 401K a while back, Mr. Wade, who was 85 years old at the time, was asked if he wouldn’t be better off keeping the money instead of investing it to which he answered: ‘I don’t think so. I have to plan for my retirement, don’t I?’”

On the day that his superiors and fellow workers at Monticello Casino and Raceway presented him with his gifts as he walked out of the employee entrance of the facility, he turned and said, “I would like to thank everyone for all the memories I have had here over the years. I will never forget all of you.”